Power figured something like this current Ganassi-McLaren issue was going to pop up eventually.
- On Tuesday, Ganassi Racing released a statement that the organization was exercising its option to retain IndyCar champion Alex Palou in 2023.
- That was followed four hours later by a release from rival McLaren Racing claiming it had signed Palou for 2023, coupled with some contentious tweets from Palou.
- While much of the IndyCar world was shocked at what transpired and finger-pointing that is sure to follow, IndyCar veteran Will Power wasn’t.
Will Power had heard the rumbles, the rumors, the whispers, the behind closed doors chatter: something was afoot between Chip Ganassi, defending NTT IndyCar Series champion Alex Palou and Team McLaren.
Then the situation exploded Tuesday, with Ganassi releasing a statement that the organization was exercising its option to retain Palou in 2023. That was followed four hours later by a release from McLaren claiming it had signed Palou for 2023, coupled with some contentious tweets from Palou.
But while much of the IndyCar world was shocked, Power wasn’t. He anticipated something like this was going to happen eventually.
“Yeah, it’s kind of good for the series really to have a bit of action in the paddock.”
“I’ve heard rumors around the paddock of exactly what’s transpiring right now,” Power said during this week’s IndyCar media call prior to Sunday’s street race in Toronto.
He then added with a chuckle, “Yeah, it’s kind of good for the series really to have a bit of action in the paddock.”
Power then returned to a serious tone, adding, “I don’t know the details of everything that has gone on there (but) it’s going to be interesting to see how that whole thing plays out.”
At this writing, Palou—currently fourth in the IndyCar standings, 35 points behind series leader Indianapolis 500 winner and Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Marcus Ericsson—is still slated to drive the No. 10 NTT Data Honda in Sunday’s race.
But Power readily admits it will be a very tenuous if not contentious situation both on race day as well as for the other seven remaining races on the schedule.
“I think that’s been a distraction all year for those guys because this whole thing has been going on behind the scenes,” Power said. “(It’s) not ideal if you’re fighting for a championship within a team. Definitely not ideal.”
While there have been contract squabbles between drivers and team owners over the years, Power hasn’t seen anything like the current battle pitting Ganassi vs. Palou and McLaren.
Will Power (12) says fighting for a championship against a teammate can create distractions.
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But, Power also said that while this is somewhat of a new battle in the sport, it happens with regularity in every day corporate life.
“I have not seen this in IndyCar,” he said. “I mean, this sort of thing goes on obviously all the time (in) various businesses. It’s just one of those things where it’s going to come down to the wording in the contract simply.”
With his well-known knack of turning lemons into good-natured lemonade, Power then went into somewhat of a comedy routine similar to that of his brother, Australian comedian Damien Power, talking about how much of an impact McLaren and its chief principal, Zak Brown, potentially could have had on Will if he was born 20 years later than he was.
“Yeah, man, I wish there was Zak Brown around when I was that age, when I first got to IndyCar, because I know I would have got a chance in Formula 1,” Power said. “It’s cool to see that because I know how that feels.”
Budding IndyCar star Colton Herta had, from all reports, a successful two-day test for McLaren earlier this week in Portugal, a potential precursor for Herta to race in Formula 1 in the near future.
“I know how awesome that would be for Colton,” Power said. “I really hope, if he goes there, he does really well. But, yeah, I mean, a great opportunity. It’s just so fantastic to have a team like McLaren and Zak Brown in IndyCar. I think it’s great for the series. It’s good for the young guys here obviously. It’s great what Zak Brown is doing, I do. Cool to see.”
Power agreed that because Brown and McLaren can dangle not only opportunities with its IndyCar team, Arrow McLaren SP, as well as the potential for young drivers like Herta, Pato O’Ward or Palou to compete in F1, puts the organization on a higher plane than most other IndyCar teams.
“Absolutely,” Power said. “That would be 100% why Palou would want to go there. I don’t blame him honestly. I mean, I would be the same. If you had a chance to go and race in F1, as big as F1 is now, yeah, you would want to go there. It’s pretty cool.
“You think about the reach that McLaren has, Formula E, Formula 1, sports cars. Man, it’s a pretty good place, pretty good organization to be involved with.
Will Power totally understands why IndyCar champion Alex Palou might want to scoot over to Zak Brown’s McLaren Racing.
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Power said McLaren is “right there” with other IndyCar powerhouses such as Team Penske and Team Ganassi.
“Adding Rossi to the team, there’s a guy with a lot of experience,” Power said of 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner Alexander Rossi, who will be leaving Andretti Autosport at the end of this season to join McLaren’s IndyCar team. “That’s kind of what it needed. Yeah, they’re there, man. They’re very, very strong. They’re a very good team.”
Power and the rest of the IndyCar Series returns this weekend to Toronto—one of the most popular races on the schedule—for the first time since 2019. Both Toronto races in 2020 and 2021 were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Power is a three-time winner of the event north of the border, the most triumphs on the Ontario province street course among active drivers. He also has two poles there.
When asked how much he’s looking forward to returning to Toronto, Power replied, “Yeah, very much so. I love the city there, and the track is very unique. There really isn’t a track that we go to that’s like that.
“It’s near impossible to get a good balance in the car, so it’s a lot of compromise. I feel like it’s a real driver’s track. It’s pretty hard.”
While Power said he doubts the kind of current situation between Palou and Ganassi would ever happen with Team Penske, he wouldn’t mind having Ganassi’s No. 1 driver and Power’s close friend, Scott Dixon, as a teammate one day before they both ultimately retire from racing.
“I would love to be Scott Dixon’s teammate,” Power said. “Maybe that will happen at some point here. … It would be a strong team, a very strong team.
Keyword: Will Power Says Alex Palou Controversy Might Just Be Good for IndyCar Series