It’s a new year but nothing seems to have changed for defending IndyCar champion Will Power after he posted the quickest lap in practice at the season opening event in Florida.

Power clocked a one minute, 1.4709 second lap at the 1.8 mile street circuit in St Petersburg on Friday to top the timesheets ahead of Penske teammates Juan Pablo Montoya (1:01.6996) and Helio Castroneves (1:01.7000).

Steady rain cancelled Friday’s second practice run ahead of Saturday’s qualifying for Sunday’s 110-lap race.

Power, a two-time winner on the streets of St Petersburg including last year on his way to a maiden IndyCar title, said he was comfortable with how his Chevrolet-powered car had responded to a new aerodynamic kit introduced for this year’s series.

Both Honda and Chevrolet are running separate aero kits this year and Power believes his manufacturer is on the money so far with the Australian’s quickest lap among five that went under what Takuma Sato did last year to win pole position.

“The kits produce massive downforce, low drag and the cars are absolutely glued to the track,” Power said.

“Obviously, as we go along in the year we are going to learn more and more about what we need to push for wins.”

Four of the five drivers under last year’s pole time were in Chevrolets, with Jack Hawksworth the fastest of the Hondas with a 1:01.8713.

Power said after a long off-season since lifting the Astor Cup last August, it’s good to get back to competitive racing.

“It’s awesome to be at an event where times actually count,” he said.

“Team Penske has definitely made ground over the winter over the other teams.

I think it’s going to be a pretty interesting four-way battle amongst the teams and Scott Dixon is right in there as well.

“I expect those five to be the championship contenders.”