The 2026 IndyCar Driver Market: Key Updates and Insights

As we approach the 2026 IndyCar season, the driver market is beginning to take shape, with notable names emerging as potential candidates for the remaining seats. With Rinus VeeKay recently confirmed at Juncos Hollinger Racing, the landscape is shifting as teams look to finalize their rosters. As October draws to a close, projections indicate a grid of 25 to 27 cars, leaving only a few spots available before teams lock in their lineups for the upcoming season.

AJ Foyt Racing: A Nearing Completion

AJ Foyt Racing appears to be closing in on its driver lineup for the upcoming season. Santino Ferrucci has secured his position for a fourth consecutive season in the No. 14 Chevrolet. Meanwhile, Brazilian driver Caio Collet has been "announced" as the new pilot for the No. 4 car by his sponsor, Marcelo Camargo, who leads the Combitrans brand and will support Collet’s program in 2026.

Despite this announcement, Collet emphasized in a video that the deal is not yet official, indicating that negotiations are still ongoing. AJ Foyt Racing has yet to make an official confirmation of the driver pair, but an announcement is expected shortly. If all goes as planned, Collet would become the first Brazilian to compete full-time in IndyCar since 2022, when Hélio Castroneves completed his last full season with Meyer Shank Racing.

Collet arrives at Foyt Racing following an impressive run in Indy NXT, where he finished as the series runner-up driving for HMD Motorsports, trailing only Dennis Hauger, the champion from Andretti Global. Although Collet’s performance did not fully meet initial expectations, Andretti’s dominance—winning nine of the 14 races with Hauger and Lochie Hughes—has set a high bar.

During two recent testing sessions with Foyt, Collet demonstrated competitive pace and quick adaptability, reinforcing his status as a strong candidate for the Rookie of the Year award in 2026. An insider from Foyt shared, "Caio is a natural talent who arrives well-prepared. He was quick during testing and showed a lot of maturity. We’re excited about what he can bring to the team."

Dale Coyne Racing: Shaping Up for 2026

Dale Coyne Racing is also beginning to solidify its plans for the future. Dennis Hauger, the Indy NXT champion, has officially been confirmed as a full-time driver for the team. This agreement is part of a collaboration with Andretti Global, which will lend Hauger for his debut season in the top tier of IndyCar.

The focus now shifts to filling the second seat. During a recent test at the Indianapolis road course, Hauger led the session, and Coyne indicated that a decision regarding the second driver would be made "in the next week or so."

Todd Ault, the owner of AskROI and a sponsor of the team, has openly expressed his admiration for Romain Grosjean, who currently finds himself without a contract in IndyCar or endurance racing for the first time in years. Therefore, a reunion between Grosjean and Coyne would not be unexpected. Other names being discussed include Linus Lundqvist and Conor Daly, both of whom are available on the market, as well as Jacob Abel, who may return after a challenging rookie season.

The question arises: "Is Grosjean’s return on the cards?" as noted by journalist Pruett, reflecting Coyne’s interest in potentially bringing the Frenchman back to the team.

PREMA Racing: The Big Question Mark

PREMA Racing remains one of the biggest uncertainties on the grid. While no official announcements have been made, sources suggest that the team continues to operate normally and that Chevrolet has engines reserved for a full-season program in 2026.

The lack of announcements since the end of the season on August 31 has led to speculation about the team’s future. However, the fact that their staff is still actively working is an encouraging sign.

The Italian team has contracts with Callum Ilott and Robert Shwartzman, and there is hope within the organization that both drivers will remain if the program is confirmed. Pruett has also addressed a rumor circulating online, stating, "To clarify, Michael Andretti is not trying to buy PREMA. An aggregator site made a mistake by taking a part of my podcast and claiming I said that. I did not say that, and he isn’t either."

According to Pruett, Andretti directly messaged him to clarify, "I have zero interest in PREMA or any other team." The aggregator site later retracted its statement and removed the post.

The potential return of PREMA is significant as it directly influences the number of Chevrolet entries for the Indianapolis 500. If PREMA confirms its presence, the grid is expected to maintain the same 27 entries as in 2025. Conversely, if they do not return, the series could drop to 25 full-time entries, freeing up additional engines for one-off programs in May.

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: Exploring New Avenues

Recent testing conducted by Mick Schumacher with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) has generated considerable buzz. According to Pruett, this was not merely a promotional event; Schumacher showed genuine interest in trying out an IndyCar, and his management reached out to all teams with available seats. RLL was the only team that accepted his proposal.

The son of seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher made a strong impression on the team during the four-day testing period, and there is mutual interest in further exploring a partnership. While there is no finalized agreement for Schumacher to race alongside Graham Rahal and Louis Foster, the possibility remains on the table. The next step would involve conducting an oval test, which is crucial for assessing his interest in making a full transition to the series.

In addition to this, RLL is looking to enhance the performance of its third car by moving away from the "paid seat" model that has contributed to its lack of competitiveness. Outside of Lundqvist and Daly, there are few experienced drivers available in the market with a comprehensive background across various track types. Reserve drivers Jüri Vips and Toby Sowery are quick but still lack the level of experience needed.

Schumacher, while still considered somewhat of a gamble, has a strong resume, including winning the Formula 2 title in 2020 and two seasons in F1, providing sufficient grounds for the team’s interest.

As the driver market evolves, the puzzle pieces are starting to fit together: AJ Foyt Racing has confirmed its duo with Ferrucci and Collet, Dale Coyne is poised to announce its second driver soon, and Rahal Letterman Lanigan could very well be the last team to finalize its lineup for 2026.

The dynamics of the 2026 IndyCar driver market are shaping up to be quite intriguing, with various teams making strategic moves and drivers vying for coveted spots. As the season approaches, anticipation builds around who will ultimately secure the remaining positions and how these decisions will impact the competitive landscape of IndyCar racing in the upcoming year.