NTT INDYCAR CONTENT DAYS

January 18, 2022

Will Power

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We have Will Power joining us here. Will, what do you think? Down to three cars, ready to roll?

WILL POWER: Yeah, it's going to make a big difference. No...

Q. What is the difference?

WILL POWER: Really not much. I don't think it'll be a big difference. A little bit quieter in the engineering office.

Q. How's home life with the little one around?

WILL POWER: It's good. It's very enjoyable. Very, very enjoyable.

Q. What do you think you'll need to do this season to kind of improve on what happened last year?

WILL POWER: I mean, a good example of that was the second race at the Indy Road Course. The first race we struggled. Obviously reviewed that very closely and then came back and were once again very strong.

We had quite a few tracks we struggled at last year, so we've got plenty of stuff to look at. We'll do our homework and try and understand why we struggled and then move -- yeah, do what we do best.

Q. Do you think in that regard then, kind of condensing the team down to three cars, will that improve things in terms of the way you kind of pick up data amongst yourselves?

WILL POWER: I didn't get the exact question.

Q. Just in terms of when you guys are exchanging data between the three of you, is that better than doing it with four?

WILL POWER: No, it's better to have more data, but it's still three cars, still plenty of data.

Q. Apologies for the sidestep from INDYCAR, but given your past involvement, I was wondering if you have any thoughts about the recent changes at Force Indy regarding Myles Rowe with the team now choosing to leave USF2000 and focus on Indy Lights and Ernie Francis Jr instead?

WILL POWER: Yeah, Myles is start working with him to get something, actually. He's going to -- pretty sure he'll be starting the season in F2000. I'm pretty confident in saying that.

Yeah, I think with Ernie Francis Jr., I think Roger wants to get an African-American in the INDYCAR Series as soon as possible. I think with his experience and talent, there's a good chance that he'll be the guy.

We'll see, but certainly keeping Myles on the Road to Indy.

Q. Are you still in contact with him, with Myles? Are you trying to help him further his career?

WILL POWER: Yes. Yep. Still speaking to him, still texting with him and still working to get him in a seat for this year.

Q. You spoke about this in written format, but could you talk through how instrumental Kevin Kalkhoven was in getting you where you are today?

WILL POWER: Yeah. I mean, from a series perspective, he kept Champ Car alive, between him and Jerry Forsythe, and from a team perspective he gave me that opportunity in 2008 where I was probably going to -- I wasn't sure where I was going to be. I was fortunate to end up with that team. It was a great team to drive for. I got the last Champ Car win at Long Beach there with Kevin, so I was very sad to hear of his passing. I think he contributed a lot to open wheel racing in the U.S.

He will be remembered for what he did for open wheel racing.

Q. What will be the focus for this year to be a better year than last year?

WILL POWER: I think, yeah, we've done some good development for this year. Obviously going to -- whenever you struggle it always seems to -- you always seem to come back stronger because you have a closer look at exactly what's going on and why.

Yep, I hope we're more competitive.

Q. It seems there's some reshuffling in the engineering department at Team Penske, but they always leave you and David Faustino alone. How important is that, that they let the two of you remain one item?

WILL POWER: Yeah, I think that was -- yep, very grateful. You get to know your engineer so well, and he knows you so well. You certainly mix well to get the car going in the right direction quickly.

Yeah, it feels very at home you could say.

Q. Also, Graham Rahal was in here today and stressed the point that the weight of the INDYCAR with all the changes and the aeroscreen and now hybrid has gotten significantly heavier. You used to be INDYCAR's king of the road winning all the road course races and street course races back about 2010, 2011. How big of an impact is that going to have on the drivable of the car?

WILL POWER: I think the car is too heavy. I think once they add that hybrid thing, it's too much. Too much. It already was with the wind screen. It's become less and less nimble.

They've got to find a way to lose some weight out of the car.