Rossi and Pigot can’t wait for Tuesday

Alexander Rossi

While Sunoco Rookie of the Year contenders Conor Daly (Dale Coyne Racing) and Max Chilton (Chip Ganassi Racing) were on track and learning in the cockpit during the recent promoter test at Phoenix International Raceway, fellow Verizon IndyCar Series rookies Alexander Rossi and Spencer Pigot were acclimating to the teams they will compete with in 2016.

Pigot, the 2015 Indy Lights champion, will drive in at least three races for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing this season, but spent much of his time watching the testing action from team-mate Graham Rahal's pit box.

"I'm just trying to learn as much as I can," said Pigot, who will debut in the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in two weeks, but is not slated to race in the Phoenix Grand Prix on 2 April.

Meanwhile, Rossi – who was named to drive Andretti Autosport's #98 Honda for the entire season after his F1 plans fell through – watched Friday's evening session at PIR from the spotter stand atop the turn one suites with race strategist Bryan Herta and engineer Tom German.

Spencer Pigot

"I'm here in an observatory role," the former Manor F1 driver said as he made his first-ever visit to an oval circuit, "It's building [chemistry] day by day. This is only our second day working together and we're just beginning to understand each other and how we communicate.

"It's a very interesting perspective to be up top and see the different approaches you can take into a corner. When you're watching a video or from pit-lane, it can all look the same, but when you get up high you can see it from a different perspective."

Pigot and Rossi won't have to wait long to drive their cars, as each will test for the first time on Tuesday (1 March) at Sebring International Raceway.