Will Power still adjusting to 'military-like' Andretti Global

Will Power isn't used to adjusting to new race teams. 

The NTT IndyCar Series veteran drove for Team Penske from 2009-25, putting together a legendary career that included an Indianapolis 500 victory and two series championships.

But Power left Penske at the conclusion of 2025 after the organization didn't offer to keep him on long-term. He instead moved to Andretti Global and is coming off his first podium effort, a third-place finish on the streets of Arlington, Texas, on March 15. 

"I think this year I really believe I'm in a position to win a championship," Power said Wednesday. "Next year absolutely, absolutely. But this year we're there already. Making gains immediately."

Power is 12th in the standings through three events, 67 points back of leader Kyle Kirkwood. That's due to finishes of 22nd and 16th, respectively, at St. Petersburg and Phoenix to kick off the year. 

Those results doesn't mean there hasn't been speed every week, however. Power was quick in St. Petersburg and at Phoenix before being relegated to poor finishes in both races. He said Wednesday he believed he could've contended for a victory in all three races to start 2026.

Will Power still getting used to Andretti Global

Power mentioned Wednesday what he believed to be the biggest differences between Penske and Andretti. 

"The way they do their debriefs is very military-like," Power said. "They certainly have good processes put in place. Not quite as lax in that respect as Penske. They definitely have more people there. It's interesting. I can see why we're running at the front, to be honest. Like the team is very good. I am very impressed.

"Obviously they've also had feedback from someone from another team that's been at another team for a long time, sort of giving feedback on how the car feels from what I'm used to make it a bit easier for me to drive. I think it's something that is good for the team directionally in some aspects."

Power will look to keep his momentum rolling on Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, a track where he won in 2011 and 2012. Power has not finished outside of the top-five at Barber since 2019.

"Spent a lot of time at that track over the years, but so has everyone," Power said. "The little details do matter. You definitely get down to very fine details and different lines you can take, how you approach the track.

"I feel like I know it well now. I know how to extract time. Because it's a new team, car, I don't quite know how that car will feel there. It probably makes it a little easier because I know so many details about the track and how to be fast there."

Sunday's Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix will go green shortly after 1 p.m. ET, with coverage on Fox and the IndyCar Radio Network.

Quotes provided by IndyCar Media.