After doubts were raised last week by Pato O’Ward about the ability for cars in the pack to overtake, akin to a Formula 1-style ‘DRS train’, Team Penske’s reigning IndyCar champion Power thinks that tire degradation can play a huge role in allowing drivers to work their way towards the front. In the aftermath of the crash involving Katherine Legge and Stefan Wilson today, Power also predicts more shunts on Sunday because the cars can run very closely together. “It’s actually a really good package,†said Power. “That’s why no one has really crashed [until now], which means it’ll be a very fierce race. I think it’ll be very tight. Maybe there’s more accidents in the race. It’s going to be a good battle.†Power, who won the Indy 500 in 2018, thinks there will be plenty of overtaking between the leaders this weekend, with the cars boasting up to 10 per cent more downforce than last year. “It’s going to be easy to pass, not in the pack but at the front, because you’ve added downforce,†he explained. “The front three will race pretty hard. “You actually haven’t added much drag. The cars are about the same speed because they’re very efficient, aero bits or strakes and some floor stuff, so it’s not big draggy wicker on the wing or anything. It’s the closest I’ve ever been able to run to a car at this place without an issue.†When asked for his thoughts about how difficult it would be to overtake when in a train of cars, Power replied: “It would be ridiculous to have enough downforce for everyone to pass, but the one thing there is, there’s tire deg. So, I think that will create good racing in the pack. “I think if [someone] has a better car that looks after the tire, yeah. The left sides are softer. They get vibrations more easily and the tire degrades, so if it’s a hot day like this, there will be cars coming and going, I think. “I think it’s just because the left sides are softer. They just degrade easier. I haven’t had a set without a vibration yet. I’ve had a couple that have been massive and you have to pit and I’ve had a couple – the last one I just did a full stint, but it’s still there. It’s left-side – left-front and left-rear. Depends which slides more. “I think it makes for better racing. It needed some deg. Yeah, on a good hot day, I think it’ll be a good race.â€
Wilson “doing wellâ€, targets 2024 Indy 500 return from hospital bed
Wilson “doing wellâ€, targets 2024 Indy 500 return from hospital bed
Wilson “doing wellâ€, targets 2024 Indy 500 return from hospital bed
Rahal “can’t believe†Honda allowed him to race a Chevy in Indy 500
Rahal “can’t believe†Honda allowed him to race a Chevy in Indy 500
Rahal “can’t believe†Honda allowed him to race a Chevy in Indy 500
How Porsche’s Daytona hiccups evoked the premiere of its Group C king
How Porsche’s Daytona hiccups evoked the premiere of its Group C king
How Porsche’s Daytona hiccups evoked the premiere of its Group C king
Power unveils student-designed murals for 2023 Detroit GP
Power unveils student-designed murals for 2023 Detroit GP
Power unveils student-designed murals for 2023 Detroit GP
McLaughlin wins with “happy driver strategyâ€, Newgarden rueful
McLaughlin wins with “happy driver strategyâ€, Newgarden rueful
McLaughlin wins with “happy driver strategyâ€, Newgarden rueful
Top 50 racing drivers of 2017: 40-31
Top 50 racing drivers of 2017: 40-31
Top 50 racing drivers of 2017: 40-31
McLaughlin: Barber in IndyCar demands same commitment as Bathurst
McLaughlin: Barber in IndyCar demands same commitment as Bathurst
McLaughlin: Barber in IndyCar demands same commitment as Bathurst
Logano “pretty stoked” with second after eventful race
Logano “pretty stoked” with second after eventful race
Logano “pretty stoked” with second after eventful race
Why Penske remains ambitious for its WEC learning year
Why Penske remains ambitious for its WEC learning year
Why Penske remains ambitious for its WEC learning year
Honda has “no objections” over Alonso despite chequered F1 past
Honda has “no objections” over Alonso despite chequered F1 past
Honda has “no objections” over Alonso despite chequered F1 past
Why Honda made a U-turn over its F1 quit plans
Why Honda made a U-turn over its F1 quit plans
Why Honda made a U-turn over its F1 quit plans
How Tsuboi has finally unlocked his Super Formula potential
How Tsuboi has finally unlocked his Super Formula potential
How Tsuboi has finally unlocked his Super Formula potential
Aston Martin to join forces with Honda in F1 from 2026
Aston Martin to join forces with Honda in F1 from 2026
Aston Martin to join forces with Honda in F1 from 2026
Nigel Mansell’s greatest F1 and Indycar drives
Nigel Mansell’s greatest F1 and Indycar drives
Nigel Mansell’s greatest F1 and Indycar drives
Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021
Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021
Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021
How Marcus Ericsson finally unlocked his potential in IndyCar
How Marcus Ericsson finally unlocked his potential in IndyCar
How Marcus Ericsson finally unlocked his potential in IndyCar
Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing win
Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing win
Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing win
Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?
Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?
Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?
Why Kyle Kirkwood is America’s new IndyCar ace-in-waiting
Why Kyle Kirkwood is America’s new IndyCar ace-in-waiting
Why Kyle Kirkwood is America’s new IndyCar ace-in-waiting
2021 IndyCar title is just the start for Ganassi’s newest star
2021 IndyCar title is just the start for Ganassi’s newest star
2021 IndyCar title is just the start for Ganassi’s newest star
Why Grosjean’s oval commitment shows he’s serious about IndyCar
Why Grosjean’s oval commitment shows he’s serious about IndyCar
Why Grosjean’s oval commitment shows he’s serious about IndyCar
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker. Visit motorsport.com as usual with advertising and tracking. You can revoke your consent at any time via the data protection page.1
More information about advertising and tracking in our Data protection notice, the List of our partners and in Data protection information center.
