By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, March 19, 2011
It has been a busy year since Will Power won the 2010 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg: He has gotten married, moved into a house in Charlotte, N.C., and turned 30. The Australian IndyCar driver took a minute this month to talk with St. Petersburg Times staff writer Greg Auman.
You won in your third race on this course. Was there a key to getting familiar with the quirks of a street course?
I think every year you gain experience. I think the first two times, I was with different teams. Second time, I was in a Penske car, in a situation where I didn't even have a full-time ride. So I was a little cautious and all that. Last year, I felt very much at home because I knew I had a full-time ride. There's a little less pressure.
How much has the last year changed your perspective? You're a driver to beat now, so the whole field is aware of you.
I'm aware that they're aware. I think it ramps everything up, makes things tougher when someone comes in and wins a bunch of races, all on the road courses. Things have changed. I do a few more (public relations) appearances. Personally, I feel a lot more comfortable. I just moved into a house (in Charlotte), just got married. … I'm working very hard, very aware this is going to be a tough season with a lot of guys to beat. I'll be working harder than ever.
You turned 30 on March 1. How does 30 feel for a driver?
Feels no different than 29. It's just another year, man.
You led the series much of last season but saw Dario Franchitti finish with the championship. What did you learn from that?
It's a lesson for me. I was already very motivated. I learned a lot last year. I guess I was inexperienced a little bit on the ovals. That's one place this year that's not going to be a weakness for me. Just putting the whole package together a little bit better. I don't have to improve much, but you constantly need to be learning, or else you'll fall behind.
What have you been able to work on in the offseason?
We're not doing any racing in the offseason. Testing is very restricted, to contain costs. I just had my first test (this month) at Barber (Motorsports Park in Alabama). That was my first time back in the car in probably six months. I've gotten a lot fitter in the offseason. Last year, after breaking my back (in a 2009 crash), I never got to the same level of fitness. I'm in the gym every morning for an hour and a half, anything from cardio to strength training, usually very high-intensity stuff. Usually in the afternoon, I'll do a ride, cycle for a couple hours or run for an hour or go do a few miles in the pool. I do that six days a week.
Did you play any sports growing up?
When I was in school, I played rugby league. Used to skateboard a bit. These cars are really physical. After a qualifying run here, you come in and you can't talk on the radio because you're so puffed. That's how physical it is. It's very cardiovascular physical, and it's mentally draining.
What do you like to do in St. Petersburg when you're here?
Every year, I go down for a swim at the beach. I love getting into the ocean. It's great. Australia definitely has the best surfing beaches, from where I've been. I grew up hanging out on the Gold Coast. We had a house there. Used to do bodysurfing. When I was a teenager, had a body board, would be up at 6 every morning. Oh, yeah, absolutely. Australia, you've got sometimes 8-foot-plus waves. I actually caught a little wave (here). They're all dumpers.
What's it like going through life with a name like Will Power?
William Stephen Power. Named after my great-grandfather, who raced motorcycles. They called him Will, too, actually. I'd never planned on being Will Power, but everybody called me Will. It's okay. I know every single journalist asks me that question.