Following a series of meetings between team owners, Chevrolet and Honda and IndyCar officials, IndyCar has ordered teams and manufactures to run the same aero kit configuration in both qualifying and the race. The boost level has been dropped to 130 kPa from the 140 kPa originally set for qualifying.
“Safety for drivers and fans is the top priority for IndyCar and we will continue to be proactive in our research and development to improve all safety aspects of our sport,” said Mark Miles, CEO, Hulman and Co.
A number of Honda teams owners were reportedly unhappy with the decision but Derrick Walker, vice-president of competition of IndyCar, reiterated that it was a matter of being fair to both manufactures.
“I can assure you that Honda doesn’t believe that they have an issue,” said Walker. “They will admit that we don’t have that answer.”
“I think you have to accept the fact that just because we had three incidents and they could be coincidental involved with one manufacturer doesn’t necessarily follow that it is only that one manufactures problem.”
Honda Performance Development had this statement: “Even though we have every confidence in our design, we support IndyCar in their efforts to improve safety.”
The schedule is now as follows:
- 1:30 p.m. ET, Group 1 of qualifying draw will run a 30 minute practice session
- 2:00 p.m. ET, Group 2 half of qualifying draw will run a 30 minute practice session
- 2:45 p.m. ET, Group 1 technical inspection begins
- 3:15 p.m. ET, Group 2 technical inspection begins
- 3:15 p.m. ET, Qualifying will begin with all cars through the line one time
- Group 2 cars will have the opportunity to qualify 20 minutes after the end of group 1 qualifying
The Fast Nine shootout for the pole has been scrapped, but there will be a shootout to determine the final row of the field and who will be the lone car that is bumped.
