4-bangers are not the wave of the future.
Methanol is very toxic.
The last Offy entry at Indy was in 1983, closing the book on a phenomenal 57-year history. As far as I know this was the last 4 cylinder used in INDYCAR. Then came the V-6 Buick engines and the Penske V-8 Pushrod Chevrolet. After that they went to V-6.
The Hybrid Assist Unit was unveiled at Mid-Ohio on July 7 midway through the 2024 season but will be utilized at every IndyCar Series race in 2025. The hybrid assist – developed specifically for IndyCar through a first-of-its-kind collaborative effort by Chevrolet and Honda – provides an added boost of 120 horsepower when used with traditional Push to Pass on road and street circuits. Used in tandem, a total of 800 horsepower is available to drivers for the first time in two decades.
New this season, use of the hybrid power unit will be allowed to start or restart the 2.2L twin-turbocharged V6 engines on pit lane. As in 2024, hybrid assist will be allowed to restart a stalled race car on the race track on non-ovals.
Gasoline is not exactly safe either.