![\"Will](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/will-power-andretti-global-hon.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWill Power has heaped high praise on the working relationship built with Andretti Global teammates Kyle\u00a0Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson during his first season with the organization in 2026.<\/p>\n
Following the team\u2019s decision to renew Ericsson\u2019s contract for 2027, announced earlier this week, the two-time IndyCar Series champion expressed relief and excitement for the future. Kirkwood, currently third in the championship, signed a multi-year extension before the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is important,\u201d Power said, regarding the value of team chemistry. \u201cI was really happy to hear that [Ericsson\u2019s renewal]. I have really enjoyed this year because Kyle and Marcus are so good to work with. It\u2019s been a great atmosphere. It would have been a pity not to continue that, so really excited that we\u2019re all together again next year.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Will Power, Andretti Global Honda<\/p>\n
Photo by: James Gilbert \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n
Despite results not always reflecting their speed, Power remains confident in the trajectory of the program.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we all feel like we\u2019re going to have a great year (in 2027),\u201d Power added. \u201cWe have made big gains this year in many areas, whether it\u2019s pit stops, whether it\u2019s car builds, whether it\u2019s road courses, ovals. It\u2019s all been good stuff. We\u2019ve all contributed. It was very nice to hear that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Power\u2019s inaugural campaign with Andretti follows a landmark 17-season tenure with Team Penske. Power sits 14th in the standings with four top-10 finishes from 12 races, although that record has not always reflected his underlying pace. Beyond pure lap times, Power has brought invaluable experience from one of\u00a0IndyCar\u2019s modern powerhouses.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou spend so many years in these cars, you have a pretty good idea of where you need to be,\u201d Power said. \u201cEvery team has different philosophies. It\u2019s such a competitive environment now that it\u2019s going to be very specific for every track.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe certainly made some big changes oval-wise and road course-wise (compared to) where they [Andretti] were running last year. It\u2019s all been good. It\u2019s just good to have someone from the outside that has been around another team for a long time. We combined our ideas together and come up with really good stuff. It\u2019s a great team. It really is. Really good people. A great working atmosphere, actually. I find it to be very fun in the engineering office, (with) teammates.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Will](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/will-power-andretti-global.jpg\")
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Will Power, Andretti Global<\/p>\n
Photo by: Brandon Badraoui \/ Lumen via Getty Images<\/p>\n
The attention is now on Portland International Raceway this weekend, serving as a benchmark for Andretti\u2019s road course progress. During last season\u2019s visit to the Pacific Northwest, Colton Herta<\/a> led the team in 10th place, while Kirkwood and Ericsson both finished a lap down. Ericsson served as the team\u2019s top qualifier in 11th.<\/p>\n Early signs this weekend indicate progress. Kirkwood ended opening practice second overall after setting the fastest lap on the alternate tire compound, while Power finished fourth and Ericsson 12th. However, Power noted that track conditions made evaluating setup balance tricky.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a strange, strange session because it actually got slower on a quicker tire,\u201d said Power, who won the past two Portland races during his time with Penske. \u201cI think what happens is the Indy NXT rubber gets taken off [the track] as you go along; the Indy NXT rubber is quite soft and good.<\/p>\n \u201cSo it\u2019s sort of hard to truly know where we stack up. We certainly were not where we needed to be on the hard compound. We were way off. Definitely have to think about it tonight and see what we need to do to get closer to the mark.\u201d<\/p>\n Although Andretti still needs to find pace on the primary tyre, Power takes confidence from having team-mates whose feedback he trusts.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you have a teammate that\u2019s really quick \u2013 because you have a very good reference, you look at everything,\u201d Power said. \u201cI really trust what Kyle\u2019s feedback is. His feedback is very accurate. Definitely good to have a teammate like that.\u201d<\/p>\n Read Also:<\/p>\n We want your opinion!<\/p>\n What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?<\/p>\n