Will Power’s Manager Has Spoken Out About the Two-Time IndyCar Champion’s Move to Andretti Global in 2026 That Will See Power’s Resurgence

In the high-octane world of IndyCar racing, few moves send ripples quite like the one announced last month: two-time series champion Will Power, the Australian veteran who has been synonymous with Team Penske for 17 years, is packing his bags for Andretti Global starting in 2026. At 44 years old, Power’s decision to leave the powerhouse team where he secured 45 wins, a record 71 pole positions, and his iconic 2018 Indianapolis 500 victory has stunned fans and insiders alike. But according to Power’s longtime manager, Oriol Servià—a former IndyCar driver himself—this isn’t the end of the line for the Queensland native. It’s the spark for a dramatic resurgence.

Servià, speaking candidly in a recent interview, didn’t mince words about the move’s potential. “Will has unfinished business,” he said, his voice carrying the weight of two decades in the paddock. “He’s got the fire, the experience, and now the right environment to chase more championships. Andretti isn’t just a team; it’s a family with smart people who can harness what Will brings to the table.” Servià’s comments come at a pivotal moment, just weeks after the 2025 season wrapped at Nashville Superspeedway, where Power finished a respectable but unremarkable fifth in the standings—his worst full-season result since 2012. For a driver who clinched titles in 2014 and 2022, the inconsistency of the past three years has been a thorn in his side, marked by mechanical woes, strategic misfires, and the brutal physical toll of 17 grueling seasons at Penske.

The seeds of this transition were sown quietly during the 2025 campaign. Power’s contract with Penske expired after the finale, but the team opted to retain him through December 31, a gesture of respect amid the “silly season” frenzy. Whispers of his availability surfaced at Road America in June, where informal chats with Andretti brass turned into serious discussions. By early September, it was official: Power would slide into the No. 26 Honda, replacing Colton Herta, the 25-year-old prodigy who’s shifting to a test driver role with the Cadillac Formula 1 team—a joint venture under the same ownership umbrella as Andretti Global. Herta’s departure was bittersweet; the young American delivered flashes of brilliance, including two wins in 2025, but his path to F1 demanded this leap, leaving a championship-caliber seat vacant.

Andretti Global President Jill Gregory hailed the signing as a “perfect fit.” In a team release on September 3, she praised Power as “a fierce competitor whose record speaks for itself,” adding that his personality would mesh seamlessly with the team’s culture. Power joins a revamped lineup alongside Kyle Kirkwood in the No. 27 and Marcus Ericsson in the No. 28—both under contract through 2026. Kirkwood, fresh off a breakout year with three victories, quashed early rumors of tension in a Sportskeeda interview last week, calling Power a “legend” and insisting, “There’s no animosity here; we’re all pulling in the same direction.” Ericsson, the 2022 Indy 500 winner, echoed the sentiment on social media, posting a photo of the trio with the caption: “Champions building something special.”

For Servià, the calculus was straightforward. Penske, for all its dominance—boasting 19 IndyCar titles and endless resources—had become a double-edged sword for Power. The pressure to perform amid a stable of stars like Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin often left him in the shadow, especially as age crept in. “Will needed a change, a place where his voice carries equal weight,” Servià explained. “At Andretti, he’s not just another driver; he’s the veteran anchor. Honda’s engine program is elite, and with the hybrid era kicking off in 2026, Will’s setup savvy will be gold.” The move also flips the script on Andretti’s own narrative. Once a championship force under the Andretti-Green banner, with Ryan Hunter-Reay’s 2012 title as its last crown jewel, the team has languished in recent years, hampered by inconsistent results and the distractions of their F1 bid. Power’s arrival injects proven winning DNA, potentially elevating them from mid-pack contenders to title threats.

Power himself radiated optimism in his first post-announcement sit-down on the “Racers Unchained” podcast with Paul Tracy, aired September 18. “I’m buzzing, mate,” he said in his signature Aussie drawl. “Penske was home—17 years of magic—but it’s time for a new chapter. Andretti’s got sharp minds, and driving for Honda? They’ve been kicking our butts; now I get to join the fun side.” He didn’t shy away from the emotional side, admitting tears flowed during his Penske farewell. “Roger [Penske] built me into a champion. I’ll miss the No. 12 like a family member.” Yet, Power’s eyes lit up discussing Andretti’s street course prowess, hinting at his excitement for venues like Long Beach and Detroit, where his qualifying wizardry could shine.

The paddock buzz is electric. On X (formerly Twitter), fans dissected the move with fervor, from memes of Power’s infamous radio rants to predictions of an Indy 500 three-peat bid. One viral thread from September 19 highlighted Andretti’s hunt for a new race engineer to pair with Power, underscoring the team’s commitment to building around him. Meanwhile, the domino effect continues: David Malukas, the promising Lithuanian-American, was unveiled as Power’s Penske replacement in the No. 12 on September 18, a poetic full-circle moment after his own turbulent 2025 with AJ Foyt Racing.

Servià’s outspoken defense of the deal extends beyond hype. He didn’t hold back on a peculiar subplot: Andretti’s decision to prioritize Herta for the Cadillac F1 test role over Kirkwood, despite the American’s three-win haul this year. “As an outsider, why wasn’t Kyle in the conversation? He’s American, winning races— it baffles me,” Servià told Sportskeeda on September 17. “I’ll ask Dan [Towriss, Andretti owner] one day, but it doesn’t change the lineup’s strength.” It’s a rare peek into the politics of driver placements, but Servià quickly pivoted: “Focus on 2026. Will’s there to win, not dwell.”

As the off-season simulator sessions loom, Power’s resurgence feels tangible. With hybrid powertrains debuting—blending internal combustion with energy recovery for closer racing—his adaptive genius could be the edge Andretti craves. Servià envisions a team reborn: “Will’s not done. This move? It’s his phoenix moment.” In a series where loyalty clashes with ambition, Power’s bold pivot reminds us that even legends evolve. Andretti Global, long starved for sustained glory, now holds the key to unlocking it. The green flag drops in St. Petersburg next March, but the real race—for redemption and rings—starts now.