What is push in IndyCar?Driver Overtaking Assist Explained
Jack NicoleSeptember 20, 2021
Photo by David Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Indycar drivers often refer to “push-through” during the race to help them. What is driver assistance, when can it be used and for how long? Do other series have similar systems?
IndyCar Push System Explained
The push-through system in the IndyCar provides a brief extra power to the engine when the driver requests it.
Each driver has 200 seconds of acceleration time available, which they can use whenever they feel it on the track.
It can be used to attack or defend an opponent’s driver.
This system is also known as the overtaking button in IndyCar.
Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Pushing to overtake can be especially effective when a driver is trying to undercut in a pit stop loop.
By pitting a lap or two ahead of the car in front, the driver can use newer tires and push to transfer power.
The goal is to close the time gap with the leading cars and overtake them in the loop of track positions.
Is there anything like a push pass in other racing series?
The closest relationship to the IndyCar push-through system is found in Formula 1 and the electric racing series Formula E.
The Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) was first introduced in 2009 and initially caused problems for F1 teams.
Slightly different from IndyCar’s push transfer, which absorbs kinetic energy lost during braking and stores it, KERS is used by only four teams.
Kimi Raikkonen won the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix in part because his Ferrari was equipped with KERS, which allowed him to overtake Giancarlo Fisichella’s KERS-free Force India.
Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images
The system was introduced again in 2011 until 2013 in its original form.
F1 switched to a 1.6-liter V6 turbo hybrid in 2014, and the system was beefed up.
Power output is doubled to 160 horsepower.
The driver can use energy when needed and can charge the system.
F1 also uses DRS as an overtaking aid, but it can only be used in certain conditions and in certain places on the track.
Attack Mode in Formula E
When Formula E switched to a car that could complete an entire race in the Gen2 era, it needed something to spice up the action.
Changing cars midway is exciting and chaotic, and is replaced by attack mode.
The system provides a power boost to the car for a total of eight minutes of use throughout the race.
These eight minutes can be divided into two sections of four minutes, four sections of two minutes, etc…
To activate it, the driver must go offline through a corner and walk through the activation area.
Photo by ABB FIA Formula E/Handout/Getty Images
They must go completely through both activation wires to ensure they have a power boost.
FE also has a “fanboost” feature, where fans can get a brief power boost by voting for their favorite driver.
A good idea in principle, but the system has been toyed with by fans, who often reward the same driver for a power boost every race.
Is there anything to tell us about this article?
Jack usually writes or reads anything related to motorsport – from Formula 1 to NASCAR to British truck racing. His work as a motorsport reporter has been published in prestigious outlets such as Autosport, Motorsport.com and Motorsport News. In addition to racing, he is an avid amateur astronomer, podcast listener, and enjoys walks in the park with his three dogs.
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