Mick Schumacher’s first taste of IndyCar came on the challenging road course at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he took the wheel of the No. 75 Honda for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. The former Haas F1 driver completed 18 laps during a morning session marred slightly by timing and scoring issues affecting all competitors. Despite this, Schumacher posted competitive lap times, reaching near the top of the session by late morning.
Schumacher, the 26-year-old son of seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher, spent the weekend acclimating to the team and the car. He praised the physical challenge of driving the Dallara DW12 chassis, which he found lighter than expected despite lacking power steering, and shared his enjoyment of the pure driving experience IndyCar provides.
Conversations with established IndyCar drivers and his admiration for the series influenced Schumacher’s interest in exploring IndyCar as the next step in his career. While his initial aim was to return to Formula 1, with limited openings he sees IndyCar’s 17-race calendar and driver-centric team culture as an appealing alternative.
Preparation was key to his smooth transition, including hours on Honda’s driver-in-the-loop simulator and extensive technical briefings with the RLL engineering staff. Ready to embrace the series fully, Schumacher expressed openness to oval racing, although no test plans have been made yet.
The test day hinted at future possibilities for Schumacher in the series. Both he and RLL team principals are considering an official role for the 2026 season, with further discussions ongoing. As a young driver eager to race and grow, Schumacher is excited about joining a sport with deep passion and competitive spirit.
