A journey of recovery. A quest for redemption. An endeavor to solidify his legacy among IndyCar’s elite.
This season, which commences on Sunday at the 1.8-mile St. Petersburg street course, features key narratives surrounding Will Power, Mick Schumacher, and Álex Palou.
At 44 years old, Power, who dedicated 17 seasons to Team Penske, was the most significant offseason transition as he joined Andretti Global. It would be an exaggeration to label Power’s new venture as an 18-race quest for revenge against his former team; his focus remains firmly on future achievements rather than past grievances.
yet, after perceived devaluation from Team Penske during his final contract year, the two-time IndyCar champion and 2018 Indianapolis 500 victor found renewed motivation when he declined a short-term offer last summer as the opportunity with Andretti arose.
likewise, two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso — another remarkable talent defying age — experienced a similar reckoning in his 40s. Recognizing the potential for a longer career than many expected, he switched from Alpine to Aston Martin, where he defied expectations and secured fourth place in the championship in his debut season.
Power will turn 45 on Sunday, marking a new chapter akin to Alonso’s transition with Andretti. It is believed that he has secured a new three-year contract, negotiated on his behalf by Alonso’s management firm, A14.
“I spoke with [his manager] at the beginning of ’25, and we agreed that the ideal scenario was securing a spot with Andretti, as I felt it would grow to be the best team,” Power stated. “It’s amusing how things unfolded.”
The 2025 season posed challenges for Power as he awaited team owner Roger Penske’s decision about the future of their relationship and whether to retain IndyCar’s all-time pole position record holder or pivot toward a younger driver. Until California’s Colton Herta opted for a season in Formula 2 racing in 2026 along with testing for Cadillac’s F1 program, which is owned by Andretti’s parent company TWG Global, Power’s opportunities to join another competitive team remained scarce.
“Honestly, in the middle of the season, if Roger had offered me a one-year deal, I would have accepted it because there were no other desirable seats at Andretti or elsewhere,” Power commented. “So, the situation lingered.”
Power clinched Team Penske’s most recent IndyCar championship, awarded in 2022. Even during a challenging year when the team struggled against its key rivals, Power was the first driver to secure a win for Penske in 2025, triumphing late in the season at Portland and ranking highest among Penske’s three drivers in eighth.
There wasn’t a more pressing moment to say goodbye under dwindling speed, as no signs indicated Power had lost his edge; recognition he craved while waiting for a multi-year extension that never materialized. A one-year offer was proposed but quickly turned down.
“After Portland, an offer was made, but by then, it was too late,” Power explained. “whether or not it had been two years with more money, my decision to join Andretti was done. I had to do this for my own sake.”
Now, Power embarks on this season, trusting in his abilities to perform just as well, if not better, than during his time with Penske, all while bringing his unparalleled intensity to pursue more poles and victories for his second Indy 500 win and third championship.
The return of Schumacher
Mick Schumacher, the son of seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher, joins IndyCar with similar aspirations after his dreams in grand prix racing faded. As the reigning F2 champion and a member of Ferrari’s driver academy, he seemed poised for F1 success, but his stint with the Haas team from 2021-2022, one of the series’ least competitive teams, thwarted his aspirations for a lengthy F1 career.
During his rookie season, which was marred by crashes and overshadowed by team principal Guenther Steiner’s memorable sound bites, Schumacher managed to improve to 16th in the championship in 2022, coming close to veteran teammate Kevin Magnussen in 13th.
His time in F1 would be cut short, leaving Schumacher searching for an opportunity to drive with another team, which led him to Alpine’s global sports car program. After a brief pursuit to return to grand prix racing with Cadillac, his career took a different path, aligning with the Rahal Letterman Lanigan IndyCar team.
Having spent considerable time in the U.S. growing up, including at his father’s expansive ranch in Texas, the idea of rebooting his open-wheel career in a series that began with the first Indy 500 in 1911 feels natural for Schumacher. He aims to revive the legacy associated with his name and rediscover the joy that has eluded him, becoming IndyCar’s most accomplished rookie with RLL.
“I don’t set specific goals for myself,” Schumacher remarked. “The objective is to be comfortable; to establish good chemistry with the car and the team, and then we’ll take it from there. A positive debut weekend would be everyone leaving with smiles rather than frowns.”
“We’re all eager to get started. I know the team has been dedicated, working hard to prepare everything. I’m thrilled to begin this journey.”
Palou’s quest for history
Álex Palou’s journey focuses on making history. Since entering IndyCar in 2020, he has won four championships, including his first in 2021 and the last three consecutively. He aims to become only the second IndyCar driver to achieve four straight championships, a record currently held by his former Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Sebastien Bourdais.
At just 28, Palou possesses both youth and talent, ensuring future chances at a four-peat, but the current season is his sole guaranteed opportunity to match Bourdais.
“It’s incredibly exciting, and it’s not something that happens every year,” Palou shared with ESPN. “If we’re able to pull it off, it will be monumental for all of us. yet, my primary excitement lies in starting the season with a strong team eager to compete for wins. That’s what truly excites me more than simply matching Seb’s record.”
Securing a fifth championship would elevate Palou amongst IndyCar legends, as he currently shares the title of four championships with Bourdais, Dario Franchitti, and the illustrious Mario Andretti. Only two drivers have surpassed this count, including Palou’s teammate Scott Dixon with six and the legendary A.J. Foyt with seven.
The potential of reaching such heights can be overwhelming for this humble father.
“It’s incredible to think that when I retire, I can look at history books and show my daughter our name is in there,” Palou expressed. “Right now, it’s more about winning and reclaiming the championship rather than just chasing records. I feel fortunate to have this opportunity.”
