Australian IndyCar champion Will Power says his driving style should suit the New Orleans circuit at this weekend’s inaugural Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana.

The 2.74 mile, 13-turn road course NOLA Motorsports Park facility was constructed in 2011 but will host an IndyCar race for the first time on Sunday (Monday AM AEST).

While each driver in the field has had minimal exposure to the circuit in pre-season testing, Power feels confident he’ll be up to speed when the action begins.

“We have typically run very well at the new venues over the last couple of years,” Power said.

“NOLA is wicked fast and what it takes to get around that place really suits my driving style.

“The grip is very tight and it should promote great racing.”

After leading most of the season-opening race in St Petersburg, Florida, Power was pipped by Penske teammate Juan Pablo Montoya to the victory.

Power has already noted that Montoya as well as fellow teammates Helio Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud will be his main barriers to defending his title.

He fully expects another close battle in this weekend’s 75-lap event.

“You have to acknowledge what an amazing job Chevrolet and all of the engineers at Team Penske have done in the off-season,” he said.

“They have a lot to be proud of with the way we performed as a team at St.Pete.

“There is no reason to think that it won’t carry over to NOLA this weekend. “It’s going to be a hard-fought race because I know everyone is going to want to be the first winner at NOLA.”