Mick Schumacher’s First IndyCar Test: A New Chapter in Racing Legacy

Mick Schumacher, the son of legendary seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher, recently took a significant step in his racing career by completing his inaugural test in the IndyCar series. This event took place on the road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a venue that holds a special place in his family’s history, as his father celebrated five victories there during his illustrious F1 career.

Mick Schumacher, now 26 years old, is striving to make a name for himself in the world of motorsport after spending two seasons with Haas in Formula 1, followed by two years competing in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) with Alpine. His recent testing endeavor was not only a personal milestone but also a mutual assessment of potential future collaboration with the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) team. This could pave the way for him to join established IndyCar driver Graham Rahal and the 2025 Indy NXT rookie, Louis Foster, in the 2026 season.

Despite RLL having a contract with Devlin DeFrancesco until 2025, the Canadian driver’s future remains uncertain due to a lackluster performance this season, where he finished ahead of only one out of 27 full-time drivers.

Impressive Debut Performance

During the morning sessions of the test, Mick Schumacher made a strong impression by briefly leading the group of seven cars on track, clocking an unofficial time of 1 minute and 11.78 seconds. However, as the day progressed, other drivers improved their times, showcasing Schumacher’s competitive spirit as he consistently maintained speed against fellow newcomers.

Reports from Nathan Brown and other American motorsport outlets revealed that Dennis Hauger, the 2025 Indy NXT champion, topped the test with a time of 1 minute and 10.768 seconds in his Dale Coyne Racing car. Following him was Alexander Rossi, who tested with Ed Carpenter Racing, only 0.090 seconds behind Hauger. Schumacher concluded the day in third place, with a time of 1 minute and 10.980 seconds, just two-tenths shy of the fastest lap, highlighting his rapid acclimatization to RLL’s machinery.

When asked about his experience and the prospect of continuing in IndyCar, Mick humorously remarked, “It depends if it’s fun. I think that’s the main thing. I’m really enjoying it. The car is fantastic, and the team has been great to work with. My first impressions are very positive. It feels quite similar to some cars I’ve driven before. I’m still getting used to the pit exit maneuvers, but so far, everything has been great.”

Schumacher also shared that his interest in IndyCar has been longstanding. “I’ve wanted to do a test for a while. Some drivers here have been part of F1 events in recent years and have often mentioned how much fun it is. So, I wanted to experience the car for myself. For now, I can only say good things,” he noted.

IndyCar: A Viable Alternative

While the ultimate dream for Mick Schumacher remains a return to Formula 1, he is open to the possibility of IndyCar as a viable pathway to continue racing in single-seaters. “I want to enjoy what I do. I love racing, and I want to find a place where I feel at home. I’m not saying that WEC or Europe isn’t that, but racing in formula cars has always been my goal — and IndyCar is the closest to that,” he expressed.

Additionally, Mick revealed that he had previously pursued a position with the Cadillac team in F1, associated with Andretti, but that opportunity did not materialize. “My aim has always been to return to F1, but that chance hasn’t opened up. At some point, I want to race single-seaters again, and that’s why this option is a great one,” he said.

Embracing Oval Racing

Unlike some former F1 drivers, Mick Schumacher does not seem to shy away from the challenges of oval racing, a defining characteristic of the American motorsport scene. “I haven’t driven on an oval yet, but it’s definitely something intriguing. You go really fast, faster than in most cars. I’d like to try it out and see how it feels. If I were to commit, I would go all in — it wouldn’t make sense to participate only in part of the championship,” he asserted.

This perspective stands in stark contrast to his father Michael’s views, who, during a 2002 interview with 60 Minutes, expressed concerns about the dangers of oval racing, referring to IndyCar drivers as “crazy” and suggesting that the risks involved did not justify the rewards. He noted, “It’s a step below Formula 1, and the Indy 500 is too dangerous. If you crash, the car doesn’t survive. There’s no reason for that. Usually, those who don’t make it in F1 move to Indy, and those coming from Indy hardly survive in F1.”

Mick’s uncle, Ralf Schumacher, echoed similar concerns regarding Mick’s decision to test in IndyCar. He stated, “I don’t quite understand this decision. He is in good hands where he is and could have a bright future. The level in America is high, and it will be tough to succeed. There’s added pressure that maybe he doesn’t need. If he were my son, I would prevent him from doing this because I think it’s too dangerous.”

However, Mick remains unfazed by these worries. “I think it would be wrong to do only part of the series. If I come, it’s to do everything, including the ovals. That’s what the championship represents,” he confidently declared.

A Promising Future Ahead

Mick Schumacher’s test with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing marks the beginning of what could be a new and exciting chapter in his racing career. Should this journey progress, it could see the Schumacher name once again linked to one of the most prestigious events in American motorsport history: the Indianapolis 500.

During the test, other notable drivers were also on track, including Dennis Hauger, who led the group of seven testing drivers at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Hauger, driving the number 18 Honda for Dale Coyne Racing, recorded the fastest unofficial time of the day at 1 minute and 10.768 seconds, ahead of fellow competitors Alexander Rossi and Mick Schumacher.

The performance data gathered during the test indicated that Hauger, Rossi, and Schumacher formed the top three fastest drivers of the day. Hauger maintained a slight edge over Rossi, while Schumacher closed the gap to just two-tenths behind the leader. Following them, Caio Collet, the Indy NXT runner-up, recorded the fourth-fastest time while completing the most laps of any driver with a total of 83.

Lochie Hughes from Andretti Global finished fifth, while Christian Rasmussen faced interruptions during his testing, completing only 31 laps. James Roe of Juncos Hollinger Racing rounded out the list of times.

The conditions during the test were favorable, with ambient temperatures around 21°C (70°F) and stable weather throughout the afternoon. Although there were some delays in the morning due to timing system issues, teams made the most of the remaining time for focused practice and adaptation.

Both Hauger and Collet were participating in their second recent tests with IndyCar machinery, while newcomers Hughes, Roe, and Schumacher are yet to have additional testing sessions scheduled for the upcoming 2025 season. Teams continue to evaluate performances and possibilities as they prepare for the next season.

As Mick Schumacher embarks on this new venture, the racing community will be watching closely to see how he adapts to the challenges of IndyCar and whether he can carve out a successful path that honors his family’s storied legacy in motorsport.