Will Power

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Will Power

Will Power at Indianapolis during the first week of qualifications for the 2008 Indianapolis 500.


Nationality Flag of Australia Australia
2008 IRL IndyCar Series
Debut season 2008
Current team KV Racing Technology
Car No. 8
Starts 7
Wins 1
Poles
Champ Car World Series
Years active 2005-2007
Teams Team Australia
Starts 30
Wins 3
Poles 4
Best finish 4th in 2007
Previous series
2003-2004
2005
2005/2006
British F3
WSBR
A1GP
Awards
2006 Champ Car Rookie of the Year

Will Power (born March 1, 1981) is a motorsport driver from Toowoomba in Queensland, Australia, who currently competes in the IndyCar Series.

He won the 2002 Australian Drivers' Championship[1] by winning 7 times and achieving 3 pole positions.[2]

Power started his career driver a 15 year old Formula ford car in the Australian Formula ford championship. He tested a Minardi Formula One car in 2004 with fellow Australian Will Davison in Italy.

During 2005 he competed in the World Series by Renault for the Carlin Motorsport team, where he proved very competitive. During the course of the WSR championship he scored 2 race victories, with 4 trips to the podium in total and qualified his car on the front row 5 times. In addition to driving in the WSR, Power was also one of the featured drivers for the Australian team in the 2005-06 A1 Grand Prix series. Power raced in the series opener at Brands Hatch and piloted Australia to a second place finish behind Team Brazil.

In late 2005 he joined Champ Car Team Australia at the Lexmark Indy 300 event at Surfers Paradise in Australia, which also resulted in his departure from the World Series by Renault championship even though that season was still in progress and Power ultimately ended seventh in the championship.[3] In the Indy 300 Power ran strongly until being knocked off the track by team mate Alex Tagliani. After the Surfers Paradise event he signed a multi year contract to race for the team, which began immediately at the next Champ Car round in Mexico City after Tagliani's teammate Marcus Marshall was released for what was described as a "serious breach of contract".

Power drove full time for Team Australia in 2006. He performed well throughout the season with nine top ten finishes and strong qualifying results. At Mexico, the final round of the season, Power took his first podium finish in Champ Car. He won the "rookie of the year" award[4] and finished in 6th place in the championship standings.

In his home race in 2006, at Surfers Paradise in Australia, he scored his first pole position of his career in Champ Cars, in front of his home crowd. However, contact from Paul Tracy in pit lane and then an ambitious overtaking move by Sébastien Bourdais resulted in a bent left steering arm, and he fell to the back, one lap down by the time the car was repaired, eventually finishing 12th.[5]

On 8 April 2007, Power won his first Champ Car race at the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, held in the streets of Las Vegas. He qualified on pole position and led most laps, becoming the first Australian driver to win in the series. On July 8th, at the Steelback Grand Prix of Toronto, with rain pouring down and visibility near zero when he got behind other cars, Will Power decided it was time to get aggressive. The Australian drove from fourth to first in 14 laps, finally splashing past rookie Ryan Dalziel to take the lead with 23 minutes to go, and went on to an easy victory.

To get to the lead, Power also had to pass three-time Champ Car World Series champion Sebastien Bourdais and rookie Neel Jani. Thanks to a series of late caution flags, he was able to go after each of them in turn. "I was close behind Sebastien and I knew he was quite tentative in the wet and I attacked him," Power said. "I got him on a restart. Then the next restart, I got Neel and the next restart, I got Dalziel. It's just about being aggressive at the right time and not hitting anyone". "I just drove so hard here because we've just had so much bad luck in the last few races," said Power, whose first Champ Car victory came in the 2007 opener in Las Vegas. "I didn't care; I just went hard. The car was good in the wet. It was good in the dry, and we stuck it to them." Power had podium finishes at Long Beach, Mont-Tremblant and Mexico City and pole positions at Houston, Edmonton, Surfers Paradise and Mexico City to place fourth in the final point standings in 2007.

The merger of Champ Car and the IRL left his future uncertain. Unrelated to this, his Walker Racing team announced they would not be making the switch from Champ Car to IRL due to lack of sponsorship.[6]. However, Power later signed with KV Racing Technology, to drive the No. 8 Aussie Vineyards -- Team Australia car in 2008, continuing to work with Team Australia boss Craig Gore[7].

Power won the final Champ Car race at Long Beach in 2008, also giving Power his first IndyCar series win.

Contents

[edit] Motorsports Career Results

[edit] Junior Series

(Races in bold indicate pole position)

Series Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Team Final Pos Points
Australian Formula Ford Championship 2000 Robert Power Flag of Australia PHI1
UNK
Flag of Australia BAR1
UNK
Flag of Australia EAS1
UNK
Flag of Australia PHI3
UNK
Flag of Australia QUE1
UNK
Flag of Australia ORP1
UNK
Flag of Australia CAL1
UNK
Flag of Australia MAL1
UNK
Robert Power 7th 94
Flag of Australia PHI2
UNK
Flag of Australia BAR2
UNK
Flag of Australia EAS2
UNK
Flag of Australia PHI4
UNK
Flag of Australia QUE2
UNK
Flag of Australia ORP2
UNK
Flag of Australia CAL2
UNK
Flag of Australia MAL2
UNK
Australian Formula Ford Championship 2001 Power Racing Flag of Australia PHI1
2
Flag of Australia EAS1
1
Flag of Australia BAR1
2
Flag of Australia CAL1
UNK
Flag of Australia ORP1
UNK
Flag of Australia MAL1
2
Flag of Australia QUE1
4
Flag of Australia SAN1
UNK
Power Racing 2nd 210
Flag of Australia PHI2
1
Flag of Australia ECR2
1
Flag of Australia BAR2
3
Flag of Australia CAL2
UNK
Flag of Australia ORP2
UNK
Flag of Australia MAL2
1
Flag of Australia QUE2
4
Flag of Australia SAN2
Canc
Australian Drivers' Championship 2002 Ralt Australia Flag of Australia PHI1
1
Flag of Australia ECR1
2
Flag of Australia HDV1
Ret
Flag of Australia ORP1
1
Flag of Australia MAL1
1
Flag of Australia WIN1
1
Ralt Australia 1st 197
Flag of Australia PHI2
1
Flag of Australia ECR2
2
Flag of Australia ORP2
1
Flag of Australia MAL2
2
Flag of Australia WIN2
1
Australian Formula 3 Championship 2002 Cooltemp Racing Flag of Australia ORP1
1
Flag of Australia WIN1
1
UNK
2
Flag of Australia SAN1
6
Flag of Australia PHI1
2
Flag of Australia SUR1
1
Cooltemp Racing 2nd 204
Flag of Australia ORP2
1
Flag of Australia WIN2
1
UNK
2
Flag of Australia SAN2
4
Flag of Australia PHI2
3
Flag of Australia SUR2
1
British F3 2003 Diamond Racing Flag of the United Kingdom DON1
15
Flag of the United Kingdom SNE1
Ret
Flag of the United Kingdom CRO1
Flag of Scotland KNO1
Flag of the United Kingdom SIL1
Flag of the United Kingdom CAC1
5
Flag of the United Kingdom OUP1
12
Flag of the United Kingdom ROC1
5
Flag of the United Kingdom THX1
Ret
Flag of Belgium SPA1
4
Flag of the United Kingdom DON1
Ret
Flag of the United Kingdom BRH1
Ret
Fortec Motorsport 14th 40
Flag of the United Kingdom DON2
23
Flag of the United Kingdom SNE2
Ret
Flag of the United Kingdom CRO2
Flag of Scotland KNO2
Flag of the United Kingdom SIL2
Flag of the United Kingdom CAC2
12
Flag of the United Kingdom OUP2
9
Flag of the United Kingdom ROC2
15
Flag of the United Kingdom THX2
2
Flag of Belgium SPA2
12
Flag of the United Kingdom DON2
11
Flag of the United Kingdom BRH2
17
British F3 2004 Alan Docking Racing Flag of the United Kingdom DON1
Ret
Flag of the United Kingdom SIL1
2
Flag of the United Kingdom CRO1
15
Flag of Scotland KNO1
2
Flag of the United Kingdom SNE1
10
Flag of the United Kingdom SNE3
3
Flag of the United Kingdom CAC1
6
Flag of the United Kingdom DON1
Ret
Flag of the United Kingdom OUP1
12
Flag of the United Kingdom SIL1
4
Flag of the United Kingdom THX1
10
Flag of Belgium SPA1
8
Flag of the United Kingdom BRH1
Ret
Alan Docking Racing 9th 111
Flag of the United Kingdom DON2
4
Flag of the United Kingdom SIL2
Canc
Flag of the United Kingdom CRO2
Ret
Flag of Scotland KNO2
2
Flag of the United Kingdom SNE2
3
Flag of the United Kingdom CAC2
13
Flag of the United Kingdom DON2
10
Flag of the United Kingdom OUP2
Ret
Flag of the United Kingdom SIL2
6
Flag of the United Kingdom THX2
18
Flag of Belgium SPA2
9
Flag of the United Kingdom BRH2
9
WSBR 2005 Carlin Motorsport Flag of Belgium ZOL1
DNS
Flag of Monaco MON1
12
Flag of Spain VAL1
3
Flag of France BUG1
4
Flag of Spain BIL1
2
Flag of Germany OSH1
Ret
Flag of the United Kingdom DON1
13
Flag of Portugal EST1
10
Flag of Italy MNZ1
Carlin Motorsport 7th 64
Flag of Belgium ZOL2
Ret
Flag of Spain VAL2
14
Flag of France BUG2
1
Flag of Spain BIL2
1
Flag of Germany OSH2
14
Flag of the United Kingdom DON2
Ret
Flag of Portugal EST2
12
Flag of Italy MNZ2

[edit] A1GP

Series Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Team Rank Points
A1GP 2005/06 Flag of Australia
AUS
Flag of the United Kingdom
BRH1
4
Flag of Germany
LAU1
Flag of Portugal
EST1
Flag of Australia
ECR1
Flag of Malaysia
SEP1
Flag of the United Arab Emirates
DUB1
Flag of South Africa
DUR1
Flag of Indonesia
SEN1
Flag of Mexico
MON1
Flag of the United States
LAG1
Flag of the People's Republic of China
SHA1
Flag of Australia
AUS
13th 51
Flag of the United Kingdom
BRH2
2
Flag of Germany
LAU2
Flag of Portugal
EST2
Flag of Australia
ECR2
Flag of Malaysia
SEP2
Flag of the United Arab Emirates
DUB2
Flag of South Africa
DUR2
Flag of Indonesia
SEN2
Flag of Mexico
MON2
Flag of the United States
LAG2
Flag of the People's Republic of China
SHA2

[edit] American Open-Wheel

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

[edit] Champ Car

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Team Rank Points
2005 Team Australia Flag of the United States
LBH
Flag of Mexico
MTY
Flag of the United States
MIL
Flag of the United States
POR
Flag of the United States
CLE
Flag of Canada
TOR
Flag of Canada
EDM
Flag of the United States
SJO
Flag of the United States
DEN
Flag of Canada
MTL
Flag of the United States
LVG
Flag of Australia
SRF
Ret
Flag of Mexico
MXC
10
  Team Australia 22nd 17
2006 Team Australia Flag of the United States
LBH
9
Flag of the United States
HOU
7
Flag of Mexico
MTY
11
Flag of the United States
MIL
Ret
Flag of the United States
POR
18
Flag of the United States
CLE
9
Flag of Canada
TOR
7
Flag of Canada
EDM
6
Flag of the United States
SJO
6
Flag of the United States
DEN
4
Flag of Canada
MTL
5
Flag of the United States
ROA
13
Flag of Australia
SRF
12
Flag of Mexico
MXC
3
Team Australia 6th 213
2007 Team Australia Flag of the United States
LVG
1
Flag of the United States
LBH
3
Flag of the United States
HOU
11
Flag of the United States
POR
4
Flag of the United States
CLE
10
Flag of Canada
MTT
3
Flag of Canada
TOR
1
Flag of Canada
EDM
Ret
Flag of the United States
SJO
4
Flag of the United States
ROA
Ret
Flag of Belgium
ZOL
4
Flag of the Netherlands
ASN
14
Flag of Australia
SRF
Ret
Flag of Mexico
MXC
2
Team Australia 4th 262

[edit] IndyCar

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Rank Points
2008 KV Racing Flag of the United States
HMS
Ret
Flag of the United States
STP
8
Flag of Japan
MOT1
DNP
Flag of the United States
LBH1
1
Flag of the United States
KAN
Ret
Flag of the United States
INDY
13
Flag of the United States
MIL
14
Flag of the United States
TXS
13
Flag of the United States
IOW
Flag of the United States
RIR
Flag of the United States
WGL
Flag of the United States
NSH
Flag of the United States
MDO
Flag of Canada
EDM
Flag of the United States
KTY
Flag of the United States
SNM
Flag of the United States
DET
Flag of the United States
CHI
Flag of Australia
SRF2
11th* 147*
* 2008 season in progress
1 Run on same day.
2 Non-points-paying, exhibition race.
Years Teams Races Poles Wins Podiums
(Non-win)
Top 10s
(Non-podium)
Indianapolis 500
Wins
Championships
1 1 7 0 1 0 1 0 0

[edit] Overall Stats

Series Seasons Races Poles Wins Podiums
(Non-win)
Point Finishes
(Non-podium)
Teams Total Points Championships Best Finish
(Championship)
Formula Ford 2 28 0 4 5 9 1 304 0 2nd (2001)
Formula Holden 1 11 5 7 3 0 1 197 1 1st (2002)
Australian F3 1 12 unk 6 4 2 1 204 0 2nd (2002)
V8Supercar 1 2 0 0 0 2 1 82 0 45th (2002)
British F3 2 42 0 0 6 14 3 151 0 9th (2004)
WSBR 1 15 3 2 2 4 1 64 0 7th (2005)
A1GP 1 2 0 0 1 1 1 16 0 13th (2005/06)
CCWS 3 30 4 2 4 24 1 492 0 4th (2007)

Complete through 2007.

[edit] References

  1. ^ CAMS Online Manual of Motor Sport
  2. ^ The Series - The Cars Australian Formula 4000 Championship
  3. ^ 2005 Formula Renault 3.5 World Series Complete Qualifying and Race Results SpeedSport Magazine
  4. ^ 2006 Roshfrans Rookie Of The Year Standings Champ Car World Series
  5. ^ Champ Car World Series (October 22, 2006). "CHAMP CAR WORLD SERIES PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT WITH 2006 SERIES CHAMPION SEBASTIEN BOURDAIS". Press release. Retrieved on 2006-10-22.
  6. ^ Walker Racing won't be making switch from Champ Car to IndyCar Series, Associated Press, March 9, 2008
  7. ^ Power join KV Racing Technology in series, Indycar.com, March 12, 2008

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Timo Glock
Champ Car Rookie of the Year
2006
Succeeded by
Robert Doornbos
Preceded by
Rick Kelly
Winner of the Australian Drivers' Championship
2002
Succeeded by
Daniel Gaunt