David Malukas is reportedly already part of Team Penske‘s future driver lineup and contract changes, casting uncertainty over Will Power’s place beyond the current season. As Power’s contract with Team Penske nears its end, new developments point toward internal shifts that could reshape the IndyCar squad’s roster by 2026.
With Power in his contract’s final year at Team Penske, questions have mounted about whether he will be offered a renewal. The team remains tight-lipped regarding Power’s future, with no public commitment despite his ongoing success on the track this season. The 2022 IndyCar champion, Power remains one of the series’ standout drivers, recently achieving a podium at the Sonsio Grand Prix and securing six Top 10 finishes through seven events so far.
Malukas Gains Experience with AJ Foyt Racing Amidst Penske Speculation
While Power’s future is debated, David Malukas has elevated his racing skills at AJ Foyt Racing after signing a multi-year contract beginning in 2025. This partnership is underpinned by AJ Foyt Racing’s technical alliance with Team Penske, which supplies critical support to its partner. The arrangement is reminiscent of the collaboration between Red Bull and its junior team VCARB in Formula 1, where younger talent is nurtured before advancing to the main team.
Within this system, Malukas is widely seen as a driver being developed specifically for Team Penske, with AJ Foyt Racing acting as a test bed before a possible promotion. The development strategy is designed to ensure he is fully prepared when the time comes to step into a primary seat at Penske, potentially replacing an established driver like Power.
Malukas’s Contract Details Revealed by Industry Insider
In a notable revelation, IndyCar journalist Marshall Pruett disclosed that Malukas is not simply contracted to AJ Foyt Racing but already has a formal agreement with Team Penske. On his podcast, responding to speculation about the timing of Malukas ascending to a top Penske seat in place of Will Power, Pruett emphasized:
“He is signed to Penske, so we need to just accept this. When he might move into a Team Penske entry, that is the question. But this is not a question of ‘Could David be signed and brought up to the big team?’ He’s already been signed.”
Despite being in his development phase, Malukas delivered a standout performance at the 109th Indy 500, finishing second and recording his only Top 10 placement in 2025 so far. In contrast, Power remains Team Penske’s most reliable points scorer this season, despite contract uncertainties swirling.
Team Management’s Perspective on Power and Malukas
Will Power, recognized as the only driver aside from Alex Palou to have clinched an IndyCar championship in the past five years, continues to prove his value to Team Penske. His championship win in 2022, eight years after his first in 2014, keeps him high on the team‘s radar.
Amid mounting speculation during the lead-up to the Indy 500 in May, team owner Roger Penske publicly addressed Power’s contract. Penske made it clear to Bob Pockrass that Power is still a top consideration for the team’s immediate plans:
“At the moment, we feel confident that he will be back. …He’s at the top of the list as far as what we might do next year.”
Currently, Power stands fifth in the IndyCar championship, with teammates Scott McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden trailing in eighth and 12th, respectively. Notably, Malukas matches Newgarden in points despite racing with AJ Foyt Racing, sitting in 11th place with 126 points — the same as Newgarden.
The interplay between developing young drivers like Malukas and keeping top performers like Power creates a complex scenario for Team Penske’s future driver lineup and contract changes. As the current season unfolds and Power’s contract edges toward expiration, all eyes will remain on Roger Penske and his management’s next moves, which could redefine the team‘s composition and influence upcoming IndyCar seasons.
