IndyCar Series points lead Will Power has described this year’s title as “insanely competitive” and says that no driver, no matter their calibre, would be able to step into the series and instantly win.
With three races to go, the Australian driver currently holds a slender five point advantage over in Ryan Hunter-Reay in the standings.
While the fight at the front is close, there is also little separating the rest, with just 63 points between Power and fifth-placed James Hinchcliffe.
The Team Penske star says the introduction of the new chassis and engine regulations, and the ability to run closer together has raised the level of competition on both ovals and road/street courses.
“It’s insanely competitive,” the two-time series runner-up said.
“You haven’t seen anyone consistently win poles or win races. No one dominates this series. It just proves how tough it is and tight it is. You have to work on all the finer points of your driving just to be competitive.
“Anyone in any other series in the world could come here and I can guarantee you it would take them a good year to get competitive, if they are a good driver.”
This weekend’s GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma, the 13th of 15 races on the calendar, sees 15 drivers enter with a mathematical chance of the title.
It’s the most drivers in contention since 2000 when 24 drivers were still mathematically eligible to win the title with three races remaining. The 2000 championship was contested over nine races.
