IndyCar 2026 Preview: Key Insights and Challenges
As the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series approaches, the overwhelming prominence of Alex Palou and Chip Ganassi Racing in 2025 raises critical questions for rival teams. Veteran driver manager Oriol Servia outlines strategies for these competitors to close the gap in a recent discussion with RACER’s Laurence Foster and David Malsher-Lopez.
Servia emphasized the need for a collective effort to understand Ganassi’s dominance, stating, “It was such a dominant performance from the No. 10 Ganassi/Alex Palou group.” He noted that even established drivers like Scott Dixon are likely questioning the team’s success. “Alex needs to maintain his work ethic and expectations to replicate last year’s success,” said Servia.
Highlighting Ganassi’s cohesive crew, he reiterated that while their past performances have been strong, 2025’s results were exceptional. “Everything came together perfectly, and Alex made the right choices at crucial moments. They will be the team to beat in 2026.”
Servia acknowledged the shifting dynamics within other teams, particularly at Penske, where David Malukas replaces Will Power, now at Andretti. “It will be challenging to assess Malukas’s performance directly due to engineering changes,” he pointed out. Notably, Dave Faustino’s transition deeper into engineering and Ben Bretzman’s reassignment add layers of complexity to the team’s strategy.
Malukas has proven he can deliver competitive results on race weekends, yet the pressure to match Palou’s consistency remains. Servia remarked, “Even veterans make mistakes in pursuit of excellence.”
Will Power’s move to Andretti, replacing Colton Herta, also garnered Servia’s attention. “Power’s relentless pursuit of improvement defines him,” he explained. Despite his extensive experience at Penske, he will face challenges with limited pre-season testing. “The competition is fierce, and adapting to a new team will be difficult with only two test days available,” he noted.
Penske’s recent race wins do not match the standard set by Palou’s championship-caliber season, intensifying the pressure to elevate team performance. Servia stated, “They need to listen closely to Will’s insights, leveraging two decades of knowledge.”
The upcoming season promises intense competition, dynamic team changes, and ongoing pressure to dethrone Ganassi Racing. For further insights, Servia’s full video interview offers a comprehensive analysis of the challenges ahead.
