Former Method 1 driver Mick Schumacher will contest the complete 2026 IndyCar season, together with the Indianapolis 500, after agreeing a take care of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
Schumacher will drive the Honda-powered #47 Dallara DW12 in all 17 rounds subsequent season, marking a return to single-seaters after two years racing the Alpine A424 LMDh prototype within the World Endurance Championship.
The German’s take care of RLL was introduced on Monday, only a month after he accomplished his first IndyCar take a look at with the squad on the Indianapolis highway course.
RLL is planning an oval take a look at for Schumacher “within the close to future” to assist him stand up to hurry with high-speed banked circuits.
“I’m delighted to verify right this moment that I might be competing within the INDYCAR SERIES subsequent 12 months with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, collaborating within the full season,” stated the 26-year-old.
“Having each an F1 and an endurance background, and having competed in varied racing sequence over time, I’ve insights and data that I’m certain will contribute to an excellent partnership. RLL ready me extraordinarily properly throughout testing already, and I’m certain that we are able to construct lots collectively.
“I used to be additionally instantly excited in regards to the automobile and the American manner of motorsport which comes throughout as being extra about pure and direct racing, and it’s exactly this side that I’m very a lot wanting ahead to.
Mick Schumacher, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda
Photograph by: Penske Leisure
“And naturally, I’m interested by new experiences and all the time taken with broadening my horizons. For me, a brand new journey is starting right here, and I’m excited for the season to start out.”
Schumacher adopted his father, seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, into F1 in 2021 with Haas, however was dropped by the group after simply two seasons because of a scarcity of outcomes.
Throughout his brief grand prix profession, he scored 16 factors and secured a finest end of sixth on the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix.
After a 12 months spent totally on the sidelines in 2023, Schumacher switched to sportscar racing with Alpine final 12 months, becoming a member of its new LMDh programme within the WEC’s burgeoning Hypercar class.
Whereas the transfer was profitable, as he clinched three general podiums and in contrast favourably in opposition to his extra skilled team-mates, he all the time maintained that returning to single-seaters was his precedence.
As alternatives in F1 diminished, IndyCar emerged as probably the most compelling choice, at the same time as he thought of remaining within the WEC for one more season.
Schumacher’s departure from Alpine’s Hypercar squad was introduced final week.
Mick Schumacher, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda
Photograph by: Penske Leisure
At RLL, he’ll take the place of Devlin DeFrancesco, teaming up with Graham Rahal – son of group co-owner Bobby Rahal – and 2025 Rookie of the Yr Louis Foster.
“I believe I communicate for everybody at RLL after I say how thrilled we’re to welcome Mick to the group and to INDYCAR,” stated Bobby Rahal.
“His take a look at with us on the IMS highway course was distinctive – he impressed each single group member. Everybody walked away from that occasion decided to do what we may to carry Mick into our program. We’re thrilled he’s chosen to hitch us, and we are able to’t wait to get to work.”
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