Barfield promises transparency in IndyCar race decisions

Barfield, who was hired from a similar role with the ALMS to replace controversial series official Brian Barnhart, has been tasked with rewriting the rule book ahead of the new season, and will then be responsible for enforcing those rules at the races.

He said that his aim was to make both the regulations and their application as clear as possible.

"It's important to look at an incident and situation at absolute face value," Barfield said in a video released by IndyCar.

"I tend to look at incidents without regard to who's driving the car, the car number, the colour of car, anything like that. You try to look at it as black and white as possible. And I think when you have black and white rules, it really allows you to make the right decision."

IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard said that he was looking forward to the new season, although he admitted to a touch of nerves as the new DW12 chassis prepares for its final testing phase before the first race at St Petersburg in March.

"I'm very excited but also very nervous!" he said. "It's always a very stressful time when you have a new car. You have a new V6 turbocharged 2.2 displacement with the E85 ethanol fuel ... there are so many exciting things. It's going to be an exciting time for IndyCar."