David Malukas, who is rumored as Team Penske replacement for Will Power, has directly responded to mounting speculation linking him with a future seat at the legendary IndyCar team. The AJ Foyt Racing driver addressed these rumors following a tumultuous career period and as contract talks for Will Power’s future remain unresolved going into 2026.
Malukas Responds to Speculation Amidst Career Changes
The 23-year-old David Malukas has faced a string of challenges, beginning with his abrupt exit from Arrow McLaren halfway through the 2024 season due to an offseason hand injury that sidelined him for multiple races. After spending the remainder of the year racing with Meyer Shank Racing, Malukas secured a contract with AJ Foyt Racing for 2025 and beyond. The move was widely seen among IndyCar insiders as a strategic step, especially since AJ Foyt Racing maintains a technical partnership with Team Penske, and could open doors for Malukas at Penske in the future.
Meanwhile, Will Power, who has claimed two championships for Team Penske, is in the final year of his contract and has yet to agree on a renewal with Roger Penske’s organization. This uncertainty has prompted widespread paddock chatter about Malukas potentially stepping in as Power’s successor.
How Malukas Has Handled the Attention
The ongoing rumors and media speculation took a noticeable toll on Malukas as he navigated a difficult year, making headlines beyond his performance on track. In an appearance on the “Off Track with Hinch and Rossi” podcast, hosted by Alexander Rossi and James Hinchcliffe, Malukas spoke candidly about the emotional strain of being at the center of these discussions.
“In the beginning of the season, a lot of that was a bit harder to get past, just with the rumors coming in. But now seeing it all come, also from last year, there’s so many different rumors jumping around. Like last year was awful and really hard with the whole hand situation, jumping teams,”
—David Malukas, AJ Foyt Racing Driver
As the season has progressed, Malukas explained he has become more accustomed to the rumor cycle, learning to separate speculation from reality and not let it affect his focus inside the car. He described how false rumors from the previous year helped him develop a thicker skin toward ongoing speculation.
“I almost feel like I’m a little bit used to it now. A lot of the rumors were wrong last year, and I fear some of them are wrong this year as well. So from my side, it’s something I’ve been able to just switch off. It doesn’t really affect me anymore. I’m just interested to read all the ideas that people come up with, and seeing how the rumors even start and form in the first place. Going into the car, it doesn’t affect me recently. It’s been pretty calm,”
—David Malukas, AJ Foyt Racing Driver
Malukas’s Performance With AJ Foyt Racing
During his first campaign with AJ Foyt Racing, Malukas impressed with his best result to date, finishing second behind Alex Palou at the iconic Indy 500. Despite this standout performance, he is still searching for another top-10 finish, coming closest with a twelfth-place effort at the Bommarito Automotive Group 500, a venue where he previously stood on the podium twice.
Team Penske Faces Decisions As Power’s Contract Lingers
As the 2026 season approaches, uncertainty clouds Will Power’s future with Team Penske. Despite being the standout among Penske drivers during a tough season for the team, contract renewal talks have yet to be finalized. Team owner Roger Penske publicly reaffirmed support for Power before the Indy 500 qualifying in May, pointing to the veteran driver as their first choice to remain with the team, yet notably not mentioning Malukas.
“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,”
—Roger Penske, Team Penske Owner
Reports indicate that negotiations between Will Power and Team Penske are ongoing. Recently, Power mentioned that his boss has been occupied with various responsibilities, suggesting that any official decision regarding the 2026 season will not be revealed until the offseason.
Insider Claims and What the Future Holds
IndyCar reporter Marshall Pruett recently stated that David Malukas already holds a contract with Penske, with Roger Penske allowing him to gather experience at AJ Foyt Racing before a potential step up. The coming months, particularly the second half of this season, could prove decisive for both drivers’ futures, as performance will likely weigh heavily on Penske’s final decision.
The situation underscores the high-stakes environment at the top tier of IndyCar racing, where drivers such as David Malukas, Will Power, and key figures like Roger Penske command significant attention. As the season moves forward, fans and insiders alike will be watching closely to see whether rumors around Team Penske’s 2026 lineup become reality or drift into the background as just another layer of IndyCar intrigue.
