Will Power signs with Andretti; Colton Herta leaving INDYCAR to join F1

INDIANAPOLIS - One day after announcing he was parting ways with Team Penske, former INDYCAR champion Will Power has joined a new team.




Andretti Global announced Wednesday that Power would be joining the team's driver lineup in 2026. Power will reportedly drive the No. 26 Honda car, while the car's former driver, Colton Herta, will leave INDYCAR to become a test driver for Cadillac's Formula 1 team.




"I just want to say how excited I am to be joining Andretti Global," Power said. "Colton is someone 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 26 team proud."




The shakeup comes just one day after Power and Team Penske announced they were parting ways after 17 years. Power called driving for Penske the "honor of my life."




"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," Power said. "After much consideration, I felt like a change for me was the right move at this time."




Power has over 20 years of experience in open-wheel racing and holds the series' record for most pole positions at 71. In over 300 INDYCAR races, Power has won 45 times and led for over 5,000 laps.




"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," Andretti COO Jill Gregory said. "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."




A native of Australia, Power won INDYCAR championship titles in 2014 and 2022. In 2018, he cemented his place in local history by winning the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500.




"I'm really looking forward to meeting all the Andretti team and getting to work in 2026," Power said. "They have some very smart people, and I know it will be enjoyable to get to winning. I'm also looking forward to driving for Honda."




Power will join confirmed teammates Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson in Andretti's 2026 INDYCAR driver lineup.





via: https://fox59.com/sports/will-power-signs-with-andretti-global-one-day-after-leaving-team-penske/