For Will Power, his team's situation is an additional motivation

Like his two teammates, Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin, Will Power will attempt to win the Indy 500 with new drivers. Following the departures of Tim Cindric, Ron Ruzewski, and Kyle Moyer, Team Penske has had to make numerous personnel changes. The driver of the No. 12 car will this time work with Jonathan Diuguid and Dave Faustino.

The Australian knows the two men he will be collaborating with this weekend well, since Faustino is his regular engineer. Diuguid manages the program. Porsche Penske Motorsport Endurance (WEC et IMSA). He is no stranger to open-wheel racing, however, having already been placed in a similar position last year. Following the push-to-pass scandal, Roger Penske suspended members of his team for the Indy 500, and Jonathan Diuguid was left to manage strategy for Josef Newgarden. It was far from a losing move, as the duo won the race, Newgarden's second consecutive victory.

Will Power admitted that the situation was not easy, with the loss of three key members of Team Penske. Like several other members of the paddock, the Australian cites "external pressures" that ultimately forced the team owner's hand. Some teams appear to have denounced theIndyCar Penske's changes to the rear crash boxes, while speaking out quite loudly in the various meetings held by the teams of Penske Entertainment, the company that manages IndyCar.

The starting grid for the 500 Indianapolis 2025

"It's a shock, and it's a real shame, because they were excellent at their jobs. The pressure from outside must have forced Roger to make some tough decisions. They're incredible people, the infraction was really minor and didn't allow us to improve our performance. I feel bad for everyone involved in this situation, it's just difficult, I can't say anything else. They're great people who created a great team, it's a real shame."

500 Indy 2018 winner Will Power isn't feeling any sense of revenge for the grid relegations he and Josef Newgarden have suffered. He doesn't deny that it provides extra motivation to show the entire paddock that, with or without crashbox modifications, Team Penske's cars remain at the top of the rankings.

“I’m not going in with a revenge mindset, but we’re all really motivated for the race, to try to put this behind us. One piece of news chases another, so if we could win the race, that would be a good way to move forward! I think everyone is focused on their work. People need to step up now because we’re missing some key people, and that can be motivating for people. For example, I need to take on more work and responsibility. You know, that’s the case for everyone on the team right now. I think it’s in situations like this that you get the best out of everyone. No one is ever ready for that. That’s why racing is so good. I think it’s in tough situations that I give my best. You see how good you are.”

To win a second time at Indianapolis, however, he will have to come from last on the grid, something no driver has managed in the past. Having already started at the back of the field in 2021, the Australian knows he will need to adopt a patient and focused approach to be able to fight through the 804-kilometer race. And break a record if he were to win, as no driver has won the Indy 500 from higher than 28th on the grid.

"It's been harder in recent years because the field is so tight. It's still absolutely possible, you can get a very good position, especially thanks to the yellow flags. The car is good, it's fast, and it seems to handle traffic well. I've started deep like that in the past, so I know what I need: a very clean and solid day."

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