INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Penske Racing has hired Will Power of Australia to drive full-time next year after giving the Indy Racing League driver a part-time gig last season.

Penske made the announcement on Thursday, saying it's a key element of a multiyear program with Verizon Wireless that began this year.

Power joins a Penske team that features three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves of Brazil and Ryan Briscoe of Australia.

Power drove for Penske last season while Castroneves dealt with legal issues. After Castroneves returned, Power stayed on temporarily and finished fifth at the Indianapolis 500. Penske eventually brought him back before he suffered a season-ending back injury.