Contract year at Penske won’t affect how Power drives

Will Power says he won’t let looming contract talks at Team Penske alter the way he tackles the 2021 IndyCar season.

Will Power, Team Penske Chevrolet

The 2014 IndyCar champion and 2018 Indy 500 winner finished fifth in last year’s championship after two wins, five poles, a string of misfortunes and a couple of driving errors.

Now as he approaches contract renewal time, Power says talk about his future won't affect his style or approach to the season his 13th with Penske, his 12th as a full-timer with the legendary squad.

“No, it doesn't,” he said. “It’s really the same effort that I put in because I put so much effort in every time.

“I so badly want to win. [I have the] same fire, internal fire burning. I just do what I do; obviously do my best.”

Will Power, Team Penske Chevrolet

Will Power, Team Penske Chevrolet

Photo by: IndyCar Series

The Australian cited a good start to the season as key to his title aspirations.

Not since his championship year has Power scored a win in the first four races of a season, despite taking seven poles across those 24 races.

“We've started the last four seasons in a really bad way,” said Power, who has accumulated 39 wins and 62 poles.

“It certainly isn't speed that's the issue. It's our bad days are just too bad.

“Our bad days are DNFs and multiple laps down. They're not like a 10th place or a seventh place, and that's our problem. The speed is certainly not, winning is certainly not. It’s consistency, whether it's mistakes on pit lane or mistakes by me.

“I mean, you've just got to have a solid season, and that obviously includes the beginning.

"I said last year it's a huge focus, and that did not happen for us. This year, again, if we can just have a solid first few races, I think it gives the team confidence and myself confidence.”

Will Power, Team Penske Chevrolet

Will Power, Team Penske Chevrolet

Photo by: IndyCar Series

Power is also hoping that his newest team-mate, three-time and reigning Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin, will help boost IndyCar coverage in the Antipodes.

“I was really happy he came over because it gives a lot of attention to IndyCar from Australia,” he said.

“I think the TV ratings will be better because he was so popular there and won three championships in a row.

"It just brings more attention to IndyCar which, now that we don't race down there, doesn't get much love.

“Also, Scott is a good guy. He's from New Zealand – but basically Australia. We certainly get along well and I think he'll be a pretty quick guy.”

Regarding the health of the IndyCar Series as America tries to claw its way back to normality following the worst of the disruptions caused by the COVID pandemic, Power added: “I think it's a very important season. We must have fans this year. We really must. It becomes very tough on these promoters when they're not getting the income from the ticket sales.

“Really praying that things open up, and in particular the [Indy] 500.

"With everything that Roger [Penske] has put into that place and all the effort that's gone on since the purchase [of the series and the Speedway], I really hope that we can have close to full capacity there.

"That's obviously dependent on a lot of other things at the moment.”

shares
comments

Related video

Rahal: IndyCar enjoying a 'golden era' for driver talent

Johnson: Tyre temperature a big challenge in “monster” IndyCar

The long evolution of Dallara's Indy 500 winner

The long evolution of Dallara's Indy 500 winner

Plus
Plus
IndyCar
Indy 500
David Malsher-Lopez

The long evolution of Dallara's Indy 500 winner The long evolution of Dallara's Indy 500 winner

Nigel Mansell’s greatest F1 and Indycar drives

Nigel Mansell’s greatest F1 and Indycar drives

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Kevin Turner

Nigel Mansell’s greatest F1 and Indycar drives Nigel Mansell’s greatest F1 and Indycar drives

How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled

How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled

Plus
Plus
IndyCar
Indy 500
David Malsher-Lopez

How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled

Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021

Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021

Plus
Plus
IndyCar
David Malsher-Lopez

Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021 Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021

How F1's other IndyCar exile finally unlocked his potential

How F1's other IndyCar exile finally unlocked his potential

Plus
Plus
IndyCar
Charles Bradley

How F1's other IndyCar exile finally unlocked his potential How F1's other IndyCar exile finally unlocked his potential

How Ganassi's relentless new champion outfoxed IndyCar's best

How Ganassi's relentless new champion outfoxed IndyCar's best

Plus
Plus
IndyCar
David Malsher-Lopez

How Ganassi's relentless new champion outfoxed IndyCar's best How Ganassi's relentless new champion outfoxed IndyCar's best

Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?

Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?

Plus
Plus
IndyCar
David Malsher-Lopez

Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up? Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?

Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing IndyCar win

Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing IndyCar win

Plus
Plus
IndyCar
David Malsher-Lopez

Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing IndyCar win Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing IndyCar win

Subscribe