Ryan Hunter-Reay knows a thing or two about IndyCar introducing a revolutionary new package. After all, the last time this happened, in 2012, the American was crowned series champion.
“The new car looks the part,” said Hunter-Reay speaking to Autoweek. “So far, it’s been great behind the wheel, just a lot less down force.”
The concept behind the new aerokit is relatively simple. With less downforce, drivers will have to work harder to regulate power output through corners, essentially making the car harder to drive and elevating the skill level required to drive an IndyCar machine.
Also, the cleaner upper surface translates to less turbulent air in their wake, which should allow cars to follow each other more closely and encourage overtaking, especially at road courses.
“One thing’s for sure, because we have lighter downforce we’re sliding around more and we’re using up those Firestone tires quicker", explained the Andretti Autosport driver.
"There will be more tire degradation, which I think will, in my professional opinion, lend itself to better racing. I think it’s going to be where you might have some guys that are fast in the beginning of the stage then fall off and you’re going to have the mix of tire life."
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