'The simulator will be my new best friend,' says Wickens

Somewhere amid IndyCar's thoroughly restrictive testing limitations, Robert Wickens will look to turn as many laps as possible prior to making his debut next season as teammate to Schmidt Peterson Motorsports' James Hinchcliffe.

Although the Canadian has raced on a number of tracks that the Verizon IndyCar Series will visit in 2018, ovals will present a new challenge, as will mastering Honda's twin-turbo V6 powerplant after years of using naturally-aspirated engines in sports cars, and learning the vagaries of the series' new 2018 aero kit.

"I feel like the busier the better at this point," he said. "Schmidt Peterson Motorsports has a terrific driver development program, and they showed that in their multiple Indy Lights championship. I think we'll have a strong program in place; I have a feeling the simulator will be my new best friend."

Spending time in the Honda Performance Development simulator, participating in SPM's handful of private test days, using IndyCar's official test days, and possibly getting in on some of Honda's Manufacturer testing will play a crucial part in Wickens' ability to deliver for the team.

"Testing is very limited and we have to share it equally between myself and James," he added. "I'm very fortunate to have James as my teammate because he's so experienced and I can learn off him. We already have such a good off-track relationship, I feel like you can just take his word, trust it, and move forward."

Wickens spent time in Hinchcliffe's No. 5 Honda during a ride swap earlier this year at Sebring, and joined the team for Friday at Road America, where he subbed for Mikhail Aleshin during two sessions. Despite the notable lack of seat time compared to the rest of the field, having a close friend like Hinchliffe as a teammate and IndyCar coach is another benefit Wickens believes will shorten his learning curve.

"We crossed that bridge when we were 15," he said. "And now we can just get to work and get things going."