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In a significant development for the IndyCar series, celebrated driver Will Power and Team Penske have officially concluded their long-standing partnership of 17 years. This separation marks the end of an era during which Power achieved considerable success, including multiple championships and numerous pole positions, cementing his status as a formidable force in the sport. The announcement, made on Tuesday, leaves the racing community speculating about Power's next career move for the 2026 season.

Will Power's journey with Team Penske, which began in the 2009 season, has been nothing short of extraordinary. The Australian racer, now 44, secured 42 of his 45 career victories while competing under the Penske banner. His impressive record includes IndyCar Series championships in 2014 and 2022, alongside a memorable triumph at the Indianapolis 500 in 2018. Notably, Power holds the distinction of having the most pole positions in IndyCar history with 71, showcasing his exceptional qualifying prowess. His consistent performance has also placed him fourth on the all-time wins list.

The 2025 season presented notable challenges for Team Penske, including a controversy surrounding an attenuator at the Indy 500 that led to the dismissal of key personnel, including Tim Cindric. The team's performance throughout the year was marked by a struggle for wins, with their first victory not arriving until the 15th round, attributed to Power himself at Portland. Despite a difficult season for the team as a whole, Power emerged as Penske's highest-ranked driver in the championship standings, finishing ninth overall, just ahead of Scott McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden.

Expressing his sentiments on the departure, Power stated, \"It's been the honor of my life to drive for Roger and the Penske organization. We have accomplished so much together, and I will always be grateful for my time with the team and my teammates who have supported me along the way. After much consideration, I felt like a change for me was the right move at this time.\" Roger Penske reciprocated these sentiments, acknowledging Power's significant contributions: \"As we sat down to talk about our future together, we felt that it was time for him to make a change beginning with next season. He has been an outstanding driver and teammate for our organization. His results speak for themselves, and we wish him the very best in the phase of his career.\" The team has yet to announce a replacement, though speculation within the paddock suggests David Malukas as a likely candidate for the No. 12 car.

The separation of Will Power and Team Penske concludes a successful and enduring partnership that left an indelible mark on IndyCar racing. Power's consistent achievements and dedication contributed significantly to the team's legacy over nearly two decades. While the immediate future of his racing career remains an open question, his profound impact on the sport and his long-standing relationship with Penske will be remembered. The racing world eagerly anticipates what lies ahead for this distinguished driver.

Marc Marquez, a six-time MotoGP world champion, has consistently pushed the boundaries of his machinery, a characteristic that often led to frequent crashes throughout his career. However, the current 2025 season marks a notable shift in this trend. Now in his second year with Ducati, and his inaugural season with the factory team based in Borgo Panigale, the Spanish rider has demonstrated enhanced stability and control.

As the 15th round of the 2025 calendar approaches in Barcelona, Marquez's crash count stands at a mere nine. This figure represents a significant improvement, being less than half of the 19 crashes he recorded by the same point last season while riding for Gresini. In the previous year, his crash frequency rivaled that of rookie Pedro Acosta. In contrast, the current season paints a different picture, with ten other riders experiencing more tumbles than Marquez. Among his fellow Ducati competitors, Alex Marquez and Franco Morbidelli have each crashed 14 times, and Fermin Aldeguer 10, all surpassing Marc Marquez's total. Only Francesco Bagnaia (6) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (3) boast fewer incidents. Furthermore, Marquez has impressively completed two consecutive race weekends without a single crash, a streak that began after an incident at Brno before the summer break, where he lost a potential pole position but still managed to win both the sprint and main races. It is highly improbable that he will approach his 2024 crash total of 19, let alone the 29 crashes he endured in 2023, a season that ultimately led to his departure from Honda.

Marquez's commanding performance this season is further underscored by his remarkable racing statistics. He has achieved ten double victories out of a possible 14 weekends, alongside eight pole positions and eleven front-row starts. These impressive figures, combined with a substantial 175-point lead over his closest competitor, his brother Alex, emphatically highlight his supremacy on the track. If he extends this lead to 185 points after the upcoming Catalan Grand Prix, Marquez could clinch his seventh MotoGP title in Misano, six races before the season concludes. Reflecting on his current form, Marquez commented in Hungary, \"The team already understands my needs, as we've spent several races together and our mutual understanding has grown significantly.\" He added, \"I felt strong from the outset and could flow seamlessly with the bike, an undeniable fact.\" An insider from his former Honda team also observed this transformation, noting, \"Those of us who worked with Marc anticipated he would become even more consistent in the latter half of the season than in the first. He tends to underestimate his own superiority. Now, he has truly internalized it, which has brought him a newfound calmness and increased reliability. When you watch him race, his significant safety margin is evident. Any lingering doubts about his ability to win with optimal machinery have undoubtedly dissipated by now.\"

Marc Marquez's journey this season exemplifies the power of adaptability and strategic optimization. His reduced crash rate, combined with outstanding race results, is a testament to his evolving mastery and unwavering dedication to excellence. This season serves as an inspiring narrative of resilience and peak performance, demonstrating that with the right synergy between rider and machine, and a refined approach to risk, even a seasoned champion can reach new heights and achieve unparalleled dominance.