Power replaces Cadillac-bound Herta at Andretti in major IndyCar shake-up

Credit: Joe Skibinski

Two-time IndyCar champion and 2018 Indianapolis 500 winner Will Power will replace Colton Herta at Andretti Global for the 2026 season as Herta joins Cadillac Formula One Team as test driver.

After 17 years with Team Penske, it was announced on Tuesday that Power would be departing the team after his contract expired at the conclusion of the 2025 season.

But amid the shock news that Herta is pivoting to Europe to pursue his F1 dream, rumoured to be eyeing a drive in FIA Formula 2 in 2026 as he aims to secure a Super License, an opening at another one of IndyCar’s leading outfits has emerged for veteran Power.

“I just want to say how excited I am to be joining Andretti Global,” said Power, who will turn 45 at the start of the 2026 season. “I can’t thank Dan [Towriss, Andretti Global and TWG Motorsports CEO], Jill [Gregory, Andretti Global and TWG Motorsports COO] and the team enough for this opportunity. 

“Colton is someone that I’ve been massively impressed with for a while. He has a lot of natural ability and I think he’s going to do a great job over in Europe. I’m excited to watch him and will work to step in and do everyone on the No.26 team proud.”

Power holds the record for the most pole positions in IndyCar history at 71 and sits fourth on the all-time winners list with his 45 career victories. Winning his second championship in 2022, he is the only driver to break the monopoly of four-time champion Álex Palou since the Spaniard joined Chip Ganassi Racing in 2021.

The 2025 season was trying for Penske, who endured their worst collective season since 1999. But Power, who was Palou’s closest challenger only last year after winning three races in that 2024 season, was Penske’s best-placed driver in the standings this year. 

Backed up by his results in recent years, including victory in Portland last month, Power insists he is as quick a driver as he has ever been, no matter his age.

Credit: James Black

Piloting the No.26 Honda, Power will join Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson in Andretti’s three-car lineup for the 2026 IndyCar season. 

“I’m really looking forward to meeting all the Andretti team and getting to work in 2026,” Power continued. “They have some very smart people, I know it will be enjoyable to get to winning. I’m also looking forward to driving for Honda. They’ve been a tough competitor and I look forward to working with the entire HRC team. 

“Also, I have tremendous respect for Kyle [Kirkwood] and Marcus [Ericsson]. I’ve had some great battles racing against them and I think we’re going to make a great combination as teammates. This is a whole new chapter for me. I have to say that sometimes a change of scenery and a fresh start is very energising. I can’t wait.”

Andretti won three races in 2025, with Kirkwood victorious on the streets of Long Beach and Detroit as well as the World Wide Technology Raceway oval. Kirkwood finished career-best fourth in points, with Herta seventh and Ericsson 20th.

Herta’s move to the F1 ladder comes after seven years racing full-time in IndyCar. He won nine races, including becoming the youngest-ever victor at only 18 years old at the Circuit of the Americas in his third career race, and took 16 pole positions.

“First, I want to thank Colton Herta for all the great memories and success he brought to Andretti Global during his time with the team,” Gregory said. “We’re incredibly proud of him and wish him the best in his new F1 journey.

“We couldn’t think of a better driver than Will Power to fill Colton’s shoes here at Andretti and take the wheel of the No.26 Honda. Will is a fierce competitor whose record speaks for itself. Additionally, he’s a great personality and we feel he’ll be a strong fit for the team culturally as well.”