Alex Palou has been nearly unbeatable since joining Chip Ganassi Racing ahead of the 2021 IndyCar season.
Almost.
In fact, the only one who has managed to figure it out has been Will Power, who relied on a large dose of consistency to win his second series title in 2022.
Since then, however, Palou has chained three consecutive championships and 16 victories (excluding his points-free win at The Thermal Club in 2024), including the Indy 500 from last year. Meanwhile, Power has achieved three victories, has become the driver with the most pole positions in history (71) and has opted for a new start by switching to Andretti Global in the preseason after 17 years with Team Penske.
And the final round on the streets of Arlington may be telling, as Power took his first podium with his new team, finishing third just behind Palou. But his teammate, Kyle Kirkwood, took the victory and gave reason for optimism that Andretti Global could be the team to challenge the Spaniard.
“I think I could have fought for the win in every race this season,” Power, 45, said. “The rhythm is there. The ingredients are there to fight for a championship. It’s been solid.”
Will Power, Andretti Global
Photo by: Penske Entertainment
Power did not hesitate to point out that all eyes are on Palou as “the reference” in the main single-seater championship in North America.forcing everyone to raise their level.
“You can’t have a weakness, because in the end it’s going to beat you,” said Power, winner of the 2018 Indy 500. “If you have a weakness, if you’re not good in qualifying, it’s going to beat you. Especially if you’re not good in the race. There’s the race pace, the strategy, the pit stops. You just can’t have a weakness. That’s the only way to beat that machine, that No. 10 Ganassi car.”
“The driver, the team, the strategy, everything. I can’t find a weakness in them. They’re even very good on ovals. To beat them, you definitely have to do everything right every weekend. You can’t make a single mistake.”
“It’s funny, he just keeps adding up. You stumble a little here, and he’s already beaten you. He finishes ahead of you again. That’s another handful of points. Yes, it’s very difficult. But it’s a great job, all right.”
Although the Australian’s trust with Andretti Global continues to grow, This weekend’s event at Barber Motorsports Park, a circuit where the team has only achieved a top 5 since 2021 (second in 2023 with Romain Grosjean), will be the biggest test so far.
“Obviously, as the calendar progresses, the circuits are different, even within the same type of track, they are all very different,” Power explained.
“Yes, I think this weekend will be quite revealing. We will see if we have closed the gap as we needed to on the road courses. It will be interesting.”
“Barber is a little unique, too. It’s a tough season. Like I said, you can’t have any weaknesses. You can’t have one.”
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