INDYCAR: 'Lot of potential' after Honda test - Kanaan

The first day of testing in their return to Honda didn't set any records for Chip Ganassi Racing, but Tony Kanaan sounded satisfied.

"I'm happy, pleased with what I got today and I think there's a lot of potential," the 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner said following a session at Sebring along with teammates Scott Dixon, Charlie Kimball (below) and Max Chilton. "It was just us running today so obviously it's hard too compare. But I like the way Honda is motivated and willing to listen to our feedback."

After capturing CART championships for Honda with Jimmy Vasser, Alex Zanardi (twice) and Juan Pablo Montoya, Ganassi reeled off five more with Dario Franchitti (2009, 2010, 2011) and Dixon (2008, 2013) before switching to Chevrolet power after the 2013 season. Since the introduction of the aero kits in 2015, Chevy has captured 24 of the past 32 races – including IndyCar titles by Will Power (2014) Dixon (2015) and last year's champion Simon Pagenaud. So, Honda went after and got Ganassi's team in one of the biggest off-season headlines.

"It's different. That's all I can say," continued Kanaan, who was a Honda favorite in CART and the Indy Racing League. "We spent today trying to understand the aero kit because everything is different and our only reference point is Chevrolet. So we spent the day collecting data and now we'll take it back to the shop.

"But it's not a black and white thing and we've got a lot to learn. But, like I said, I like our potential."

The next test is an open one at Phoenix on Feb. 10-11.