INDYCAR: Series Tweaks Indy Aero Regs, Makes Boost Allowance

IndyCar

INDYCAR: Series Tweaks Indy Aero Regs, Makes Boost Allowance

INDYCAR VP of Technology Will Phillips updates SPEED.com on an adjustment to Indy's aero regulations, and confirms a temporary boost increase for Lotus.

Marshall Pruett | Posted May 16, 2012

Ana Beatriz's Andretti Autosport crew members make a rear wing angle change on pit lane during practice on Tuesday at the Indy 500. (Photo: Marshall Pruett)

INDYCAR, sanctioning body for the IZOD IndyCar Series, has made a slight adjustment to its Speedway aero regulations, officially reducing the maximum rear wing inclination from negative 11 degrees to negative 10.5 degrees.

The change will not have a practical effect on teams searching for more speed.

“The rear wing regulations, as it stood, and it has been changed, allowed zero to minus 11 degrees," said Will Phillips, INDYCAR's VP of Technology. "The parts available from Dallara only went to [minus] 10.5 degrees, and rather than have teams trying to do things they shouldn’t do [to get the extra half-degree], we tightened up the rules to reflect the reality of what can be achieved with the rear wing as it was delivered."

Reports of the two Lotus-powered entries driven by Jean Alesi and Simona de Silvestro being allowed to use the higher qualifying boost level all week long were refuted by Phillips, who clarified that an exception was made for the ex-Formula One driver.

"It is not correct," he said. "It is correct we allowed [Alesi's Fan Force United team] a short period of running at qualification boost as they had boost pressure issues and needed to get on top of them."

Phillips also confirmed that the temporary 40-50 hp increase likely coincided with Alesi's turning his fastest lap of the month (211.5 mph) on Monday which also allowed the Frenchman to pass and complete his third and final phase of the Rookie Orientation Program.

Marshall Pruett is SPEED.com's Auto Racing Editor, covering IndyCar and sports cars. He also contributes to Road & Track and Racecar Engineering. Follow him @MarshallPruett on Twitter.