IndyCar evaluates cost-effective aluminum wheels to replace magnesium by 2026 amid vendor challenges

The current generation IndyCar features magnesium wheels because of its lightweight properties. However, a change might be on the horizon as IndyCar evaluates the cost-effective aluminum wheel option with the cost of the magnesium wheels burdening the team and the vendor challenges that have surfaced as a result.

Magnesium wheels are the choice for high-performing vehicles because of their lightweight properties and ability to still maintain the same level of rigidity as other available compounds. Both F1 and IndyCar have been using the forged magnesium wheel since their invention in the '90s.

However, IndyCar uses a specialized magnesium front wheel with an aero lip that assists the flow of the wind along the sides of the car. Wheels are responsible for producing a lot of dirty air with their rotational force which further messes with the aerodynamics of the cars.

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However, as per Racer, the availability of magnesium wheels that suit the IndyCar specifications is becoming increasingly hard to supply for the vendors. This comes as a result of the large volume of specialized wheels required for all the IndyCar entries. O.Z. Racing and BBS are the two suppliers to IndyCar wheels with O.Z. being the larger one.

As a result, IndyCar is considering a move to a cheaper alternative, aluminum wheels. The IndyCar management is reportedly in talks with the teams to discuss the same and finalize the next step. IndyCar is also in talks with O.Z. Racing over the specifications of the proposed aluminum wheels.

The source suggests that IndyCar has asked for dimensions similar to the current wheels with priority set on tipping the scales of the aluminum wheel at the same weight as the magnesium ones.

The pros and cons of the magnesium wheel in IndyCar

The wheel is arguably the biggest chunk of the unsprung mass of a car. The lighter the wheel is, the less energy is required and lost in spinning it as it delivers the power produced by the engine onto the tarmac. Losing weight from the unsprung mass has a bigger performance impact on a car than losing weight anywhere else as the rotational force required to move drops.

Magnesium is the lightest metallic structural material available and it is 1.5 times less dense than aluminium while having similar specific strength. Magnesium also has a high damping capacity, i.e. the ability to dissipate any vibrations.

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While all the pros are great for racing, the biggest con is the availability and price of the magnesium wheels. Magnesium isn't as abundant as aluminum making the availability harder and the price much higher than its counterpart.

A set of magnesium wheels cost an IndyCar team around $6600 with a single piece costing $1650. A team reportedly starts the season with a minimum of 10 to 12 sets of tires and keeps buying new ones as the tires face wear and tear with use or are damaged in a crash. In comparison, the proposed aluminum wheels will cost the IndyCar teams somewhere around $750 for a set.