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Schumacher to test IndyCar with RLL on IMS road course

Two famous motor racing families will converge at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course on October 13 as Mick Schumacher joins Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing to conduct his first IndyCar Series test.

RACER understands there are no commitments beyond the test, but both sides are hopeful the outing will lead to a bigger opportunity in 2026.

The ex-Formula 1 driver and son of seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher will sample one of RLL’s Honda-powered Dallara DW12s with the team founded by three-time IndyCar champion and 1986 Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal, whose son Graham Rahal leads the three-car operation in the No. 15 Honda alongside new IndyCar Rookie of the Year Louis Foster in the No. 45 Honda. Devlin DeFrancesco drove the No. 30 Honda this season.

“I am very much looking forward to driving my first IndyCar test,” Schumacher said. “A big thank you to the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team for giving me this opportunity. The same goes for driving this car at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time, a race track with a big history and that my dad has driven on before. I am excited to see which special features it holds.”

The test was arranged by new RLL president Jay Frye, who joined the team in April, and RLL alumni Dirk Muller, who competed for the team in the American Le Mans Series and delivered the 2011 ALMS GT2 title for RLL and BMW with co-driver Joey Hand.

“This is an amazing opportunity for RLL to test an elite talent like Mick and bring two legendary motorsports families together,” Frye said.

The 26-year-old Schumacher made 43 starts in F1 with the Haas team from 2021-’22 before taking a reserve role with Mercedes while trying to find his way back to the grand prix grid. In 2024, the Swiss-born German joined the factory Alpine FIA WEC Hypercar program, where he competes today.

“I am very curious to understand the special features and characteristics of this race car, which is different from the cars I am used to driving, yet similar, and I remain very interested in gaining experience in the diverse world of motorsport,” Schumacher said.

“Great to be able to see what it is all about and how difficult it is, since I hear a lot about how tough it is physically. It is not a secret that I am big fan of single-seater racing after all, so this first IndyCar test will be an experience to treasure, and I am very much looking forward to driving a car where I can see my wheels.”

Muller and Schumacher paid a visit to IMS in May during the Indy 500 to make introductions, and with his ongoing desire to continue in open-wheel racing, a shift to IndyCar could be on the horizon if the test is a success.

“I have followed Mick’s career from afar as well as that of his father so the thought of seeing him in one of our race cars is very exciting,” said Bobby Rahal, whose team produced its most competitive outing of 2025 on the IMS road course.

“I think it’s going to be a great day for RLL and also for Mick, as he gets his first experience in an IndyCar. Obviously, he’s got a great deal of talent and knowing that we’ve had pretty good setups for the IMS road course, it should give him a good baseline to start from.”