Will Power, a two-time champion of the IndyCar Series, has emphasized the working relationship established with his Andretti Global teammates, Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson, during his first season with the organization. The renewal of Ericsson’s contract for the 2027 season, announced this week, has generated optimism in Power for the future.
Kirkwood, currently third in the championship, signed a multi-year contract extension before the start of the season. Power has expressed that the chemistry between the drivers is essential: ‘I have been very happy to feel that [Ericsson’s renewal] has been confirmed. It has been a nice year because Kyle and Marcus are excellent to work with.’
Although the results do not always reflect the team’s speed, Power remains confident in the program’s trajectory. ‘We believe we will have a great year in 2027. We have made a lot of progress in several areas, such as pit stops and vehicle construction, and that has benefited us all,’ he commented.
Power’s inaugural campaign with Andretti follows a prominent 17-season run with Team Penske. He currently occupies the 14th position in the standings with four finishes in the top ten across 12 races, a figure that has not always reflected his real potential. His experience adds value to the team, bringing new ideas and strategies.
With the focus set on the Portland International Raceway this weekend, the team hopes to measure its progress on road circuits. During the previous visit to the region, Herta was the one who led the team finishing in tenth position, while Kirkwood and Ericsson finished one lap behind.
The initial sessions of this weekend indicate that Andretti has made gains. Kirkwood finished the opening practice in second position, while Power finished fourth and Ericsson twelfth. However, Power has warned that the track conditions have complicated the assessment of setup balance.
Power relies on the feedback from his teammates. ‘Having a fast teammate is beneficial because you have a very good reference and can analyze everything,’ he added. With a strong team and a good working atmosphere, Power is optimistic about the remainder of the season and beyond.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
