It’s been one month and twelve days since Mick Schumacher tested for the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) IndyCar team at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the first step toward what would be bigger and better things for his dreams as a single-seater racer.
On November 24th, 2025, RLL announced that Schumacher would be a full-time driver for the 2026 IndyCar season, operating the No. 47 Honda.
The 26-year-old spoke to Pit Debrief and other media abouts what it means to move forward and begin anew in a competitive and exciting series like IndyCar.
A team that felt like home
Schumacher shares that his father, Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher, built a deep bond with all his team members—a quality he treasures and embodies. In response to a question from Pit Debrief, he recalls RLL as an environment filled with unity and trust, values that defined his father’s approach throughout his Formula 1 career.
“I believe that it’s only possible to reach the top of the podium together, and that’s precisely the culture that I saw very, very strongly when I did the test there. It’s also one of the main reasons why I decided to drive here in IndyCar. And so, of course, we want to maintain this approach and make the most of the situations that we’ll encounter next year.And make sure that we can enjoy the good moments together.”
Addressing the safety of oval tracks
A common discourse in the world of Formula 1 is the safety of oval tracks — a key part of what makes IndyCar’s racing all the more exciting. Schumacher, who’s also participated in F1 with Haas, reminded everyone that motorsports are “dangerous” in their entirety, no matter what form or track.
“Motorsport as a whole is dangerous. I don’t see why one thing should be more dangerous than anything else.”
Oval tracks are comparatively risky, especially during events like the Indy 500, where there are over 30 cars on the grid; however, the German driver restated that he’s well aware of the risks. He credits conversations with the team’s IndyCar leadership, especially Jay Frye, for helping him understand how safety has evolved.
“We had multiple conversations and they were positive. I don’t take it lightly. The speeds are crazy, the racing is side-by-side, but I accept the risk for the enjoyment of the racing.”
An easy decision
After his tenure as a World Endurance Championship (WEC) driver, Schumacher was clear on one thing: he wanted to return to single-seater racing full-time. Following his test at IMS, he considered all the available paths to move forward, but settled on IndyCar as his best option to return to his roots.
“I was interested in exploring that route again and being more settled in it. IndyCar was the best option.”
Before making an informed decision, he spoke with people who had both positive and negative experiences in the series, then made what he calls an “average” from the advice.
But one thing was non-negotiable:
“It was important not to do a half thing. If I’m doing it, I’m doing it 100 per cent and ovals are part of that.”
Defining success for 2026
Starting over is never easy, especially in a new series — with this in mind, the RLL driver refuses to set rigid goals for 2026 without getting the lay of the land.
“Everything is new — I have a lot to learn. Success will be the feeling that we’ve put everything in place. We’ll match expectations to what we can achieve.”
He points to the advantage of having both a highly experienced teammate in Graham Rahal and one fresh from his rookie season Louis Foster.
The real and direct kind of racing
One of the biggest factors pulling Schumacher toward IndyCar after signing for RLL was the style of racing itself — raw, physical, and close; he even drew similarities from his days as a WEC driver.
“It reminds me of karting days. Similar to WEC. There’s side-by-side racing, maybe a little touch here and there. The cars are robust.”
What he wanted most was to be in his own car again, fighting directly without layers of intricacy.
“I wanted to feel that again. I’m excited for the great racing and the fun it will bring.”
Defined by purpose
Mick Schumacher will debut on the 2026 IndyCar grid alongside seasoned driver Graham Rahal and 2025 rookie of the year Louis Foster. With a long-term plan in mind and a fresh environment to grow in, IndyCar marks the start of a new identity and a new chapter.
