Will Power is adamant he can bounce back and win the IndyCar championship, despite missing the opening round of the season in St. Petersburg following a lingering inner-ear infection.
At first it was thought Power was suffering from concussion, following a hefty incident during Friday practice around the tight and twisty confines of the St. Petersburg street course.
However after the race weekend it was clarified that Power had in fact been suffering from a lingering inner-ear infection, with the 2014 champion cleared to return to competition shortly afterwards.
After being cleared to return to the cockpit, Power completed a solo day of testing at Barber Motorsports Park, completing 77 laps and preparing him for a return to action this weekend at Phoenix.
Power currently sits 23rd and last in the championship standings after St. Petersburg, 50 points behind Juan Pablo Montoya.
However last season eventual championship winner Scott Dixon could only manage 15th and 11th during the first two races, before finally reaching victory lane at Long Beach.
Despite his uncompetitive start to the year Dixon still managed to secure his fourth championship crown, therefore giving Power hope that he can bounce back this year in similar style.
“When you look at the past and how they unfold in IndyCar and the fact you have double points races, yes, absolutely, I can win the championship,” enthused Power whilst talking to 1070 The Fan’s “Trackside” radio show.
“I think it puts us in a very, very low pressure situation where we can probably take risks on strategy.
“I’m not going to change the way I drive on the track, obviously.
“I’m not going to take big risks. I’m just going to race how I race.
"Definitely, from a strategy standpoint, it opens things up a little bit. We’re just going to put our head down and go for it.”
