Canadian James Hinchcliffe had his first taste of an IndyCar Dallara Honda when he tested for two days with Newman/Haas Racing at the Sebring International Raceway.
Joined by veteran racer, Oriol Servia the duo braved some rough weather but successfully worked through their respective test programs.
The 24-year-old Hinchcliffe was impressed with the power of the IndyCar in comparison to his Indy Lights car.
“The biggest thing that impressed me in those first few laps was the engine,” declared Hinchcliffe.
“The increase in power from the Lights car was significant, so the first time going flat-out was a bit of a wake up call!”
Asked if he was impressed or intimidated by running alongside veteran Oriol Servia, the young Canadian was adamant to say that the Spaniard was helpful all trough the test.
“It was great for me because he (Servia) is such an experienced guy that I could pull so much from him, especially on day one. By day two, I was at a level where the team could evaluate a change with both drivers.”
Although the test was positive for Hinchcliffe, it doesn’t mean that he will become a team’s driver next season.
“Certainly after tested with NHR it would be really hard to swallow not being on the grid next year. Having said that, there are still a lot of things that have to fall into place for that to happen but we are incredibly focused on achieving that goal,” said Hinch.
The driver from Toronto totalled 147 laps in the Dallara and recorded a best time of 52.8 seconds as the temperature never rose above 50 degrees, but the gusty winds subsided.
Oriol Servia completed a two-day total of 136 laps, with a best of 53.0 seconds.
Joined by veteran racer, Oriol Servia the duo braved some rough weather but successfully worked through their respective test programs.
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| James Hinchcliffe in the Newman/Haas Racing IndyCar at Sebring. (Photo: Newman/Haas Racing) |
The 24-year-old Hinchcliffe was impressed with the power of the IndyCar in comparison to his Indy Lights car.
“The biggest thing that impressed me in those first few laps was the engine,” declared Hinchcliffe.
“The increase in power from the Lights car was significant, so the first time going flat-out was a bit of a wake up call!”
Asked if he was impressed or intimidated by running alongside veteran Oriol Servia, the young Canadian was adamant to say that the Spaniard was helpful all trough the test.
“It was great for me because he (Servia) is such an experienced guy that I could pull so much from him, especially on day one. By day two, I was at a level where the team could evaluate a change with both drivers.”
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| (Photo: indycar.com) |
Although the test was positive for Hinchcliffe, it doesn’t mean that he will become a team’s driver next season.
“Certainly after tested with NHR it would be really hard to swallow not being on the grid next year. Having said that, there are still a lot of things that have to fall into place for that to happen but we are incredibly focused on achieving that goal,” said Hinch.
The driver from Toronto totalled 147 laps in the Dallara and recorded a best time of 52.8 seconds as the temperature never rose above 50 degrees, but the gusty winds subsided.
Oriol Servia completed a two-day total of 136 laps, with a best of 53.0 seconds.