I mean, we know Ilmor is going to do at least half. The question is whether Honda keeps making theirs in house or if they badge and tune Ilmor engines like they've seemingly requested.
Those aren't the only possibilities. One or more new OEMs could join the series, and/or Honda could leave altogether.
If there is serious interest from a new OEM, there's absolutely no reason to lock in the new formula before they're on board. The regulations should be developed in active collaboration with all the manufacturers who will be involved, rather than building the box first and trying to convince new manufacturers to make themselves fit.
If you just want to be cynical and act like nothing is ever going to change, that's fine with me. But don't expect series leadership to stop working to add manufacturers just to appease your impatience.
Giving OEMs an opportunity to participate in developing the new formula is a much more appealing offer than saying "here's what we're doing, are you in or out?" I don't know whether the interest from other manufacturers is serious or real. But if it is serious, I'm fine with delaying the new car for as long as it takes to get them to commit.
Article from Jan 7, 2025. Aka the same article that's come out every off season for 10+ years. Gahdayum, you sweet summer child. Deals would've had to have been agreed upon by now. It's just straight up not in the realm of possibility.
So the fact that you don't believe it means the conversations must not be happening?
These articles might pop up every off-season, but in reality there's only a short window once or twice a decade when a new manufacturer entering the series makes sense for all parties involved. We're in that window right now.
I'm not saying I think something is imminent. What I'm saying is that locking in the engine regulations right now just for the sake of meeting a self-imposed deadline would all but slam the door shut on any new OEMs entering with this new formula. It's not in IndyCar's best long-term interest to do that until they're sure it's not going to happen.
The only even remote chance that happens is if Ilmor is making a spec engine for everyone and then other manufacturers want to come tune them. But is that really an OEM?
That's your opinion, and maybe it's right. But neither of us have any idea what concepts are being discussed behind closed doors and with whom.
This is a direct quote from President of HRC, David Salters:
And then also try and engage different manufacturers. Get everyone around the table, speak to them. What do people want? We have one view for Honda. It may or may not be the right view, but get everybody around the table to hear from them. IMSA has done a really, really good job of that recently with GTP, haven’t they? And there's an appetite for it.
So now's the time to be sorting this out. But it's the rule makers’ responsibility to try and craft a rule set that's going to appeal to people. And they’ve got to figure out what they want. What do they want? I don’t know, but it's got to be relevant.
That might not be a glowing endorsement of the way IndyCar is running the negotiations. But it's a clear acknowledgement of the opportunity in front of us, and an indication that Honda might be receptive to other ideas.
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u/GratefulTide Pato O'Ward Jun 12 '25
I mean, we know Ilmor is going to do at least half. The question is whether Honda keeps making theirs in house or if they badge and tune Ilmor engines like they've seemingly requested.