With the start of the 2024 IndyCar season just around the corner in St Petersburg, we’ve asked our team of IndyCar writers and contributors to share their thoughts and predictions. From the championship winner to the battle between Chevrolet and Honda, they’ve provided some interesting insights. Take a look and let us know your own predictions in the comments section.
Let’s start by discussing the clear favorite for the championship. Alex Palou had an incredible season last year, with consistently strong performances. There’s no doubt that he has the talent to repeat his success this year.
However, our experts also want to highlight some other contenders. Marcus Ericsson, the new signing for Andretti, has caught the attention of our correspondent Jack Benyon. Benyon believes that Ericsson could surprise everyone this year, especially with the strong qualifying performance of the Andretti car.
When it comes to the Indianapolis 500, our panel had a difficult time making predictions. McLaren’s Pato O’Ward received two votes, with both Josh Suttill and Charley Williams believing that he has what it takes to secure a win. Sam Smith, our Formula E correspondent, chose Kyle Kirkwood as his pick for the Indy 500 winner, citing the potential for a zero-to-hero story.
In terms of the number of winners we can expect this season, our writers are divided. Some believe that we could see as many as 12 different winners, while others think that eight is a more realistic number. Regardless, the consensus is that there will be plenty of exciting races and new faces on the podium.
The battle between Chevrolet and Honda in the manufacturers’ championship is another topic of discussion. Chevrolet ended Honda’s dominance in 2022 and repeated their success in 2023. However, opinions are divided on who will come out on top this year. Some believe that Honda will make a comeback, while others think that Chevrolet will continue their winning streak.
Our writers also made some bold predictions for the season. JR Hildebrand, in particular, had two interesting predictions. He believes that Callum Ilott will secure a pole position in St Petersburg and that an Andretti car will be in the championship battle with two races remaining.
Overall, our writers are excited for the upcoming IndyCar season. They expect thrilling races, unexpected winners, and intense competition between teams and manufacturers. It’s going to be a season to remember.