--- title: "Mick Schumacher Pivots to IndyCar for 2026" date: "2025-11-24" modified: "2025-11-24" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/mick-schumacher-pivots-to-indycar-for-2026" categories: - "News" - "Racing" --- # Mick Schumacher Pivots to IndyCar for 2026 ![]() *\Joe Skibinski\* Despite what some may say about [Mick Schumacher]()'s clout, there's no debating that [IndyCar]()'s profile is being raised a notch today after Rahal Letterman Lanigan confirmed the young Swiss's signing for the 2026 racing season. The proof is that I very likely wouldn't be writing the news about RLL's third driver, but when their last name represents racing royalty, it carries some weight. Plus, Mick is a lovely chap, and I applaud him and the team's incessant hustle to take the fight to Ganassi, [Penske](), and McLaren. The 26-year-old saw limited success during his short stint in Formula 1, scoring points and a best finish of sixth, then bounced around as a test and reserve driver for various other F1 teams before joining the WEC. There, he also found some success, scoring podiums at Fuji, Imola, and Spa with Alpine. For what it's worth, I believe Schumacher could've shown more potential in [F1 in a better car and with a less toxic environment than Haas']() at the time. “I am delighted to confirm today that I will be competing in the IndyCar 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. ![]() **Joe Skibinski** “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.” Schumacher, who [tested with RLL back in October](), is also making waves for another reason today: he'll be officially joining the [Honda family](). Honda dominated in 2025, including the 500, so that will surely live in the back of Schumacher's head as he gets started in the series. He will drive the Honda-powered No. 47 car, alongside IndyCar vet Graham Rahal and British racer Louis Foster. The team did not confirm the future of its other driver, Devlin DeFrancesco, but his departure is expected to be announced imminently. Many question whether Schumacher is a "solid get" given his lack of accolades, but my perspective is that, as with most second-generation drivers, most people expected him to score wins and break records from the get-go. And as we've seen too many times, the offspring of a superstar may not be poised for the same level of success—and that's okay. Schumacher brings eyeballs to a series that is in a renaissance of sorts, especially on the world stage. A bad driver he is not; far from it. His notoriety, his skill, and the sponsors he will undoubtedly bring to the team can only be seen as a positive for the series. *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()