Faustino first labored as Power’s engineer in 2007 at Walker Racing, then working beneath the Group Australia banner, in Champ Automotive. The two then crossed the divide to IndyAutomotive with KV Racing in 2008, After which reunited in 2010 as Power joined Penske full-time.
Having claimed the 2014 IndyAutomotive title, Power and Faustino Desired to attfinish one other eight yrs for a second – which the Queenslander claimed at Laguna Seca by 16 factors over Penske team-mate Josef Newgarden.
Although Power scored Simply one win, Faustino says thOn the drive to maximise end outcomes from dangerous weekfinishs beneathpinned the #12 team’s triumph – and nonetheless had the performance to be surprised by Power even after a decade and a half Inside the identical camp.
Citing Power’s surge by way of The sector On the Detroit race, the place the Australian started Sixteenth and clawed his method As a lot as first On the Belle Isle circuit, Faustino defined that he was most surprised by Power’s performance To grab third On the second Indianapolis road course race after getting caught out with early-race contact and dropping down the order.
“[The Detroit cost] was pretty superior, it actually was,” Faustino informed Autosport.
“And then the second Indy road course race, the place Will accomplished lap 2 down in Seventeenth As a Outcome of of a Flip 1 incident After which getting divebombed on The subsequent lap.
“We would have appreciated To Supply you A mannequin new method, However the A method it might work was if he acquired a Tons greater gasoline quantity – lap time ratio than we’d ever anticipated. When it Includes doing that stuff, Will Continues to be very spectacular. To get a podium out of that…
“There’s A pair of races every season when he has The prospect To level out these expertise and even now, after 15 yrs with him, I nonetheless assume, ‘rattling, that’s particular.'”
Will Power, Group Penske Chevrolet celebrates worthwhile the championship Collectively with his crew
Photograph by: Phillip Abbott / Motorsport Pictures
Discussing Power’s title triumph, Faustino defined that his driver’s change of strategy was a key Think about his title win, with many noting his calmer mindset.
Much of that hinged on Power’s acceptance that aiming for fixed prime-5 finishes Can be extra useful than to hazard All of it for wins, and drawing “satisfaction” from these end outcomes.
“We’ve acknowledged for A the placeas, Everytime You are taking A look at how championships are gained, Do You’d like to’ll Have The power to common a finish of fifth or greater Then you undoubtedly’re going to have A pretty good shot at worthwhile,” Faustino defined.
“I really feel everyone tries to have that consistency and common a prime 5. And that i wouldn’t say that we modified that in 2022, I really feel we’ve On A daily basis tried for that consistency.
“However maybe what has modified is Will’s angle, his satisfaction with a Outcome That is in that realm.
“It’s straightforward to say, ‘Oh, we just Have to get on The podium or get a prime 5’, but Ought to you finish a race fourth or third Everytime you started from pole, are You actually Proud of it? Are you able to progress on from that with a constructive mindset?
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“He might, and I really feel that was actually The huge distinction with Will this yr, and …….
