The NTT IndyCar Series has confirmed that future races will be limited to participants that hold a charter, with non-chartered teams not allowed to participate.
The new rule will go into effect for the 2027 season, restricting fields to 25 cars beginning that season.
Currently there are no teams competing that do not hold a charter, with PREMA being the only team that did so last year.
The change coming next season will ensure that a similar situation continues with no teams competing other than those already established within the series.
“Beginning with the 2027 IndyCar series season, entry fields at all races outside of the Indianapolis 500 will be limited to chartered teams only,” IndyCar said in a statement.
“This decision was reached after thoughtful consideration with key stakeholders and, in particular, series suppliers who are making plans for the upcoming season as all parties look to build the series’ health and on-track competition.”
Effects of a charter system
Charters were awarded to established teams beginning last season, guaranteeing them a spot on the grid for all races except the Indianapolis 500.
They also allow teams to have an added value for participation in the series, giving them a tangible asset to sell should they decide to exit the series.
25 charters were initially assigned, and starting in 2028 the series’ two engine manufacturers Chevrolet and Honda will each have one charter assigned to them.
Each manufacturer is expected to partner with an existing team to field a full time entry, bringing the total field size up to 27.
The exclusion of non-chartered teams was an expected outcome, with the current rulebook dictating that field sizes are limited to 27 cars.
Rule 8.3.1.1 dictates a never-used last chance qualifying procedure where non-chartered entries compete for the grid positions that remain after all chartered entries are given their guaranteed entries.
With a ‘full field’ of 27 chartered entries decided, a shift in the limitation from a set number to simply allowing only chartered entries is a natural adjustment.
The new rules remove a method for new teams to gain entry into IndyCar, however, and now requires them to purchase a charter from another team in order to compete.
There will also no longer be a way for teams to field a one-off extra entry in any races except the Indy 500.
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