Alex Palou, the reigning IndyCar champion, expressed sympathy for Will Power after the Australian driver endured a challenging debut weekend with Andretti Global at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Power’s difficulties emerged despite joining a team reputed for excelling on street circuits, marking a tough start to his new chapter in IndyCar.
While teammates Marcus Ericsson and Kyle Kirkwood met expectations with solid performances, Power struggled immediately with his No. 26 Honda. From the very first practice session on Friday, the two-time IndyCar champion faced persistent brake issues that hampered his performance. Seeking to make up for lost time, Power went out early in the second practice amid weather delays, only to worsen the problem under damp conditions and crash at Turn 10.
Challenges Persist through Qualifying and Race Day
Will Power entered qualifying with minimal data on car setup and track conditions due to the compromised practice sessions, leading to an early elimination in Round 1. His troubles did not end there; during the race, Power experienced another tire lockup at Turn 10, resulting in damage to his right rear suspension and a premature retirement from the event. These setbacks reflected the steep learning curve the 45-year-old driver faced adapting to a new team environment after many successful years with Team Penske.
Following the race, Palou openly reflected on Power’s struggles during a recent episode of the Speed Street podcast, stating,
“I think Power, he had a terrible weekend at the start. Like, that compromises so much, it was unfortunate. I understand why he went out so early in Practice 2. He was saying that he was not comfortable with the car. And if you’re in a new team, new car, for people to understand, he’s been in Penske for how long? A long time.”
Podcaster Conor Daly also noted the difficulty Power must be experiencing adjusting to new team personnel and processes after seventeen years with Penske, despite IndyCar’s status as a spec series with theoretically similar cars. Palou expanded on this, explaining,
“It (the car) is the same because we don’t develop the car, but the setup is different, the brake pumps are different, the steering wheel is different. Even the pedal is different. I didn’t speak to him. I am just talking from what I heard or read. But he was saying that he was struggling with brakes. It could be as silly as the brake pedal being different, and then you’re struggling. And that’s why he had to go out (early in practice 2).”
“It’s not that he’s crazy, or the team is a rookie. It’s just that he needed laps and he needed lap time. And then you crash and then you’re already like two steps behind. Unfortunate,” the Spaniard added.
Palou Anticipates a Swift Recovery for Power at Phoenix Raceway
With the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg behind them, the IndyCar Series shifts focus to Phoenix Raceway this weekend for the Good Ranchers 250, the first race held at the short oval since 2018. Power stands among just five active drivers with prior racing experience at Phoenix, where he displayed strong performances on ovals during his tenure at Team Penske.
Though Andretti Global’s short oval capabilities have not matched Penske’s dominance, Power’s seasoned racecraft and past successes, including his 2018 Indy 500 victory, remain significant strengths. On the podcast, Palou confidently predicted Power would quickly bounce back once the series returns to Phoenix, saying,
“At Phoenix, he’s going to be quick,” said Palou. “He was Top 3 (in testing). He’s gonna be alright.”
This optimism is supported by Power’s recent track time at the 1-mile oval, where he participated in a Firestone tire test in January — his first test with Andretti Global — and later posted the eighth-fastest time during a two-day open test in February.
Implications for Andretti Global and Power’s Season Ahead
Will Power’s arduous start with Andretti Global highlights the complex challenges that come with switching teams after a long and successful run elsewhere. Technical differences in car setup and equipment, even subtle ones like brake pedals, can disrupt a driver’s rhythm and confidence, underscoring the importance of adaptation time in highly competitive motorsports.
Palou’s support and understanding indicate a shared respect among drivers facing the unpredictable nature of racing, and the coming events at Phoenix could serve as a crucial opportunity for Power to regain momentum. Success on the short oval would not only revive his confidence but also bolster Andretti Global’s competitiveness in the 2025 IndyCar season.
