Jordan King is keeping an open mind about his initiation into Verizon IndyCar Series driving for Ed Carpenter Racing.

The 23-year-old British rookie was hired to drive Carpenter’s No. 20 Fuzzy’s Vodka Chevrolet on street and road courses this season, taking over the spot that Spencer Pigot has held most of the past two seasons. Pigot has moved over to the team’s No. 21 Chevrolet and will drive in all 17 races.

King, meanwhile, has tried to keep things simple as he learns the new car and tracks. First came a test three weeks ago at Sonoma Raceway in California. Today, he’s turning laps at Sebring International Raceway in Florida, in preparation for his series debut at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 11.

The former Formula 1 test driver and 2013 British Formula 3 champion sees value in not having preconceived notions about what or where he’s driving. That keeps his mind free to just drive, react and learn.

“It’s quite nice in that sense,” King said during INDYCAR media day three weeks ago. “I just get in it and drive it because I don’t know any different. I said that to the guys. Spencer, after the first day, he said he wanted the car to do this, do that because he knows kind of where it can be or where it should be. Where for me, I was just saying this is all I want because I don’t know any different, so I’m just going to be selfish.

“I’m driving it completely on feel. I don’t have any preconceptions. I just get in the car and drive it and tell the engineers what I feel. I’m learning the circuits as well, so we don’t have any preconceptions on the circuits, either. So all I’m doing is turning up and going right, and this is what the car can do. I drive to the ability of the car, where I don’t have any (thoughts) about ‘the brake performance should be a little better’ or ‘the front is not great’ or ‘to go quicker, I want this for the car.’ In that sense, I suppose it’s a bit more free for me and not as stressful.”

King appreciates the insights Pigot can offer to help the newcomer become acclimated.

“It’s not just Spencer that’s the bonus,” King said. “He’s great. He can show me the ropes because he’s gone through exactly what I’m going through, so he can give me the heads-up from that sense. The whole team has been really good, Ed as well. All the guys behind the scenes, all the engineers have been really good at helping me to get to understand the workings of the car, the tires, the engine, the championship. Just everything involved, everyone has been kind of open and helpful.”

King identifies with Carpenter’s blunt candor when it comes to driving, as well as the boss having high expectations for the team.

“You can take him at face value. He’s a straight-shooting guy,” King said. “They’re pushing hard and they really are trying to move the cars forward. There’s new engineers on the team as well, so there’s quite a bit of change. Everyone is pushing hard to improve the car and hit the ground running.”

The season opener in St. Petersburg will be the first of 11 starts to show what King can do. While he’s not scheduled to compete on any ovals this season, the team arranged for him to test at ISM Raceway the day after the entire season completed its Phoenix open test on the 1.022-mile oval on Feb. 9-10.

King suggests he’s already proven himself to the team. Now he has to do it by delivering results on race day.

“Hopefully I’ve already impressed the people who are involved with me on a day-to-day basis,” he said. “Hopefully they’re already impressed with what I’ve brought to the table, how I work, my abilities, everything.

“In the public forum, it’s all very subjective. Some people say other drivers are very good and others say they’re not very good. Hopefully I’m on the right side of that equation and everyone likes what they see.

“The first race, I suppose is the best place to showcase yourself, to show your potential. But for me, it’s not a one-race deal. It’s an ongoing process of improving as the season goes on and get results throughout the year and not just in one or two races.”