Will Power encountered his debut crash as a driver for Andretti Global in the second practice session of IndyCar‘s opening race weekend of the 2026 season in St. Petersburg. The two-time series champion was the sole driver on the wet track following rainfall earlier at the circuit.
The start of Practice 2 was delayed by approximately 20 minutes due to lingering dampness on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg course. Despite some drying on the racing line, Power ventured out immediately as the 40-minute session began, while no other drivers took to the track.
Details of Power’s Crash and Conditions Leading to Impact
The Australian, soon to celebrate his 45th birthday, became a casualty of challenging track conditions. During his out lap on the harder primary tires, Power locked his left front tire approaching Turn 10, a left-hand corner located at the end of the back straight.
The combination of limited grip on the wet surface and cold tires caused him to lose control. His car collided with the barriers, with the first contact made by the right tire, which resulted in damage to both the right steering arm and front wing.
FOX commentator and former IndyCar driver Townsend Bell bluntly described the incident as:
“Something you’d see from a rookie.” ?Townsend Bell, FOX commentator
Shortly after, fellow FOX analyst James Hinchcliffe echoed this view, stating:
“Such a rookie move.” ?James Hinchcliffe, FOX commentator
Both commentators also suggested that Power’s braking difficulties experienced during the first practice session could have played a role in the crash.
Will Power Connects Braking Troubles to Practice Crash
During Practice 1 on Friday, Power had struggled with braking issues in his first session racing for Andretti Global. Speaking with FOX pitlane reporter Kevin Lee after being released from the medical center post-crash, the No. 26 Honda driver linked the incident with his earlier problems.
“Just locked a front. I mean, I wasn’t even braking late,” said Power. “We had a lot of locking issues yesterday, so we changed brakes and were hoping to fix the issue I’d say those tires were, like the front tires were, particularly with the amount of locking we had yesterday, were prone to that. So maybe that was some of it, but not ideal. Last thing we needed with all the things we had going yesterday. Now, to go straight into qualifying, yeah… I’m wondering where we’re at.” ?Will Power, IndyCar driver
The unresolved braking problems not only impacted Power’s own practice but also hampered data-gathering crucial for the upcoming qualifying session. Without sufficient reliable data of his own, Power planned to rely on information from his teammates.
“I had no option but to run what they got, which we were doing today. So yeah, not ideal man. I feel bad for the team, to put us in this position. But it is what it is. Try and our best and see if we can get halfway up there or something.” ?Will Power, IndyCar driver
Practice Performance Comparison with Teammates
Power ranked only 18th fastest in the initial practice session, a notable gap compared to teammates Kyle Kirkwood, who was third, and Marcus Ericsson, who finished fifth. This contrast highlights the impact of Power’s mechanical struggles on his performance.
Implications for the Team and Upcoming Sessions
The crash and preceding technical challenges mark a difficult start to Power’s season with Andretti Global, creating pressure ahead of qualifying and the opening race. The damaged car will require repairs, and the team must address the lingering braking concerns to improve competitiveness.
Power’s experience underscores how even seasoned champions remain vulnerable to errors under adverse conditions, especially when integrating with a new team and equipment. How he and Andretti Global respond in the coming qualifying and race sessions will shape their prospects for the 2026 IndyCar season.
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