Simply in the future after his 17-year tenure at Crew Penske formally got here to an finish, two-time IndyCar champion Will Energy has already introduced plans to race for Andretti World in 2026.
He’ll pilot the No. 26 Honda, changing American driver Colton Herta, who ended the 2025 season seventh within the championship standings. Herta will probably be leaving IndyCar to chase the System 1 dream, saying on Wednesday that he’ll turn out to be an official take a look at driver for the Cadillac F1 Crew.
Whereas Herta was winless in 2025, he and the No. 26 workforce received two races final yr and ended 2024 because the championship runner-up.
“First, I wish to thank Colton Herta for all the nice recollections and success he delivered to Andretti World throughout his time with the workforce,” mentioned Jill Gregory, COO of TWG Motorsports and president at Andretti World. “We’re extremely happy with him and want him one of the best in his new F1 journey.
“We couldn’t consider a greater driver than Will Energy to fill Colton’s footwear right here at Andretti and take the wheel of the No. 26 Honda. Will is a fierce competitor whose file speaks for itself. Moreover, he’s an awesome persona and we really feel he’ll be a powerful match for the workforce culturally as effectively.”
The 44-year-old Energy is likely one of the most profitable IndyCar drivers within the historical past of the game, as his 45 profession wins put him fourth on the all-time wins checklist and his 71 poles are unmatched.
Together with IndyCar titles in 2014 and 2022, he additionally received the 2018 Indianapolis 500. He now joins Andretti, which hasn’t received an IndyCar title since 2012 however stays absolutely able to successful races any given week.
Energy ended the 2025 season ninth within the remaining factors standings, and was one in every of simply six drivers not named ‘Alex Palou’ to achieve Victory Lane.
“I simply wish to say how excited I’m to be becoming a member of Andretti World,” mentioned Energy in a launch from Andretti. “I can’t thank Dan [Towriss], Jill [Gregory] and the workforce sufficient for this chance. Colton is somebody that I’ve been massively impressed with for some time. He has numerous pure capacity, and I believe he’s going to do an awesome job over in Europe. I’m excited to observe him and can work to step in and do everybody on the 26 workforce proud.
“I’m actually trying ahead to assembly all of the Andretti workforce and attending to work in 2026. They’ve some very sensible individuals, and I do know it will likely be gratifying to get to successful. I’m additionally trying ahead to driving for Honda. They’ve been a troublesome competitor, and I stay up for working with the complete HRC workforce. Additionally, I’ve great respect for Kyle [Kirkwood] and Marcus [Ericsson]. I’ve had some nice battles racing towards them, and I believe we’re going to make an awesome mixture as teammates. This can be a entire new chapter for me. I’ve to say that generally a change of surroundings and a contemporary begin may be very energizing. I can’t wait.”
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