Hamilton also confirmed his longstanding partnership with HP will continue in IndyCar next season.

“We’re definitely connected at the hip,” he said. “And we understand each other's goals. Fortunately, we've been able to succeed at both goals and that, number one, is getting new customers and clients for HP and keeping existing customers and clients on HP products.

Sam Schmidt. (Photo: IndyCar Series)

“Then on our side, it’s to make sure that we do a good job, on and off the track, representing HP at new customer service events. HP is very happy with the results and we’re doing our part to make sure we continue sending business their way and making sure that the program pays for itself.”

Hamilton noted that the team has held onto its entire staff during the off-season, which should help to hit the team to pick up where it left off.

“We decided we had good chemistry and really good, talented people within the team and we all clicked,” he said. “And so as hard as it is with the schedule the way it is, so much off-time, and being such a low-budget team, it's hard to do that. But the reason we did it is we figured results pay, they're going to help us get to where we want to go. And we have the same feelings that we could definitely be, not just on podium, but on the top of the podium. So that's the goal.”

The team came close to signing Rubens Barrichello to partner with Pagenaud next year, but with the Brazilian’s move to his domestic stock car series, Schmidt has shifted his attention to finding a new candidate to add a second full-time entry.

“It’s disappointing Rubens will be staying down there racing taxi cabs, but I understand his decision,” he said. “He got a great offer, so you can’t blame him for that. But there are still a few excellent opportunities out there with other drivers. We’re working hard on the funding side to make it happen. If we can, we’ll make it happen, and if we can’t, we won’t.

“We won’t jeopardize the quality of the No. 77 car’s program if the second car’s funding isn’t where it needs to be. So if we have to stay with one car, that’s what we’ll do and I think we showed last year we don’t need a second car to be competitive.”

Marshall Pruett is SPEED.com's Auto Racing Editor, and covers the IndyCar Series. Before joining SPEED, Pruett worked in open-wheel racing for 20 years as a mechanic and engineer. He also contributes to RACER, Road & Track and Racecar Engineering. Follow him @MarshallPruett.