Nick Cassidy put in a solid IndyCar stint at Sebring earlier this week in a test session driving 2021 champion Alex Palou’s Ganassi-Honda.
The Kiwi put in a massive 156 laps of the 1.7 mile course, setting the sixth fastest time out of the eight drivers who ran.
Even after just one day of running Cassidy showed continuous improvement in the car, falling just .636 seconds off top spot and .4 seconds within second place.
Chip Ganassi Racing are the same team Kiwis Scott Dixon and Marcus Armstrong compete for, the test indicating they may be looking to add a third Kiwi to their four car IndyCar lineup once Palou’s contract expires year end.
Earl Bamber also competes for the outfit in the World Endurance Championship.
As expected, it was the full-time IndyCar drivers who topped the testing timesheets, Pato O’Ward the fastest for Arrow McClaren ahead of teammate Alexander Rossi and Felix Rosenqvist.
Former Formula 1 driver Felipe Nasr set the fourth fastest time whilst Santino Ferrucci was the other driver to set a lap faster than Cassidy.
The test session came just days after the Kiwi secured a dramatic second place in a thrilling Hyderabad E-Prix after starting ninth on the grid.
Cassidy mentioned to motorsport.com he was able to cope with the physicality of the car but struggled with jet-lag due to the extremely short turnaround.
“Because of that Super Formula experience, my neck was fine, but I’ve know this test was coming up so I was putting in the work necessary, and physically I felt fine. In fact the biggest issue was jet-lag,” he said.
When asked about his plans beyond 2023 he remained coy, mentioning he’d be open to a series switch.
“I’m keeping my options open, for sure,” he said to motorsport.com. . “If I look at my career, I’d say I’m quite loyal in terms of the teams. I was with TOM’S for six years, I’m in my third year with Envision in Formula E, so I want my next contract to be home for a long time in terms of team and championship. Whatever I end up doing, I want to be as committed as I can be.
“If I’m going to be here, I’m going to be committed,” he stated. “The Indy 500 is something that everyone should dream to win. It’s one of the biggest races in the world. And I grew up racing speedway midget cars – on the dirt in ovals. Obviously a superspeedway in an IndyCar is quite a bit different, but I love all oval racing and I wouldn’t be scared of tackling ovals in an IndyCar.
“I really liked the IndyCar, I think the championship’s really cool, and I like longer races, the refueling, having to deal with dual tire compounds, and so on. But I’ve got to assess my options and everything’s open, so I’ll have to wait and see. I’m really lucky where I am at Envision, we look really competitive, and the championship’s strong.”
Cassidy is currently in his third season with Envision in Formula E, the final year of his contract with the outfit.
He’s shown in past he can be adaptable in any car, having won Formula E and DTM races last year and experiencing open-wheel success in Super Formula where he won the 2019 title.
Whilst 2024 remains uncertain, Cassidy has plenty of unfinished business in 2023.
Formula E are only four rounds into their 16 round season which concludes at the end of July. He currently sits fifth in the standings and has scored points in three out of four races.
Other commitments for 2023 are yet to be confirmed but DTM appears unlikely after his team, AF Corse, withdrawn by owners Red Bull after ADAC acquired the series.
Last year the Aucklander also competed in the World Endurance Championship with the same outfit in the LMGTE Am class, a path he may follow once again if schedules permit.
