The future of Will Power

Will Power is the new IndyCar champion. But what now for the Australian?

I think he had the talent to do F1, but not the money. But perhaps, as with Lotterer, there will be a chance to show his skills in F1.

NASCAR - I don't think he is really interested in it.

So will he just stay for more years in IndyCar?

Why not? Unless someone comes along and offers him a pile of money to do F1 or WEC there just isn't a higher level of racing out there (I'll take it as rote that he's not interested in NASCAR) so Indycars would be a good place to stay.

Power will be 34 by the time the next F1 season gets underway, so I don't think a move there would be a starter.

It would be interesting to see him in a sportscar, but unusually for an Indycar driver of his experience he hasn't raced one yet. Perhaps if Penske decides to revive its operation for IMSA.

Did you know he finished on the podium in the first-ever A1GP feature race at Brands Hatch? I reckon we're due a retrospective on that series next year. A lot of interesting drivers passed through.

Edited by Risil, 31 August 2014 - 11:40.

Recall reading something about a Penske entry in V8 Supercars next year...might he be interested in that?

Otherwise, I can see him sticking around IndyCar for a while. As for F1, it's unlikely - but then we thought that about Lotterer! Think it is a bit of a shame that in this day and age, 33-34 is considered getting on a bit in F1. We've really been robbed of seeing what some very talented drivers from other categories could do in F1 if they were given the chance.

I see him staying put for a while. He's such a rough diamond that IndyCar is more or less the ideal environment for him.

What I'm interested to see is how he goes with the monkey off his back. He is notoriously effected by his emotions, perhaps with the confidence of "Yes, i can do it", he may become unstoppable.

Like TK, Dario and plenty more who could probably have made it in F1 I think he'll be content to be a big fish in a smaller pond. Just look at what happened to Seabass. Even if a big-time team offered Will a seat, I still see him more as Michael Andretti than Mario or JV. Added to which, just about his entire career has been in spec series: the higher tech and inequality of equipment in F1 would be a very big jump.

Why would Power be interested in F1? He's a top gun in Indycar, he should just stay there. It makes no sense for him to drive in a Caterham at the back of the grid in F1.

I think he's perfectly suited to where he is fine, unless him, Hunter and Sato start a bumper car league, then he should go there.

Many many more years at Penske, and then probably some form of retirement.

I'd like to see him in a Penske NASCAR just for giggles though, maybe Sonoma or something.

Hell let's go all the way. Verizon Truck at Mosport.

Why would Power be interested in F1? He's a top gun in Indycar, he should just stay there. It makes no sense for him to drive in a Caterham at the back of the grid in F1.

Agreed. Whats wrong with just racing in indycar? 

I mean its one of the top non-F1 series. He can go on to win multiple championships fairly easily.

Agreed. Whats wrong with just racing in indycar? 

 

I mean its one of the top non-F1 series. He can go on to win multiple championships fairly easily.

You don't watch Indy though do you? 

F1 and Indy won't be trading any drivers soon. Reigning four-time Champ Car champion Bourdais struggled in F1, Barrichello who could have competently continued in F1 struggled in IndyCar. 

Like TK, Dario and plenty more who could probably have made it in F1 I think he'll be content to be a big fish in a smaller pond. Just look at what happened to Seabass. Even if a big-time team offered Will a seat, I still see him more as Michael Andretti than Mario or JV. Added to which, just about his entire career has been in spec series: the higher tech and inequality of equipment in F1 would be a very big jump.

Jeez that is a great post! I agree with every point.

You don't watch Indy though do you? 

 

F1 and Indy won't be trading any drivers soon. Reigning four-time Champ Car champion Bourdais struggled in F1, Barrichello who could have competently continued in F1 struggled in IndyCar. 

Indeed. I don't see the need to compare them in that way, despite the vague similarity in appearance.

Jeez that is a great post! I agree with every point.

With that kind of logic, I could just as easily say Ryan Briscoe > Nico Rosberg, based on the 2003 Euro F3 season. Bourdais hasn't exactly torn it up since returning to Indycar...

Edited by Prost1997T, 31 August 2014 - 15:42.

I see him staying put for a while. He's such a rough diamond that IndyCar is more or less the ideal environment for him.

What I'm interested to see is how he goes with the monkey off his back. He is notoriously effected by his emotions, perhaps with the confidence of "Yes, i can do it", he may become unstoppable.

Yeah, Power seems a lot like a confidence driver. Though as always there are no guarantees, you may have lots of unluck and not win anything. But what seems clear is that he is likely to compete for more titles, and it is pretty likely he'll win more. He has been in title contention ever since 2010 (with the exception of 2013) and there is no reason why he shouldn't be carrying on. Franchitti and Castroneves have been competing for titles in their late 30s, so Power could still have a good 5 more years left in him.

Generally I expect him to carry on with IndyCar-career. F1? Too late. Sportscars? Don't know, IndyCar seems to suit Power perfectly well. I see him having the motivation to try to win multiple titles and become a proper IndyCar legend, because he certainly has the talent to be one.

Edited by jonpollak, 31 August 2014 - 18:37.

Edited by slideways, 01 September 2014 - 01:03.

He was not really F1 caliber. A rough diamond as Peat said, viewed as a clear step behind guys like Webber or Marcos Ambrose in Australian circles.

He has got the job done fourth time round in the best team against a sub par field but he would get eaten alive in an f1 teammate fight or even a local series like v8 super cars.

No shame in that. As an Aussie I am a massive fan of his grit, determination and fighting his balls off every time.

While I agree he's not the cream of the crop, I wouldn't say he's any lower tier than Mark Webber who never won a championship before F1. Power took race wins in a very competitive World Series by Renault 3.5 in only a half year for his rookie season. 2 wins and 2 additional podiums in 12 races against guys like Robert Kubica shows he still has plenty of pace.

Edited by Thomas99, 01 September 2014 - 01:27.

He's missed his calling as a hat model....

Is at Penske.

The best open wheel team in North America.