Will Power, two-time IndyCar champion, has disclosed an important update regarding his contract renewal with Team Penske following a private discussion with team owner Roger Penske after the Detroit Grand Prix on June 1. The 44-year-old driver, currently in the final year of his multi-year contract signed in April 2023, is experiencing a challenging 2025 season, which may be influencing the timing of negotiations.
Power’s current contract is set to expire at the end of this season, but contract talks have been postponed until August, with a chance they could extend beyond the season finale in Nashville on August 31. Despite tough circumstances affecting all Penske drivers—including Scott McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden—Power has performed better relative to his teammates, yet uncertainty remains about the contract’s future.
Addressing whether his difficult season is delaying negotiations, Power explained to Motorsportweek:
“Probably, it has probably pushed their decision a little further down the road. I met with Roger [Penske] after Detroit. He said then it would be August for us to reconvene. It’s still going to be late, maybe even after the season. I don’t have any clue what the scenarios are. I haven’t been told anything. All I’ve been told is ‘We’ll talk in August.’ That’s it.”
—Will Power, IndyCar Driver
Power’s season woes have been frustrating, especially as they coincide with a contract renewal year. He expressed disappointment with the timing of this difficult stretch:
“It’s just unfortunate that we’re having such a bad season overall. That’s just so typical. Those things ebb and flow, and happen to fall in a year I’m up for contract. Let’s see. Still have plenty of races to have some good days.”
—Will Power, IndyCar Driver
So far in 2025, Power has managed four Top 5 finishes and one podium at the Sonsio Grand Prix held on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Nonetheless, his recent results have been marred by two DNFs in three races prior to the upcoming Iowa double-header, further complicating his efforts to regain momentum.
Will Power Voices Concerns Over IndyCar’s New Car Package at Iowa
Will Power also expressed strong dissatisfaction with IndyCar’s new high-downforce, lower-power car package introduced for the 2025 Iowa Speedway double-header scheduled from July 11 to 13. The series implemented this package to enhance competitiveness on the 0.875-mile short oval, especially after NASCAR’s recent repaving made the track faster but less challenging.
Power was among 21 drivers who tested this new setup at Iowa Speedway on June 25. He revealed how the increased downforce significantly amplified physical strain, causing intense G-forces that took a toll on his body.
“I was just trying to say to bloody IndyCar that ‘Man, you gotta take some downforce off’. I’m just waiting for the tire to fail. It’s just insane. It’s painful. Like the G-force is bloody painful,”
—Will Power, IndyCar Driver
This new aerodynamic balance is testing drivers’ endurance ahead of two 275-lap races at Iowa. The first race, the Synk 275, will start at 5:00 pm ET on Saturday, July 12, followed by the Farm to Finish 275 at 1:00 pm ET on Sunday, July 13. Last year, Power won the second race at Iowa, while teammate Scott McLaughlin secured victory in the first.
The Challenge of Maintaining Performance Amid Contract and Car Changes
Power’s contract renewal discussions and dissatisfaction with the new car package add layers of complexity to an already difficult season for Team Penske. With the offseason looming and negotiations delayed until August, the final stretch of the 2025 calendar carries significant weight for the driver’s future.
How Power navigates the rest of the season could impact not only his contract terms but also his role within the team moving forward. The combination of physical demands from the new car package and the pressure to perform amid contract uncertainties sets a tense atmosphere for the remaining races before the season concludes in Nashville.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is will power a real thing?
A. Psychologists describe willpower, or self-control, in specific terms. They define it as the power to wait for rewards, ignoring short-term desires to achieve long-term objectives.
Q. Is will power a thing?
A. Most psychologists say willpower means being able to wait for rewards and avoid immediate temptations to achieve future goals. It’s also the strength to control unwanted thoughts, feelings, or urges.
Q. Is will power genetic?
A. Genetics and the environment both play a role in willpower. Our genes can affect how much self-control we have and what temptations we face. Some people naturally lean towards healthy eating and hard work, so they might not need as much willpower to choose these habits.
Q. Is Will Power good or bad?
A. The term “willpower” can be viewed positively or negatively.
When a person uses determination to achieve something, we praise their success and perseverance, showcasing their willpower. However, when someone appears to lack determination, it is often cited as an explanation for not reaching a goal.