EV battery safety firm backs Andretti for IndyCar series

The 17-race 2022 IndyCar series has EV battery thermal management firm KULR Technology Group as the main sponsor for Marco Andretti’s No. 98 Honda.

Kiwi Scott Dixon joins the new season just one win shy of equalling the 52 race win record of Mario Andretti, the father of Michael Andretti who heads Andretti Autosport and grandfather to Michael’s son Marco.

Last year, KULR joined Andretti Technologies (ATEC), the advanced technology arm of Andretti Autosport, and sister team Andretti United Extreme E, as the official thermal management and battery safety technical partner.

The partnership promotes battery safety and sustainability.

KULR’s expertise with lightweight, high-performance thermal management solutions through space exploration provides the opportunity to implement new cooling technology, battery cell architecture and testing within motorsport’s high performance and high-power applications.

“We’ve worked with KULR through Andretti Technologies for over a year now, including last year’s Indy 500 with Marco, and we are thrilled to now welcome them as a primary sponsor to our IndyCar program,” Andretti Autosport chairman and chief executive Michael Andretti says.

“The development potential of KULR’s technology is exciting given their expertise in high-performance thermal management solutions and understanding of battery safety.

KULR president and chief operating officer Keith Cochran says the primary sponsorship arrangement extends the company’s partnership with Andretti Autosport and further demonstrates the breadth of applications for KULR’s technologies.

Marco Andretti is set to make his 17th Indy 500 start where he has recorded eight top-10 finishes and four podium results, this time looking to gain his first Indianapolis 500 victory.

He returns to the track for open testing on April 20, ahead of the official Indianapolis 500 opening day on May 17 with the 106th Running of the Indianapolis presented by Gainbridge on May 29.

The 2022 Indycar season is due to start at St Petersburg on February 25-27.