IndyCar again fails to provide test times

[Editor's Note: Unlike F1 that provides test times for all its offseason testing to keep fans engaged until the season starts, IndyCar continues to fail to understand the importance of what its fans want. So we apologize that we are unable to provide test times from Sebring, just quotes, which most fans could care less about. The name of this sport is speed, not talk, and which drivers are the best. Drivers can talk all they want, if they are slow as snails, that talk means nothing!]

Marco Andretti, was he slow or was he fast?

Eight drivers turn laps at Sebring private test: Eight Verizon IndyCar Series driver/car combinations turned laps on the Sebring International Raceway short course Feb. 3 in the first multi-team test of 2015.

The sessions included Luca Filippi, who was named last week by CFH Racing to drive the No. 20 Fuzzy's Award Winning Vodka car on road/street courses this season. Team co-owner/driver Ed Carpenter will compete on the ovals. Also, Conor Daly, who made his Verizon IndyCar Series debut in the 2013 Indianapolis 500 with A.J. Foyt Racing and has been competing in the GP2 Series the past few seasons, was testing the No. 7 Honda for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports alongside regular driver James Hinchcliffe.

Quotes from drivers at the test:

James Hinchcliffe, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports: "It's really the start of the new year and the new season. We did our one (on-track test) day back in December, but that was kind of get-to-know-you and now we're really getting to work. Obviously, we don't have the bodywork kits yet and that's what we're all excited for, but there is still enough items for us to run through and it's been a productive day."

Luca Filippi, CFH Racing: "I can't tell you how happy I am. I've been chasing a (Verizon IndyCar Series) contract for a while and I don't remember the last time I had the opportunity to have a proper program with a proper contract in time to go testing and make things right before the first race. I'm looking forward to working with the guys, the team is getting bigger and the goal is for everybody to do well. I couldn't ask for a better situation."

Josef Newgarden, CFH Racing: "Having Luca (Filippi) here has been fun to learn his traits and what we both like in trying to maximize two cars. That's the big thing for us – how to do that efficiently and keep up with everyone else. It's been fun just getting back in the car after a long winter break."

Ryan Hunter-Reay, Andretti Autosport: "It's great to be back with the whole team. It's kind of strange because we've been testing the aero kit and now we're back with the old package. We're working on quite a few things we found over the winter and some questions we had from the end of last season so having all three drivers here, running through it will give us a good direction to start the season."

Carlos Munoz, Andretti Autosport: "It's been a long time since I drove a car on a road course and we got up to speed quickly. It's also good to be back with my teammates (Marco Andretti and Ryan Hunter-Reay) and with the 26 (car) group, which is the same as last year. It's good to have that continuity."

Marco Andretti, Andretti Autosport: "It's always fun to be in the car. Though we're not using the new aero kit yet, we can still get a lot of team things done. We're still checking boxes on some of the bigger items right now and working our way on preparing for the season opener."

Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: "We're ready to get going and excited to be out here. This is the start of the whole season for us. We have a few test days with this aero kit and then we'll be put on hold until the new aero kit comes out. It will be busy when that times comes, too. It's nice to be out here for sure."