Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Lands Mick Schumacher for 2026 IndyCar Season
By Marlee Ressa | @motorsportmarlee
INDIANAPOLIS – It has been announced today that Mick Schumacher will be manning the No. 47 for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in the 2026 IndyCar season. Schumacher will come to IndyCar as a Formula One and World Endurance Championship. With a best sixth place finish and three podiums in WEC, the 26 year old is ready for this new adventure.
“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.”
It was with Haas F1 that the Swiss-born driver made his 43 starts in the sport that his late father, seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher raced in. Having been brought up the Formula ladder and winning his campaigns in both F3 and F2 with Prema Racing in 2018 and 2020 respectively, Schumacher shared his fathers passion for open-wheel racing.
In 2024, Schumacher turned his gaze to endurance racing where he drove for Alpine. He continued this run with Alpine for the 2025 season, having officially left his role as an F1 reserve driver. Throughout his two seasons the team generated eight top ten finishes including three podiums.
Schumacher participated in the IndyCar test held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on October 13th. There he finished third in a seven-car test after fellow 2026 IndyCar rookie Denis Hauger and seasoned veteran Alexander Rossi.
“I think I speak for everyone at RLL when I say how thrilled we are to welcome Mick to the team and to INDYCAR,” said co-owner of RLL Bobby Rahal. “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.”
Cover photo by Chris Jones courtesy of Penske Entertainment.