OPINION: Why a driver shake up isn't the solution to Penske's problems
- Evan Roberts
- Jun 13
- 4 min read
Written by Evan Roberts, Edited by Gabriel Tsui
The year is 2014. Frozen was released, Kim and Kanye got married, Germany won the FIFA World Cup, and most importantly, Will Power won his first IndyCar Drivers Championship. At the same time, a 13-year-old David Malukas was in his third full year on the American Karting circuit, winning the Rotax Florida Winter Tour.
Ten years later, it was announced that Malukas would be joining A.J. Foyt Racing for the 2025 season. After a fairly impressive start to the season, cogs have started to turn within the IndyCar paddock that a driver market shakeup could be on the horizon.
This comes due to Foyt’s technical partnership with Team Penske, and with Penske’s drivers averaging an age of 36, many are starting to question just how long it will be before new blood is injected into the team.
The oldest of the three at the age of 44, is Power. As he is the only one whose contract is set to expire at the end of the 2025 season, it looks as if the Australian could be on the chopping block. But why?
Power is currently one of IndyCar’s most tenured drivers, having spent 18 seasons in the series. In those 18 seasons, 17 were for Team Penske, making him the second-longest serving driver in the organisation's history.
Through all the highs and lows of their time together — including moments of turmoil marked by major crashes and personal family challenges, as well as triumphs like his two titles and the 2018 Indy 500 win—one constant throughout his career has been the record-breaking, blistering speed.
Even at the age of 44, to me, it’s clear he has lost none of it. Since Penske’s current iteration of their lineup began in 2020, Power is the only driver to have won the Drivers Championship (2022). Even in this season, which has been problematic at the best of times, he is still the highest placed Penske driver.
This is where the rumours of replacement fail to rouse me into thinking it would be the correct option, without even mentioning the commitment and loyalty Power has shown to the team. With the speed and determination still there, and the Australian having said back in January that he can see himself racing yet another five years, why force something that may not be beneficial for both parties so soon?
Yes, Malukas is an incredible talent, especially on ovals, which we all know will only further encourage Roger Penske given his understandable adoration of the Indianapolis 500. And despite reassuring words towards Power, he hasn't exactly shown concrete interest in getting an extension over the line in a hurry.
Penske explained at the start of May: “There’s no secret, his contract is up. He’s done a great job for us. We’re just looking at our options, and I’m sure he will, too. But at the moment, we feel confident that he will be back.”
But why now? Why do some deem it necessary that come next season, at the age of only 24, Malukas must make the step up.
Whilst I'm not denying his proven abilities, at only 24 years of age, he would become the youngest Penske driver since Jan Magnussen back in 1996. Along with the factor of age and inexperience you'd have to question, if it were to happen, the decision to place such a young driver in an environment that has seen so much disruption and disorder over the past few years is questionable.
The latest chapter of which being in this year’s qualifying for the 500. The fallout resulted in the firing of three of the team's most important members, including Team President Tim Cindric, Managing Director Ron Ruzewski, and General Manager Kyle Moyer.
An extra year for the new cohort of replacements to get used to their roles, with experienced drivers such as Power behind the wheel to give feedback would benefit for the short term. Whilst also coming as an advantage to Malukas, who later down the line, would then be able to reap the rewards of more experienced team members who are able to assist him in acclimatising to the new environment.
Among the chatter, many have also been quick to forget that Malukas already has an existing contract that runs beyond this season having been signed on a multi year deal at the end of 2024.
Similar to Team Penske, he has also had a tumultuous few years having had a mountain biking incident that ruled him out for the opening half of the 2024 season, regrettably losing the Arrow McLaren drive because of it.
This is yet another reason to give the Lithuanian-American more time behind the wheel to iron out any more issues he may still be facing surrounding the pain in his wrist. He admitted the start of the season was still a “struggle bus”, having completed an extra round of surgeries over the off season to remove scar tissue.
Perhaps the best way around this situation is to give Power a contract extension that matches the end of Malukas’ contract with AFR. That way Penske has more time to assess Malukas while rebuilding the organisation, whilst also giving Power at least an extra year to show he is still the driver he has shown over the past years and has the drive to stay running in a top team.
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