Will Energy is sort of a rookie another time.
A two-time IndyCar Collection champion and the 2018 Indianapolis 500 winner, Energy is making his IMSA debut on this yr’s Rolex 24 At Daytona. He’s working with 75 Specific within the GTD Professional class, co-driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 with fellow Aussie’s Kenny Habul, Chaz Mostert and German Maro Engel.
“I’m studying the ropes of the motive force modifications and all of the stuff I have to do,” Energy informed Motorsport.com. “Maro helps me loads, truly.”
Maro joked that Energy is “loving the motive force modifications,” to which Energy responded, “I am getting good now. I am getting higher. I have never completed the steering wheel but, however I maintain forgetting that one. I am at the very least getting free and getting that up and over, that is the primary factor. I make sure that I unclip and put that there, to make it simpler. It is enjoyable. I am having fun with it loads. Loads of studying.”
Will Energy, Workforce Penske
Photograph by: Michael L. Levitt / Lumen through Getty Pictures
Energy, who will drive for Andretti World for the upcoming 2026 IndyCar season, does have one earlier begin in sports activities automotive racing below his belt. Final yr, he drove with 75 Specific within the Indianapolis 8-Hour, a part of the Intercontinental GT Problem.
Habul has loved watching Energy’s adaptability firsthand.
“He is very proficient,” Habul informed Motorsport.com. “He has distinctive expertise. He would not actually perceive GT racing; by no means pushed one. Indy was the primary time. It is a lot slower than what he does. It [the car] would not reply, so it is an adjustment for him.
“It has been attention-grabbing to observe him as a result of he is so proficient that even when he would not know what he is doing and he would not know the automotive, he finds a option to put in a purple sector. He has that feeling in his arms of 71 IndyCar poles (most all-time). Present me somebody who’s completed that. He simply has the sensation. So it is good to have him.”
Discovering the sting as a 44-year-old ‘rookie’
The 44-year-old Energy admitted that the training curve on discovering the restrict has been a problem.
“Sure, you perceive the sting, clearly, when it is sliding, however it’s actually understanding what makes the automotive quick,” Energy mentioned. “Do you gradual it loads within the center and get straight drive out? It’s undoubtedly a unique driving type. It is a whole lot of pitch below braking, which provides a whole lot of entrance to it, so the best way you path brake within the nook, a whole lot of issues are fairly completely different.”
Daytona’s 3.56-mile speedway highway course brings technical challenges that Energy is having fun with, with braking being “tense” going into Flip 1 and on the Bus Cease.
Contemplating the smile that received’t go away on Energy’s face, is there a plan on doing extra racing exterior of IndyCar like Rolex?
“Perhaps, yeah, however it relies upon how a lot I get pleasure from it and all that,” Energy mentioned. “It has been a whole lot of enjoyable to this point. I do not need it to remove from my IndyCar program in any respect, in order that’s the primary factor. I actually need to carry out effectively this yr with Andretti. That is the primary focus, after which I take into consideration these different issues after.”
They certified fourth at school among the many GTD Professional vehicles, lining up on the skin of Row 2 for the 24-hour endurance racing basic.
Learn Additionally:
We wish your opinion!
What would you prefer to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Workforce
