Will Power exits Penske era; Malukas eyed to take the ride, with development planned at AJ Foyt Racing in 2025
Will Power’s long-running stint with Team Penske is coming to a close, with the replacement already signaling a new chapter but not yet officially named. David Malukas, signed by Penske late in 2024, is expected to fill the seat, but the exact arrangement and timing were not disclosed in the announcement. The plan calls for Malukas to be developed with Penske’s technical affiliate AJ Foyt Racing ahead of 2025, as the team reshapes its IndyCar lineup.
The 44-year-old Australian leaves after 17 seasons as Penske’s most successful driver. Power racked up 42 wins in 45 IndyCar races for Penske and claimed 65 of his record-setting 71 pole positions while driving Penske machinery. He powered Penske to IndyCar championships in 2014 and 2022 and took the Indianapolis 500 crown in 2018. Power’s departure also ends him as Penske’s leading driver in the 2025 championship battle, having topped the team’s standings ahead of Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin.
“It’s been the honor of my life to drive for Roger and the Penske organization,” Power said. “We’ve accomplished so much together, and I’ll always be grateful for my time with the team and my teammates. After much consideration, I felt like a change for me was the right move at this time.”
Penske chairman Roger Penske added, “Will has been an outstanding driver and teammate for our organization. His results speak for themselves, and we wish him the very best in the next phase of his career.”
Power’s journey with Penske began in 2009 when the team needed a temporary replacement for Helio Castroneves, who was sidelined by tax evasion charges. Power initially stepped into Castroneves’ car, finishing sixth at St. Petersburg and second at Long Beach before Castroneves returned and continued to race. After a promising start, Power earned a first full season with Penske in 2010, winning five races and finishing second in the championship. He followed with another strong year in 2011 with six wins, and his career with Penske culminated in championships in 2014 and 2022, along with the 2018 Indy 500 victory. Across his time with Penske, Power finished inside the top five 13 times, a mark matched only by teammate Helio Castroneves among Penske drivers, and he accrued 102 podiums in Penske-built cars out of 108.
Power’s move is expected to open a path for Malukas to a seat with Andretti Global to backfill Colton Herta’s position, though the arrangement remains unconfirmed. The development signals Penske’s continued evolution of its IndyCar lineup and a broader reshuffling of top teams as drivers seek new opportunities.
What this means going forward:
– Penske will continue to contest the IndyCar scene with a refreshed lineup, while Power begins a new chapter after a storied era with the team.
– Malukas’ progression in 2025 will be watched closely as he transitions into a Penske-backed program and works with AJ Foyt Racing to gain experience.
– Power’s next destination could have a significant impact on the Andretti Global lineup, should the expected move to backfill a high-profile seat come to fruition.
– Power leaves a lasting legacy at Penske: a driver whose record-setting pole total and multiple championships helped define the team’s modern success.
Summary: Will Power’s departure marks the end of a transformative era at Team Penske, capped by crowned championships, an Indianapolis 500 win, and a pole-record pace that defined his time with the organization. The anticipated arrival of David Malukas, development work with AJ Foyt Racing, and potential shifts at Andretti Global set the stage for a busy 2025 season in IndyCar, as Penske realigns its strengths and Power begins a new chapter. A hopeful note is that these changes could inject fresh energy into the paddock and open opportunities for new rivalries and stories on the track.