Will Power’s first drive outside of Team Penske in 17 seasons made headlines at the Firestone tire test on January 7 at Phoenix Raceway, marking his return to a Honda car for the first time since 2011. The highly anticipated Will Power Andretti debut showcased the two-time IndyCar champion adapting quickly to a new environment with Andretti Global, signaling both a personal and professional turning point.
Settling into New Surroundings and Procedures
Arriving at Phoenix Raceway, Power faced unfamiliar territory after 272 consecutive races with Roger Penske’s team, now working alongside veteran Andretti engineer Andy Listes. Despite the change, Power seemed unfazed by the shift from Penske’s established routines to Andretti’s structure. He candidly shared the initial discomfort of his first day on track with his new team:
“It’s funny (and) you feel very out of place,”
— Will Power, Driver
Yet, once immersed in the car, Power focused on business as usual, adapting swiftly to the car’s distinct feel and systems:
“But once you get in the car and get rolling it’s just like, ‘Oh, it’s an Indy car.’ You go through the same processes.”
— Will Power, Driver
Adapting to the Andretti Way
Power reported an absence of any technical issues throughout his initial test, demonstrating his readiness to move forward with Andretti Global. With his Team Penske contract restrictions lifting as the new year began, Power wasted no time stepping into his new role, even sharing his switch via social media mere hours after becoming eligible. By Wednesday, he was fully immersed, suiting up and fitting into the No. 26 Andretti entry on track at Phoenix.
Having spent several days with Andy Listes, who recently engineered Dennis Hauger to an INDY NXT title, Power is conscious of the ongoing adjustment to a new team dynamic, with many more Andretti personnel to learn, especially those working with teammates Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson. The transition involves numerous practical considerations, as he explained:
“It’s the typical stuff, you know,”
— Will Power, Driver
“I’m just trying to understand how everything works in this team – I’d been with Penske 17 years – it was just like second-nature (being there).
You didn’t think about it, (but) now you have to get the steering wheel in the right position and the pedals, padding and just basic things like that.” — Will Power, Driver
Former Teammates Take the Track as Rivals Again
This major shift was not lost on those within the INDYCAR community, as Power stood out of his former Team Penske Verizon racing colors. Josef Newgarden, the only other driver testing alongside Power that day, has had a career trajectory closely linked with his former teammate. Power’s IndyCar journey started in 2009 when he filled in for Helio Castroneves. At that time, Newgarden was starting out in European junior racing. By the time Newgarden joined the series in 2012, Power had already established himself as a top contender with Team Penske.
The two went on to be Team Penske teammates for nine seasons, winning three series championships and securing 45 race victories between them, including three legendary Indianapolis 500 wins. Throughout this era, fans associated the duo with a single powerhouse team. Power currently ranks fourth in all-time series wins with 45, while Newgarden sits tenth with 32. Both drivers tasted victory in the most recent season, highlighting their enduring competitiveness.
What Lies Ahead for Power and Newgarden
The coming season brings the renewal of their on-track rivalry, beginning with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, a 100-lap opener scheduled for Sunday, March 1. Power and Newgarden will return to Phoenix Raceway just a week later—a venue where Power has finished as runner-up twice and Newgarden claimed victory in 2018. Before the season kick-off, both drivers will participate in an Open Test on the Phoenix oval alongside the rest of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES field on February 17-18.
As Power adjusts to life with Andretti Global and builds new relationships within the team, his adaptability and focus suggest he is well positioned to compete at the front once again. The Will Power Andretti debut hints at a new dynamic for the series, reigniting rivalries and offering renewed excitement for fans as established legends embark on significantly altered journeys in one of motorsport’s top championships.
