Will Power’s IndyCar season began on a disappointing note as the celebrated Australian driver crashed out during the first lap of the Grand Prix of St Petersburg on Monday (AEDT). Power collided with the rear of fellow competitor Nolan Siegel on turn three, resulting in a spin for the 20-year-old American and ending the race prematurely for young British driver Louis Foster as well.
Commentator Townsend Bell described the incident as a “devastating result” for the two-time champion Power. The chaos on the tight and tricky section of the track caught many drivers off guard, leading to a chain reaction. “This is such a treacherous part of the track… it caused an accordion effect that bunched everyone up,” Bell explained. He suggested that Siegel may have been slightly slow, but remarked that Power’s crash was not the fault of Siegel.
Taking advantage of the early chaos, Alex Palou from Spain made his move, starting his chase for a potential third consecutive championship title, finishing ahead of New Zealand’s Scott Dixon and American Josef Newgarden.
Following the incident, Siegel conveyed his frustration, noting the hard work his team had put in during the off-season. “Everyone checked up a little bit on three and then I got hit from behind, and there’s not a lot I can do. Day’s done before it started,” he lamented. His disappointment was palpable as he reflected on the team’s efforts, highlighting the bitter feeling of an exciting race weekend turning into an unfortunate early exit.
The next round of the IndyCar series promises further drama and excitement as drivers regroup from this challenging start. Fans can catch all the action of the series exclusively on Stan Sport, where it is available to stream live and ad-free.