Rubens Barrichello got his first taste of a Dallara-Chevrolet IndyCar at Sebring on Monday as the Brazilian began his two-day test program with KV Racing.
The F1 veteran, whose last hope of racing in Formula 1 this year was dashed when Williams opted to sign Bruno Senna instead, took up the invite to try out an IndyCar after conversations with close friend Tony Kanaan. Barrichello has no commitments beyond this week's outing, but told a Brazilian newspaper over the weekend that a switch to the category could be a possibility.
"I've always wanted to test an IndyCar. I love speed, so it's natural to want to try this," Barrichello told the O Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper. "As I have no contract with anyone, there's nothing to stop me from testing it.
"I'm going into this test with my mind wide open. If I leave with the passion I have always had as a driver, then why not? I love racing."
The test, which is being conducted on Sebring's 1.7-mile short course configuration, will feature a number of IndyCar teams as they continue to develop the new Dallara DW12 chassis. Ryan Hunter-Reay and James Hinchcliffe (Andretti Autosport), JR Hildebrand (Panther Racing), and the Team Penske trio of Ryan Briscoe, Helio Castroneves and Will Power also were on the track today. Justin Wilson (Dale Coyne Racing) – who co-drove the winning entry in the 50th anniversary Rolex 24 At Daytona over the weekend – Mike Conway (A.J. Foyt Racing), Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon (Target Chip Ganassi Racing), Graham Rahal (Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing) and Charlie Kimball (Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing) will test on Tuesday.