Power leaves Penske after 17 years with IndyCar team

Credit: Chris Owens

Will Power has departed Team Penske at the end of his contract after 17 years with the team.

The Australian IndyCar veteran won the 2014 and 2022 championships and 2018 Indianapolis 500 for Penske. No driver has won more IndyCar races for Roger Penske’s illustrious team in its history in the series.

His replacement in the No.12 Chevy is currently unnamed and will be announced at a later date ahead of the 2026 season.

“As we sat down to talk about our future together, Will felt that it was time for him to make a change beginning with next season,” said Penske. “He has been an outstanding driver and teammate for our organisation. His results speak for themselves and we wish him the very best in the next phase of his career.”

Power’s 71 pole positions make him IndyCar’s best-ever qualifier and his 45 victories - 42 of which have come for Penske, dating back to Edmonton in 2009 - place him fourth on the all-time wins list. He has a total of 108 podiums to his name.

His Penske departure, after finishing as the team’s lead driver in 2025, marks the first change since 2021 to a stable lineup also consisting of Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin, who are both tied down to long-term deals.

Power finished as the team’s best-placed driver in the standings in 2025 amid a challenging season for Penske, winning Round 15 at Portland International Raceway.

Credit: James Black

“It’s been the honor of my life to drive for Roger and the Penske organisation,” Power said. “We have accomplished so much together and I will always be grateful for my time with the team and my teammates who have supported me along the way. 

“After much consideration, I felt like a change for me was the right move at this time.”

Having been unable to speak to other teams until after August 31st, Power is left as a free agent, currently without a confirmed drive for 2026. But at 45 years old, he still feels as though he is at the peak of his powers.

A champion as recently as 2022 and closest contender in 2024 with a field-high three race wins, he is the only driver who has beaten Álex Palou since the Spaniard joined Chip Ganassi Racing in 2021. Power believes he is worth waiting for for teams with vacancies.

“I won three races last year. If you’re a team, if you’re waiting on me to know if I’m good enough, I don’t know what you’re thinking,” Power said after ending Penske’s 15-race winless run in Portland last month. “If you’re actually waiting - ‘I’m not sure if this guy is good enough’ - just go back to last year and you’ll fucking know.

“I’m driving the best I ever have. Simple as that. I’m not slowing down. I am not slower; I am faster.”