FIRST MOVES IN INDYCAR FOR 2026: POWER TO ANDRETTI, HERTA CHASES F1 DREAM
The 2026 IndyCar season will see some of the biggest driver changes in recent years, with veterans switching teams, young drivers stepping up, and Colton Herta making a bold move to chase his Formula 1 dream.
Will Power leaves Penske
The biggest news for 2026 is Will Power leaving Team Penske to join Andretti Global. Power, a two-time IndyCar champion and one of the most successful drivers in the series’ history, has spent almost his entire career with Penske, 17 years. His move marks the end of a long era and is a major change for both driver and team.
At Andretti, Power will replace Colton Herta, who is leaving IndyCar to focus on Formula 2 and a future Formula 1 opportunity. For Andretti, bringing in Power means gaining a proven champion with over 40 career wins. He brings stability, experience, and leadership to a team that has been inconsistent in recent seasons.
For Power, this is a chance to start a new chapter late in his career and to help elevate Andretti back into regular championship contention. His experience with Penske’s highly organized structure could be valuable in strengthening Andretti’s operations.
Malukas gets promoted, VeeKay to Foyt
With Power leaving Penske, the team quickly turned to David Malukas as his replacement. Malukas has built a reputation as one of IndyCar’s most promising young drivers this season, showing strong speed and composure despite not always having top-level equipment at Dale Coyne and later AJ Foyt, qualifying many times in the top 5, but always missing out on his first win.
Joining Penske gives him the best opportunity of his career so far, with access to top engineering, strategy, and resources. Penske rarely takes chances on unproven drivers, so Malukas’s signing shows the team believes he has the talent to win races and fight for championships in the near future.
At AJ Foyt Racing, Malukas’s departure opened a seat, and that spot will be filled by Rinus VeeKay. VeeKay leaves Dale Coyne Racing after several seasons and will look for a fresh start with Foyt.
Hauger Linked to IndyCar Debut
With Rinus VeeKay leaving Dale Coyne Racing for AJ Foyt, an important seat has opened up, and the leading candidate to take it is Dennis Hauger. The Norwegian driver is coming off a strong 2025 season where he won the Indy NXT championship, the main feeder series into IndyCar. Winning that title usually guarantees attention from top teams, and for Hauger, it looks like his next step will be a full-time IndyCar debut in 2026.
Hauger has also been linked with Juncos Hollinger Racing, meaning his exact destination is still to be confirmed. Both Coyne and Juncos are known for giving young drivers opportunities to prove themselves, and either option would give Hauger valuable experience without the immediate pressure of racing for a top-three team.
If the move happens, Hauger would bring a fresh international presence to the grid. He already has a solid junior background in Europe, including experience in Formula 2, before making the switch to the American ladder. His Indy NXT title showed he can adapt quickly, and many see him as one of the more polished rookies entering IndyCar in recent years.
Prema’s Budget Struggles
Prema Racing, one of Europe’s most successful junior single-seater teams, entered IndyCar in 2025 with high ambitions, but the financial reality has quickly caught up to them. Unlike the established teams, Prema does not hold an IndyCar charter for its cars. This is a major disadvantage because the charter system functions like a franchise tag.
What the Charter System Means:
- Guaranteed Entry: Teams with a charter are guaranteed a spot on the grid for every race, including the Indianapolis 500. Prema, without one, must fight for entry in every event.
- Financial Bonus: The Leader’s Circle provides a substantial payout to the 22 highest-finishing chartered cars, money that is crucial for covering season expenses. Prema is not eligible for this bonus.
- Limited Availability: Only 25 charters exist across the grid, and all are taken. That makes Prema the only current IndyCar team operating without a charter.
The lack of a charter has put Prema in a tough position. Without guaranteed starts or access to Leader’s Circle funding, they’ve struggled to cover the costs of competing in a full season. As a result, it is said that the team is exploring a partnership with Juncos Hollinger Racing for 2026. Such a collaboration would give Prema more stability and allow them to share resources with an established team, while Juncos could benefit from Prema’s strong technical background and European connections.
Until a solution is found, Prema’s future in IndyCar remains uncertain, and their situation could also influence where new drivers, like Indy NXT champion Dennis Hauger, end up racing in 2026.
Herta Turns to Europe
One of the biggest storylines for 2026 is Colton Herta stepping away from IndyCar to pursue his long-standing Formula 1 ambitions. Instead of returning to Andretti, Herta will race in Formula 2 next season, with either Prema or MP Motorsport as his likely destination. F2 is the final step before F1, and this move allows Herta to collect the remaining Super Licence points he needs to be eligible for a Formula 1 race seat.
Herta has also been announced as Cadillac’s Formula 1 reserve driver. This role links him directly to TWG Motorsports, the group behind Cadillac’s F1 project. TWG has made it clear they want an American driver on the F1 grid by 2027 or 2028, and Herta is currently their top candidate. Being a reserve driver allows him to integrate into the F1 environment, spending time with the team, learning the systems, and potentially getting test sessions behind the wheel.
For IndyCar, Herta’s departure is a big loss. He has been one of the most exciting young talents in the series and a fan favorite since his debut. His absence leaves a gap at Andretti, which they have filled with Will Power, but it also removes one of the drivers most capable of challenging the established stars.
For Herta personally, this is a high-risk, high-reward move. If he succeeds in F2 and earns the necessary Super Licence points, he strengthens his case for a full-time F1 seat. If he struggles, he could face a difficult road back into IndyCar. Either way, his decision underlines the growing connection between IndyCar, Formula 2, and Formula 1, and the push to see an American driver competing at the very top of the sport.
Looking Ahead
These changes set up an exciting 2026 season. Power in Andretti colors, Malukas stepping up at Penske, and VeeKay taking on a new challenge at Foyt all reshuffle the grid. Hauger’s expected debut adds a new face, while Prema’s future could depend on a partnership.
And while Herta steps away from IndyCar, his move could have a major impact on American motorsport if he reaches Formula 1. The domino effect of his decision is already being felt across IndyCar teams.
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