With 2017 winding to a close, a handful of Verizon IndyCar Series teams concluded their final tests of the year in the last stages of manufacturer testing.
While team testing does not begin until January, IndyCar teams have taken delivery of their aero kit components as preparations continue for the 2018 season.
Four teams recently completed their final test sessions within the past week, all of whom doing so at Sebring International Raceway.
First, it was Chevrolet and Team Penske taking to the track, with Will Power behind the wheel as Simon Pagenaud and Josef Newgarden looked on.
Surprise surprise @12willpower 👀 are wide open!!! We are back testing @indycar in @sebringraceway! @team_penske @teamchevy #cars #trending #racecar #competition #lifestyle #fitness #dedication #team pic.twitter.com/bivkGTtH42
— Simon Pagenaud (@simonpagenaud) December 12, 2017
Testing @sebringraceway the next couple of days. I have my viewing station set up to watch Will run today. #IndyCar @12WillPower pic.twitter.com/1sTCeZNBmi
— Josef Newgarden (@josefnewgarden) December 12, 2017
The next day, two other Chevy teams ventured onto the Sebring road course, with Ed Carpenter Racing and Spencer Pigot continuing their development work while Tony Kanaan got behind the wheel of his A.J. Foyt Racing No. 14 ABC Supply Chevrolet for the first time.
Last on-track test day of 2017 - ✅
— Ed Carpenter Racing (@ECRIndy) December 13, 2017
The 2018 @IndyCar season is getting closer! pic.twitter.com/v0RecC3LtF
🇺🇸 The beginning of a new chapter. First test with @AJFoytRacing and my first time driving the 2018 #INDYCAR aero package. Car looks as good as it drives. Excited to back behind the wheel 👊🏼 pic.twitter.com/KOzPaNzdAz
— Tony Kanaan (@TonyKanaan) December 13, 2017
Further, Honda’s Schmidt Peterson Motorsports also took to the Sebring road course last week, with James Hinchcliffe and Robert Wickens turning laps, with Wickens completing his first official outing with the team.
Teams that have not been designated as teams for the manufacturer testing period, namely Andretti Autosport, Dale Coyne Racing and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, will now start at a several-day deficit for the season.
Both Marco Andretti and Sebastien Bourdais respectively took to Twitter to express their displeasure...
More @IndyCar testing without us. 😑👎🏽
— Marco Andretti (@MarcoAndretti) December 12, 2017
Don't worry Marco, for the 5 days of free testing 4 teams got, the rest of us will have 5 hours and 2 sets of tires. That's fair right? NO! Anyway, see you in January when we finally will be allow to run...
— Sébastien Bourdais (@BourdaisOnTrack) December 12, 2017