Will Power’s long-anticipated first on-track appearance with Andretti Global concluded on an encouraging note, as the two-time NTT IndyCar Series champion described his maiden outing with the team as “very good” following a Firestone tyre development test at Phoenix Raceway.
The 44-year-old Australian, embarking on a new chapter after an extraordinary 17-season association with Team Penske, took to the one-mile Phoenix tri-oval on Wednesday in an understated all-black firesuit. Power drove the No. 26 Honda, a fittingly minimal aesthetic for a session focused not on spectacle, but on acclimatisation and technical validation. He was joined on track by former Penske team-mate Josef Newgarden as Firestone continued preparations for an open test scheduled for 17–18 February, ahead of IndyCar’s joint race weekend with NASCAR on 6–7 March.
The four-hour session served as a confirmation test following a previous two-day outing at the venue in November, which featured Scott Dixon for Chip Ganassi Racing and Alexander Rossi for Ed Carpenter Racing. According to Firestone, the Phoenix running forms part of its ongoing superspeedway tyre development programme. Of particular note is a significantly revised right-front tyre, wider than any previously raced in IndyCar competition. The altered construction is designed to deliver increased lateral grip, addressing long-standing balance challenges on high-speed ovals.
Track conditions were far from ideal, with overcast skies and ambient temperatures hovering in the mid-50s Fahrenheit throughout the day. Yet Power suggested that the greater adjustment lay not in the weather, but in adapting to life away from the familiar Penske environment.
Despite the inevitable learning curve, Power was encouraged by his early impressions, particularly of the Honda power unit and Andretti’s operational approach. Much of his focus was on building rapport with his new race engineer, Andy Listes, and adjusting to differences in cockpit ergonomics and team procedures—details that had long been second nature at Penske.
The Phoenix test also carried personal significance. When IndyCar last raced at the circuit in 2018, Power qualified third and led 80 laps before contact ended his race prematurely. It remains one of several missed opportunities at a venue he enjoys but feels has yet to reward him fully.
With Phoenix returning to the schedule and an open test looming, Power believes the additional track time will be invaluable for Andretti Global, a team keen to strengthen its competitiveness on ovals.
Key Details: Phoenix Tyre Test
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Circuit | Phoenix Raceway (1-mile tri-oval) |
| Test Duration | Four hours |
| Purpose | Firestone superspeedway tyre development |
| Key Tyre Change | Wider right-front tyre for increased lateral grip |
| Teams Involved | Andretti Global, Team Penske |
| Power’s Car | No. 26 Honda |
| Conditions | Cloudy, mid-50s °F |
While the lap times remain confidential, the broader objective was clear: to lay the groundwork for Power’s integration into Andretti Global and to refine technical packages ahead of competitive running. On both counts, the opening day of this new partnership appears to have delivered exactly what was required.