Mick Schumacher Is Officially Switching to IndyCar, Will Race with Ralph Letterman Lanigan in 2026

The long-speculated move of Mick Schumacher to IndyCar was officially announced on Monday morning, when news broke of the former Haas F1 and Alpine WEC driver moving to Ralph Letterman Lanigan Racing for the 2026 season.

Schumacher, who is the son of seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher, secured a seat with the Haas F1 team in 2021. He spent two seasons there, recording a best finish of sixth in the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix. After losing his F1 seat following the 2022 season, Schumacher stayed in the paddock as a reserve driver for Mercedes.

Then, in 2024, he joined Alpine's WEC Hypercar team piloting the No. 36 A424, and recorded three overall podiums with the French team. Last week, Schumacher officially announced he was moving on from his WEC driver position, with this IndyCar seat as the most likely landing spot. Schumacher also tested with RLL at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course on October 13, where he set the third-fastest time of the session behind reigning Indy NXT champion Dennis Hauger and Ed Carpenter Racing's Ed 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," co-owner Bobby Rahal said. "His test with us on the IMS road course was—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."

In the RLL press release, Schumacher shared his excitement about racing in IndyCar and embracing the 'American way of motorsport.

"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 more about pure, direct racing, and it is precisely this aspect that I am very much looking forward to," he said. "For me, a new journey is beginning here, and I am excited for the season to start."

Schumacher will join his new teammates Graham Rahal and Louis Foster on March 1st in IndyCar's season opener on the Streets of St. Petersburg.

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