INDYCAR: Will Power to take over for F1-bound Colton Herta
INDIANAPOLIS — Will Power is going to Andretti Global’s NTT INDYCAR Series team to take over for Formula 1-bound Colton Herta.
Power, 44, will join Andretti after 17 seasons with Team Penske. Penske announced Power’s departure a day before Andretti’s signing.
Not long after Cadillac announced they signed Herta as their F1 test driver, Andretti named Power as Herta’s successor in the No. 26 Honda for 2026.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting all the Andretti team and getting to work in 2026. They have some very smart people, and I know it will be enjoyable to get to winning,” Power said. “I have tremendous respect for Kyle [Kirkwood] and Marcus [Ericsson]. I’ve had some great battles racing against them, and I think we’re going to make a great combination as teammates.
“This is a whole new chapter for me. I have to say that sometimes a change of scenery and a fresh start is very energizing. I can’t wait.”
Power not only had praise for his new team but also his predecessor.
“Colton [Herta] is someone that I’ve been massively impressed with for a while. He has a lot of natural ability, and I think he’s going to do a great job over in Europe. I’m excited to watch him,” Power said.
Colton Herta’s move to become the Cadillac F1 test driver marks a long-awaited return to racing in Europe. Herta made his European racing debut in 2015 – at age 15. He earned four wins, six podium finishes and five pole positions in two Euroformula Open Championship seasons. He also earned a British F3 win.
Now 25 years old, Herta has built up his resume. He has nine INDYCAR wins and three top-five points finishes in seven full-time seasons – and is ready to pursue his F1 dreams.
“My dream has always been to race in Formula 1, and I see this move as a huge step towards that goal. For now, my focus is on giving everything I can to Cadillac F1, helping build a competitive team,” Herta said.
MORE: INDYCAR: Will Power out at Team Penske
Herta finished seventh in the 2025 INDYCAR points standings. Power finished ninth with a win at Portland International Raceway.
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Jonathan Fjeld View All
Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.
A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.
Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick's final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen's stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers' stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.
Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com