The new IndyCar season commences on Sunday with its traditional St. Petersburg season-opener. And all eyes will be on Alex Palou, as he seeks to defend the title he won in imperious fashion last year with Chip Ganassi Racing.
The Spaniard had been expected to line up this season with Arrow McLaren SP, but a U-turn on that planned switch to remain with Ganassi will ensure it has the champion driver from three of the last four years in its ranks. With Palou's contractual saga now a thing of the past, there's plenty for keen IndyCar observers to keep track of this year as the championship approaches the dawn of a new hybrid age.
Here are five of the key themes to follow in 2024.