BREAKING: Mick Schumacher announced at RLL in IndyCar for 2026

Written by Morgan Holiday

Credit: Joe Skibinski

Rahal Letterman Lanigan (RLL) Racing has welcomed former Formula One driver Mick Schumacher to its IndyCar lineup for 2026.

Schumacher will compete in the full IndyCar season, including his first foray into Oval racing, in the No. 47 RLL car. He'll be racing alongside Graham Rahal and Louis Foster, taking over the seat filled last year by Devlin DeFrancesco.

Schumacher began his single-seater racing career over 10 years ago, racing in the ADAC Formula 4 Championship in 2015. He went on to make his way up the F1 Feeder Series ladder, his journey coming to a head when he won the Formula 2 title in 2020. From there, the German driver made the step up to F1 with Haas F1 Team, where he raced for two seasons.

When a career in F1 didn't pan out, Schumacher moved to endurance racing. He spent two sesaons with Alpine Endurance Team in the World Endurance Championship before announcing his departure from the category in November of 2025.

Schumacher took part in an IndyCar test with RLL in October, where he noted his interest in returning to single-seaters.

"Obviously, my target the past couple of years has been to go back to Formula One," Schumacher said after his IndyCar test. "But that option hasn’t quite opened up this year or the years previous to that. So, at some point I want to race again in single-seaters, and therefore (this) option is a good one.”

Credit: Chris Owens

Now, RLL has officially announced that Schumacher will fill one of their seats for 2026.

I am delighted to confirm today that I will be competing in the INDYCAR SERIES next year with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, taking part in the full season," Schumacher said. "Having both an F1 and an endurance background, and having competed in various racing series over the years, I have insights and knowledge that I am sure will contribute to a great partnership. RLL prepared me extremely well during testing already, and I am sure that we can build a lot together.

“I was also immediately excited about the car and the American way of motorsport which comes across as being more about pure and direct racing, and it is precisely this aspect that I am very much looking forward to. And of course, I am curious about new experiences and always interested in broadening my horizons. For me, a new journey is beginning here, and I am excited for the season to start.”

Commenting on the newest addition to their team, Team Owner Bobby Rahal said: “I think I speak for everyone at RLL when I say how thrilled we are to welcome Mick to the team and to INDYCAR. His test with us on the IMS road course was exceptional – he impressed every single team member.

"Everyone walked away from that event determined to do what we could to bring Mick into our program. We’re thrilled he’s chosen to join us, and we can’t wait to get to work.”

Schumacher will make his official IndyCar debut in the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, which will take place on March 1, 2026.