Will Power has officially joined Andretti Global, stepping in as Colton Herta’s replacement for the 2026 IndyCar season. As the transition unfolds, Power has openly praised Herta’s driving skills after reviewing his onboard footage, highlighting the challenges and opportunities ahead in this significant Will Power IndyCar transition.
Will Power Takes Over Colton Herta’s Seat with Andretti Global
Colton Herta, one of IndyCar’s brightest talents, is shifting focus toward Formula 1 by assuming a reserve driver role with Cadillac F1 and a full-time position in Formula 2 for 2026. This move set the stage for Will Power, the two-time IndyCar champion, to replace Herta at Andretti Global. Power joined the team on January 1, 2026, navigating the challenges of integrating into a new team environment while preparing for the upcoming season.
As the season approaches, with less than a month to go, Power shared insights into his recent conversation with Herta about the car and the team. He noted,
“Yeah, it was a good conversation with Colton. Obviously he’s been in that car for a while and been around that team. Even his dad, I had good conversations with Bryan, so they kind of know kind of where improvements need to happen and so on because that’s sort of all you talk about, what do you think we need to do. But it was very handy speaking to him.”
“Just watching his onboards, he’s very good. I can tell he’s very — he really gets the most out of the car, even when it’s not completely balanced. You can see that he extracts — his actual natural ability is very strong,” added Will Power
Power will join other drivers at Sebring International Raceway for an open test scheduled on February 9 and 10, followed by another test at Phoenix Raceway the following week. These sessions are expected to help him develop chemistry with his new race engineer and adapt to the Andretti Global car ahead of the start of the season.
Comparing the Andretti Global Car to Power’s Former Penske Ride
Last season, Will Power was the highest-finishing driver for Team Penske but was not retained beyond 2025. After testing the Andretti Global car at the Phoenix Raceway during the Firestone tire test in January, Power reflected on how the Honda-powered car compares with his previous Penske vehicle.
“Yeah, the Honda power felt really good. I didn’t have too much comparison, obviously, on the road courses. We’ll understand where the strengths are once I get to run around other cars and so on.”
“I felt like the Penske car was the best on short ovals, so obviously I kind of know what that feeling is and sort of gave some good feedback on where we could go. Actually the car was really balanced. It was also fast. I had a Penske car to compare it to. Quite fast. Yeah, it’s there. There’s obviously always room for improvement. Yeah, not a big shock to the system. Not at all,” he added
Power’s former Team Penske seat has been filled by David Malukas for the 2026 season. The upcoming IndyCar campaign will kick off on March 1 at the St. Petersburg circuit, signaling the beginning of a new chapter for both drivers and teams.
Preparing for a New Season of Challenges and Opportunities
Will Power’s move to Andretti Global represents a critical transition in his career as he adapts to new machinery and team dynamics following a successful tenure at Team Penske. His admiration for Herta’s natural talent and detailed feedback received from the former driver suggests a collaborative effort aimed at closing performance gaps quickly.
The open tests at Sebring and Phoenix will be pivotal in shaping Power’s 2026 campaign, offering time to fine-tune car setup and develop coordination with the Andretti Global crew. Meanwhile, Herta’s shift towards Formula 1 and F2 positions him as an evolving talent on the international stage, marking the beginning of a fresh chapter in motorsports for both drivers.
As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on how Power adjusts to his new surroundings and whether he can effectively leverage his vast experience to help Andretti Global challenge its competitors at the front of the IndyCar grid.
