Cassidy, contemporary off a runner-up end for Envision Racing in final weekend’s System E spherical in Hyderabad, examined the Honda-powered Ganassi automobile of 2021 IndyCar champion Alex Palou at Sebring on Tuesday.
Driving the only Honda-powered automobile in motion within the eight-car take a look at, the 28-year-old New Zealander turned 156 laps of the 1.7-mile brief course, and completed the day zero.636s off high spot however inside zero.4s of the second place automobile.
Cassidy, who spent 4 seasons in Tremendous System, successful the championship in 2019, admitted it took a few hours to adapt again to highly effective open-wheel vehicles, however that by the afternoon he was capable of give his finest.
“I used to be actually enthusiastic about at present due to my Tremendous System expertise,” he instructed Autosport.
“I’ve been out of these vehicles for over three years now, so I undoubtedly wanted the morning to blow off the cobwebs. However from lunchtime onwards I felt fairly good, and it was fairly attention-grabbing to really feel the similarities and the variations.
“Due to that Tremendous System expertise, my neck was effective, however I’ve know this take a look at was arising so I used to be placing within the work crucial, and bodily I felt effective. Actually the largest subject was jet-lag.”
Cassidy stated the main target of this Sebring outing was working by way of take a look at objects for Ganassi, and needed to mould his driving fashion across the inherent dealing with traits of an IndyCar relatively than tweaking the automobile to swimsuit him.
The largest problem, remarked Cassidy, was the Sebring brief course itself – which featured “funky little corners” that he had not been used to in System E.
“It was a little bit of each, however I used to be actually extra attempting to regulate myself to the IndyCar,” he stated. “The staff may be very profitable, they actually know what they’re doing, and so they had growth objects that they needed to undergo.
“I attempted my finest to do this for them, and supply the most effective suggestions I may, and extra keep on with their plan than change something for myself. And truly, I feel that was good for me.”
Nick Cassidy, Envision Racing
Picture by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
“Sebring has acquired a few funky little corners, and bumps that have been simply new for me, as a result of our types of circuits are very totally different. The automobile itself is one thing I felt very snug with.”
Ought to he determine to switch to IndyCar in some unspecified time in the future, Cassidy stated that he could be all in and desperate to race on all varieties of circuit – together with ovals, which some European-focused drivers transitioning to IndyCar have elected to keep away from.
The Kiwi is conserving his choices open for 2024, nonetheless; he’s at present within the third and last 12 months of contract with Envision and, though he admits IndyCar is of curiosity, he felt “fortunate” to be with Envision in System E and needed to make sure his subsequent deal was a long-term answer.
“If I’m going to be right here, I’m going to be dedicated; the Indy 500 is one thing that everybody ought to dream to win. It’s one of many greatest races on the planet.
“I grew up racing speedway midget vehicles – on the grime in ovals. Clearly a superspeedway in an IndyCar is kind of a bit totally different, however I really like all oval racing and I wouldn’t be afraid of tackling ovals in an IndyCar.”
“I’m conserving my choices open, for certain,” he stated. “If I have a look at my profession, I’d say I’m fairly loyal when it comes to the groups.
“I used to be with TOM’s for six years, I’m in my third 12 months with Envision in System E, so I would like my subsequent contract to be house for a very long time when it comes to staff and championship.
“I actually preferred the IndyCar, I feel the championship’s actually cool, and I like longer races, the refuelling, having to cope with twin tyre compounds, and so forth.
“However I’ve acquired to evaluate my choices and every little thing’s open, so I’ll have to attend and see. I’m actually fortunate the place I’m at Envision, we glance actually aggressive, and the championship’s robust. I’m very optimistic, however it’s arduous to say way more proper now.
“What I can say is that it was nice at present to check for one of many world’s most profitable racing groups – a giant honour to drive certainly one of Ganassi’s vehicles.”
