Newgarden urges IndyCar to introduce a lighter chassis in 2027

The two-time IndyCar Series champion Josef Newgarden believes the championship must have a lighter chassis when the next generation of cars are expected to debut in 2027. 

North America’s premier open-wheel series is aiming for an all-new chassis that year, having gradually evolved the current Dallara DW12 since its debut in 2012.

Team Penske driver Newgarden, who claimed his titles in 2017 and 2019, has highlighted various areas which need improving but cited weight as the most important element following the 2024 introduction of hybrid. He believes a lighter chassis is “critical” for IndyCar moving forward.

“For me, that’s the number one point,” said the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner. “I’ve expressed that, I think mostly everyone has expressed that.

“I think as you look at the car now, it’s developed into a pretty heavy race car. I’d like us to get the weight down – that’s ideal.

“Then producing a high-horsepower car, more than we have now, with a stable aero platform, it’s always the ingredients you look to have in this type of series.

“Our racing product has been quite good over the last four or five years, so I don’t think we want to disturb that or completely overhaul it, and they’re working on some new ideas on how to even improve that.

“Indianapolis is probably one of the places that could be mixed up the most, where we have a great racing product there but maybe it’s not completely what we want.

“Having more competition throughout the field and ease of passing throughout the field is something we’re lacking at the moment. You can pass up front between two cars, but not five deep.

“So improving those types of things is top of mind for the development group and what they’re going to put in front of us for ’27.”

Ed Carpenter, part-time driver and team owner of Ed Carpenter Racing, agrees that “it’s definitely time for something new” having “had this car for a long time”. 

He thinks the new chassis should help to continue the style of racing IndyCar currently showcases, yet recognises there is still a long way to go in order to achieve that. 

“I think it’s critical that we don’t make any mistakes in the new car process that get us away from the style of racing we have right now because I think it’s the best product in the world,” said Carpenter.

“But it does need a bit of a refresh and a reset to make sure we’re staying in front of technology and everything else.

“It’s something that needs to happen, but we’re all still learning a lot about it. We’ve seen some of the preliminary stuff, but even what we’ve seen, I think, is still not near a finished product.

“We’re all excited to see how this project develops, as well, which I’m sure we’ll see more and more as we get into this year.”

Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward said drivers want the new chassis to be “low, fat and loud” while revealing that there will be a “dinner somewhat soon or a couple of drivers are going to get together with some of the leadership” to discuss plans.