Full Breakdown
Will Power's Challenging Debut with Andretti Global at St. Petersburg
3/1/2026, 8:28:02 PM
Early Incident in Practice Session
Will Power's debut race weekend with Andretti Global faced a significant setback during the second practice session for the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Just three minutes into the session, Power crashed his No. 26 Honda after locking up in Turn 10 and colliding with the outside wall, resulting in substantial damage to the car. The incident prompted a red flag, halting the session. Power expressed regret for the impact on his team, stating, “I just feel bad for the team... to miss this session was a big hit for us considering the session we had yesterday.”
Background on Will Power's Transition
Power, a two-time winner at St. Petersburg and a veteran driver with 17 seasons at Team Penske, signed a multiyear contract with Andretti Global at the beginning of the year. His transition comes after a disappointing 12th place finish in the IndyCar standings in 2025, marking his lowest performance since his rookie year in 2009. The move to Andretti Global, where he reunites with former strategist Ron Ruzewski, aims to revitalize his career.
Complications During the Session
The conditions during the practice session were humid, creating a narrow dry line on the track. Power acknowledged that he had experienced lock-up issues in the previous practice session, which contributed to the crash. He noted, “It was just a lock-up... I had a lot of issues yesterday that we hopefully resolved.” Despite the setback, Power remained hopeful about qualifying later that day, although he expressed uncertainty about whether a backup car would be necessary due to the extent of the damage.
Additional Crashes in Practice
Power was not the only driver to encounter difficulties during the session. Christian Rasmussen, driving the No. 21 Chevrolet for Ed Carpenter Racing, also crashed with just over eight minutes remaining. Rasmussen's car spun in Turn 1 and hit the wall, damaging the nosecone and forcing him to exit the vehicle.
Official Statements & Responses
In light of the incidents, Power emphasized the need for quick repairs, stating, “I think you've got to fix that stuff quickly.” His focus remains on recovering from the crash and performing well in the upcoming qualifying session.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I just feel bad for the team,” — Will Power, Driver, Andretti Global
- “Yeah, it was just a lock-up,” — Will Power, Driver, Andretti Global
- “So I think you've got to fix that stuff quickly.” — Will Power, Driver, Andretti Global
What's Next
As the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg approaches, Power and his team will need to assess the damage and determine their strategy for qualifying later in the day. The outcome of this session will be crucial for Power's performance in the race and his inaugural season with Andretti Global.
