The Pit Window by Mike Silver

Setting the Pace: IMS Museum Brings Out Pace Cars of the Past

December 11, 2025 thepitwindow

Old Indianapolis 500 pace cars are fun to see. Most vintage car shows will have a replica of at least one from a random year. The IMS Museum currently has eight pace cars on display in an exhibit called Setting the Pace.

It is not a profound exhibit, nor does it break new ground. It was fun to recall the races the cars on the floor led to the green flag. At the same time, the memories were bittersweet when I thought of how all three major car companies i9n the United States would rotate each year to provide the official pace car.

I don’t see a return to that practice anytime soon, given Chevrolet’ ties to Roger Penske and the company’s involvement in the IndyCar series.

The cars in the display:

2025 Corvette

1996 Dodge Viper

1977 Oldsmobile

1967 Mercury

1991 Dodge Viper

1915 Packard (cover photo)

1971 Dodge Charger

1997 Monte Carlo (Brickyard 400)

The 1967 pace car was driven by 1957 winner Sam Hanks. Carl Fisher drover the Packard.

The 1996 Dodge Viper is my favorite of this group. My favorite pace car of all time is the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, followed closely by the 1961 gold Ford Thunderbird.

The Museum at Eight Months

Monday was my first visit to the museum since May, and there were some minor changes. The Starting Line Experience is the same, and still a thrilling thing to witness.

From Tuesday: https://thepitwindow.blog/2025/12/09/now-stay-tuned-ims-museum-honors-broadcasters/

The cars in the Winners’ Gallery have been rearranged, and I think some cars moved downstairs and others up to the main floor. As I said after my initial visit, it is a minor quibble as to which car belongs where in which gallery. There are only three sacred cars which must stay in the main section at all times- the Boyle Maserati, the Fuel Injection special, and the Rislone Special.

The Maserati has assumed a rightful spot alone at the entry to the main gallery. This is the greatest car in Indianapolis 500 history, with top five performances, including two victories, from 1939 through the end of the 1940s.

While I never saw the Fuel Injection Special race, the car driven by Bill Vukovich won the first race I listened to on the radio in 1953, and won again the following year.

It is a shame that this car cannot take a lap on race morning.

One other car of note is the Miller Special of 1928. The Miller cars of the lat 1920s and early 1930s were some of the most beautiful cars ever to run at 16th and Georgetown. Louis Meyer drove this gorgeous machine to victory for his first of three 500 wins.

Thanks for following along on my two part museum excursion. There is some IndyCar news to talk about, which I will get to in a day or two,

INDYCAR Announces Framework for Independent Officiating Ahead of 2026 Seasons

December 11, 2025 thepitwindow

From IndyCar:

Independent Officiating Board Members Selected Responsible for Hiring Managing Director of Officiating

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025) – INDYCAR will have an independent officiating system in place for the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone seasons. A new independent, not-for-profit organization – INDYCAR Officiating Inc. – has been established and will be governed by a three-person Independent Officiating Board (IOB).
This board will select a Managing Director of Officiating (MDO) and establish its annual budget. The board members were independently selected this week, with two members chosen via a vote from INDYCAR team owners, who are charter members, and the other member appointed by the Federation Internationale de I’Automobile (FIA).
The managing director will report directly to the independent board with no oversight from INDYCAR or Penske Entertainment officials. This individual will be charged with full officiating oversight – including the hiring of personnel for race control and INDYCAR technical inspection – and responsible for enforcing the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT rulebooks as written by INDYCAR.
The two IOB members selected via a vote from chartered team owners are:
Ray Evernham – Longtime motorsports veteran who, most notably, served as the crew chief for three of Jeff Gordon’s NASCAR Cup Series championships. Evernham also pioneered Dodge’s return to NASCAR as owner of Evernham Motorsports before later becoming a television analyst, producer and consultant.
Raj Nair – A 30-year veteran of the automotive and auto racing industries, Nair has vast experience and technical compliance expertise as an executive at Singer Group, Inc., Multimatic, Inc. and the Ford Motor Company, where he also served as the North American president from 2017-18. As the chief technical officer and executive vice president of Ford’s global product development (2012-17), Nair was responsible for all Ford Motorsports programs, including in NASCAR, IMSA and FIA WEC.
The third member of the IOB appointed by the FIA is:
Ronan Morgan – Brings over 50 years of global motorsport experience as a senior official, promoter, organizer and competitor. With the FIA, Morgan served as the chairman of stewards for more than 100 international race and rally events, was sporting manager of the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix from 2009 to 2021 and is president of the FIA Drivers Commission. Morgan is also a member of the FIA World Motor Sport Council and advisor to the FIA President.
The FIA’s role in INDYCAR’s independent officiating system will be limited to the appointment of its board member.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:
“We have remained committed to independent officiating for 2026, and we are pleased to announce this next step. The INDYCAR team owners and the FIA have selected a world-class board with high character, incredible knowledge and an intense passion for motorsports and INDYCAR racing.” – J. Douglas Boles, INDYCAR President
“This was a thorough process, and I am confident in the independent officiating board that has been elected by the team ownership in our sport. I look forward to their guidance as they take the next step of hiring a managing director.” – Chip Ganassi, Chip Ganassi Racing Owner
“We are excited to launch this new structure of INDYCAR officiating and know the officiating board will approach this charge with diligence and a sense of shared responsibility. They will work independently to hire the right person to carry this mission forward and provide successful implementation for the 2026 seasons.” – Mark Miles, Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO
“INDYCAR is an American icon and I am proud of the relationship we are building together. The FIA’s independent expertise in delivering consistent officiating oversight across our World Championships, combined with INDYCAR’s innovation and competitive spirit, will support the continued growth of the series. I look forward to the work ahead of us.” – Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President
“I am pleased with the direction INDYCAR is taking with independent officiating. The team owners have selected two excellent board members and the addition of a FIA appointee will add another layer of experience and expertise.” – Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports
The hiring of the managing director of officiating, along with additional details, will be announced in early 2026.The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT championships begin Sunday, March 1, 2026 on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. Coverage of the 17-race seasons will be provided by FOX, FOX Sports and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

USAC Midget, Sprint Car Dates Announced

December 10, 2025 thepitwindow

From IMS. I’m glad the sprint cars are returning. Great show last year.

Action Returns to The Dirt Track at IMS in 2026

INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025) – The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will host two events in 2026. One of the most prestigious events in dirt racing – the BC39 Presented by Avanti Windows & Doors – returns for its eighth running on June 30-July 1. Later that month, the United States Auto Club (USAC) AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship will compete in a points race for the second time at IMS when the opening night of USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented by K&N takes place July 23.
“USAC Midget and Sprint Cars always deliver edge-of-your-seat excitement and wheel-to-wheel action on The Dirt Track at IMS,” INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “These two events are unforgettable experiences for fans and competitors alike.”
The USAC Midgets will once again take center stage as drivers race for victory on the 1/5th-mile dirt oval inside Turn 3 of IMS during the BC39 Presented by Avanti Windows & Doors.
Action among the top Midget racers in the country will open Tuesday, June 30, with the 39-lap feature race set for Wednesday night, July 1. The event honors the memory of Bryan Clauson, a three-time Indianapolis 500 starter and four-time USAC national driving champion.
Cannon McIntosh became the first two-time winner of the BC39 Presented by Avanti Windows & Doors when he repeated as the winner of the 39-lap feature in 2025. He joined a list of BC39 winners that includes NASCAR Cup Series champion and Brickyard 400 presented by PPG winner Kyle Larson and short-track stars Justin Grant, Buddy Kofoid, Zeb Wise and Brady Bacon.
The USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship again will be featured during the 39th annual Indiana Sprint Week opener Thursday evening, July 23, before Brickyard Weekend opens on the 2.5-mile IMS oval for the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
The event promises a unique spectacle, as the 900-horsepower USAC Sprint Cars take to the dirt track inside Turn 3 of the famous IMS oval.
Grant, who won the BC39 in 2023, captured the opening race of USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented by Honest Abe Roofing in 2025.
USAC Sprint Cars made their debut at The Dirt Track at IMS in September 2024 in a special invitational event won by C.J. Leary of Greenfield, Indiana.
USAC’s Indiana Sprint Week, a cornerstone of sprint car racing in the Hoosier State since 1988, has captivated fans for decades with its thrilling action and rich legacy.
The 2026 Indiana Sprint Week schedule consists of eight events at eight different racetracks across a 10-night span between July 23-Aug. 1.
Fans can register at IMS.com to receive ticket information for the 2026 BC39 presented by Avanti Windows & Doors and the 2026 USAC Indiana Sprint Week event.

“Now Stay Tuned”- IMS Museum Honors Broadcasters

December 9, 2025 thepitwindow

As a kid growing up in Indiana, May 30 meant turning on the radio and listening to the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. I was unaware at the time that the 1953 race, the first one that I listened to, was the first flag to flag coverage from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway network.

“Now Stay Tuned” presents the story of broadcasting the race is on display in the exhibit gallery at the IMS Museum. I found the display fascinating. I learned much about the pre-IMS network days, which date back to 1922, the first year that there was radio coverage of the event. Local station WOH carried the race, and in 1923, station WLK added coverage.

In 1929 WFBM radio in Indianapolis covered the entire race. the entire race. Sportscaster Graham McNamee was the lead announcer from 1928-1931.

Oddly there was no radio coverage in 1932, as the speedway felt the radio station weren’t contributing their fair share of compensation. There was a national conflict between radio stations and newspapers at the time, and the newspapers who covered the race probably complained as well.

From 1934 to 1950 the mutual Broadcasting network went live for the start of the race, then throughout the afternoon had periodic updates before returning to cover the finish. A track reporter was stationed in turns 1 and 2, and another reported was in turns 3 and 4. Bill Slater anchored the broadcasts. In 1951 Mutual dropped out when their sponsor decided to spend their dollars elsewhere.

Local station WIBC took over the broadcasts. Sid Collins, who had been a turn reporter for Mutual in 1948 and co-anchored the race in 1950, became the lead announcer. The format for1951 and 1952 was the same as the mutual program, but in 1953 the full race coverage that we know today began.

Sid Collins deserves a permanent spot in the museum.

Collins was the lead announcer through the 1976 race. He died in early May of 1977. Paul Page assumed the anchor role.

Radio board used in the early days of IMS Radio Network

One of my favorite parts of the exhibit was the old-fashioned radio, similar to the one on which I heard that first broadcast. It is one of two interactive components in the display.

The set has three buttons. The first button plays “The 500 Song.”

Button number two presents Sid Collins’ sign off of the 1976 race, his final one. As he closed the broadcast of each 500, Collins had an inspirational quote, which he applied to the race winner, then he bade his audience farewell with the promise to meet again the following May. This recording gave me goosebumps.

The third button takes the listener to the next May where turn 3 reporter Jim Shelton gives a touching tribute to Collins, asking for a moment of silence. More goosebumps were detected.

The other interactive section is a broadcast booth where visitors can call a segment of one of four races of their choosing. The call is recorded and can be played back. I chose the finish to the 2011 race. Don’t look for it on Sports Center.

While radio makes up the bulk of the exhibit, television also has a decent share of the area. The first broadcast was in 1949 as WFBM (now WRTV channel 6) launched the first television station in Indianapolis. The 500 was their first program. Coverage had three cameras on the front stretch.

I have heard stories about track president Wilbur Shaw not wanting television at all, and that he had cameras moved from other areas. After the television coverage of the rain shortened 1950 race, Tony Hulman decided no more TV, The ban lasted 20 years until ABC began showing a two hour tape delayed showing in prime time in 1971.

From 1964-1970, the race was shown on closed circuit television in theaters around the country. Charlie Brockman anchored the closed circuit telecasts.

ABC began its live broadcasts in 1986, but they had to wait a week to present the twice rained out event.

The exhibit is a great trip down memory Lane for anyone who began following the race in the 50s, and it is very educational for younger fans. I will have more photos from the exhibit on The Pit Window Facebook page in a day or two.

IMS To Release Miniseries Documenting Historic Repave

December 4, 2025 thepitwindow

From IMS:

‘Behind the Bricks’ Special To Air Dec. 8-11

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025) – Indianapolis Motor Speedway captivated the racing world on social media Sept. 23 with a series of viral posts highlighting a historic repave project that uncovered the Speedway’s iconic brick racing surface and the original crushed stone-and-tar track surface.
Now, IMS is releasing a four-part miniseries documenting the project as part of its flagship “Behind the Bricks” program beginning Monday, Dec. 8. A new episode will be released daily through Thursday, Dec. 11. A full-length documentary with additional interviews and footage will be released Friday, Dec. 12. Each episode can be seen on IMS social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, X and YouTube.
Fittingly, the release coincides with the time when the original brick paving project was completed in 1909.
A trailer teasing the upcoming series was released today on IMS social media channels.
The series features stunning footage not just of the repave project but the uncovering of the brick racing surface and the jaw-dropping discovery of the crushed stone-and-tar surface that takes fans back to the beginning of the Racing Capital of the World in 1909. It includes interviews with project experts and former IMS Historian Donald Davidson.
“It’s not often that we get to really see the full history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in front of our eyes,” Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said. “What started as a project to fix a bump in Turn 2 turned into a historic, and at times, overwhelming exploration that uncovered aspects of his racetrack that have not seen the light of day, literally, in over 116 years. I can’t wait for our fans to see it all unfold on ‘Behind the Bricks.’”
IMS was originally paved in spring 1909 with a surface consisting of crushed stone and tar. Track conditions proved to be treacherous that summer, and in fall 1909 the surface was paved with 3.2 million bricks, giving it the nickname “The Brickyard.” The paving project was completed in early December, and the track surface was dedicated by future United States Vice President, then-Indiana Gov. Thomas Marshall on Dec. 17.
One of the endearing traits of IMS has been the brick surface tucked underneath the modern-day asphalt racing surface. In 1937, all four turns of the 2.5-mile oval were paved before that year’s Indianapolis 500, officially covering the bricks that were uncovered in 2025. Additional track paving projects took place in 1938, 1939, 1961, 1976, 1988, 1995 and 2004, placing the brick surface approximately 7 inches below the current racing surface.
However, the freeze and thaw of Indiana winters allowed the bricks below the surface to move and expand, presenting as bumps in the current racing surface at the exit of Turn 2. IMS grinded the bumps to keep the track surface smooth for years, but a lasting solution was needed. So, in September, IMS milled the racing surface and removed bricks in the areas that were creating the problem. IMS will keep the excavated bricks for preservation.
A block of crushed stone and tar removed during the process is on display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.
As “Behind the Bricks” documents, a new layer of asphalt was placed in the 100-foot section of racing surface that spans the width of the track and was diamond-grinded to match the existing track surface texture. Defending Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge winner Alex Palou and two-time race winner Takuma Sato tested the repaved surface Oct. 21. Both drivers gave the new surface positive reviews.
“It’s a little bit smoother, which I think is going to be a huge gain for the race, especially when we’re following cars,” said Palou, the four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion. “It’s great. I cannot wait to go racing.”
Tickets for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and all Month of May events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway are on sale now at IMS.com.

Good Ranchers Named Title Sponsor of NTT INDYCAR SERIES Race at Phoenix Raceway

December 3, 2025 thepitwindow

From IndyCar:

The Fastest-Growing Meat Delivery Company in the U.S. Partners
with the Fastest Racing On Earth For Exhilarating Return to Historic Track

AVONDALE, Ariz. (Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025) – Good Ranchers, an American meat company, INDYCAR and Phoenix Raceway announced a new title partnership for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ race scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026. The Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway marks INDYCAR’s return to the thrilling and high-speed one-mile oval for the first time since 2018.
The INDYCAR SERIES race is part of a buzzworthy weekend alongside NASCAR, providing a joint showcase of North American racing in partnership with FOX.
“We’re excited to welcome Good Ranchers as the entitlement sponsor of our upcoming INDYCAR race,” Phoenix Raceway President Latasha Causey said. “Their commitment to giving back and serving our veterans really resonates with our community and our fans. It shows that Good Ranchers brings the same heart and purpose to their work that our race weekends bring to the Valley, and we’re proud to partner with them for an unforgettable and historic event.”
Since being founded in 2018, Good Ranchers has become the fastest-growing meat delivery company in America by committing to one purpose: to only source meat that’s born and raised in America. Good Ranchers works with local farms and ranches across the U.S. to deliver high-quality beef, chicken, pork and wild-caught seafood to homes nationwide. But the company’s dedication to strengthening America extends beyond the food industry. Good Ranchers also partners with Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), supporting programs that provide vital care, advocacy, and long-term resources for Veterans living with spinal cord injuries.
“At Good Ranchers, we’re driven by a purpose to support America, and that commitment has shaped every part of our story,” Good Ranchers founder and CEO Ben Spell said. “As an American-born racing tradition built on hard work and a relentless drive to push forward, INDYCAR embodies that same spirit. Together, we’re fueling American families on and off the track.”
The INDYCAR SERIES first raced at Phoenix in 1964. Past winners include a legendary list of champions such as A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Bobby Unser, Al Unser, Gordon Johncock, Johnny Rutherford, Tom Sneva, Bobby Rahal, Rick Mears, Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan, Scott Dixon and Josef Newgarden. Dixon and Newgarden join four-time and defending NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou and INDYCAR fan-favorite Pato O’Ward to headline a fast and determined field of 27 ready for Phoenix’ return to the schedule.The Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway is the second round of the 17-race 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship.
In preparation for the series’ return, an INDYCAR Open Test for all teams has been scheduled at the track for Tuesday-Wednesday Feb. 17-18.
The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opener is scheduled for Sunday, March 1 at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. For the second consecutive year, FOX will air all races for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the only premium motorsports series in North America with all races airing on broadcast television. Start times for the 2026 season will be announced in the coming weeks.

Juncos Hollinger Racing Finalizes 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Lineup with Sting Ray Robb

December 2, 2025 thepitwindow

From Juncos Hollinger Racing:

Catching Up and a Grid Update

December 1, 2025 thepitwindow

I am back. The last two months have been an adventure. Two trips to Winter Headquarters with a brief hospital stay in between left little time to do much else. Winter Headquarters is now permanently closed, and I survived the hospital.

Here is an update on the 2026 grid. Dale Coyne has yet to announce the driver of his second car. Sting Ray Robb has not officially been confirmed for the second Juncos Hollinger seat. Prema has signed drivers, but I don’t know if they will return. If they do, it will most likely be in a different form.

The lineup as of today:

Team Penske

Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin, David Malukas

Chip Ganassi Racing

Scott Dixon, Alex Palou, Kyffin Simpson

Andretti Global

Kyle Kirkwood, Will Power, Marcus Ericsson

Arrow McLaren

Pato O’Ward, Christian Lundgaard, Nolan Siegel

Ed Carpenter Racing

Alexander Rossi, Christian Rasmussen

Meyer Shank Racing

Felix Rosenqvist, Marcus Armstrong

A. J. Foyt Racing

Caio Collet (R), Santino Ferrucci

Rahal Letterman Racing

Graham Rahal, Louis Foster, Mick Schumacher (R)

Juncos Hollinger Racing

Rinus VeeKay, Sting Ray Robb*

Dale Coyne Racing

Dennis Hauger (R), TBD

Prema Racing*

Callum Ilott, Robert Shwartzman

R- rookie

Unconfirmed

Mick Schumacher Signs with RLL

November 24, 2025November 24, 2025 thepitwindow

Editor’s Note: I just got back to Indy from Florida, where I am closing Winter Headquarters. Mick is a great addition to the grid.

The story is from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

ZIONSVILLE, Ind. (November 24, 2025) – Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today that Mick Schumacher, 26, will compete for the team in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2026. The son of legendary seven-time Formula One champion, Michael Schumacher, brings with him an impressive resume that includes 43 Formula One starts and a best finish of sixth place, along with three podiums in WEC competition. Sponsorship details will be announced at a later date.

While Schumacher is no stranger to racing on road and street courses, he will add oval racing to his resume in 2026 as six of the 17 races in the 2026 INDYCAR SERIES will take place on an oval or superspeedway, including the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 24. RLL is in the process of planning an oval test for Schumacher in the near future.

The Swiss-born driver will compete in the No. 47 Honda-powered entry and completes the team’s 2026 full-season lineup alongside Graham Rahal and 2025 INDYCAR Rookie of the Year, Louis Foster. The number 47 carries symbolic meaning for Schumacher as it is a nod to his father and his family.

Schumacher most recently competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2024 and 2025 for Alpine and is switching his focus to INDYCAR for 2026. On October 13, he completed an INDYCAR test on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) road course, impressing the team with his pace, adaptability and technical feedback — an experience that further fueled his desire to return to open-wheel racing.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is North America’s premier open-wheel racing competition, featuring stars from across the globe competing at speeds faster than 370 kph (230 mph). Along with hosting the world-famous Indianapolis 500, the series boasts a mix of oval, temporary street circuit and permanent road course races across North America. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is sanctioned by INDYCAR, the governing body for North America’s premier open-wheel racing series and part of the Penske Entertainment family.

The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season begins with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 1. The 17-race schedule includes new venues in Arlington, Texas and Markham, Ontario, Canada. For more information about the series or team, visit www.indycar.com and http://www.rahal.com.

QUOTEBOARD:

MICK SCHUMACHER: “I am delighted to confirm today that I will be competing in the INDYCAR SERIES next year with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, taking part in the full season. 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.

“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.”

BOBBY RAHAL, Co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: “I think I speak for everyone at RLL when I say how thrilled we are to welcome Mick to the team and to INDYCAR. His test with us on the IMS road course was exceptional – he impressed every single team member. Everyone walked away from that event determined to do what we could to bring Mick into our program. We’re thrilled he’s chosen to join us, and we can’t wait to get to work.”

DAVID LETTERMAN, Co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: “I’m delighted to welcome Mick Schumacher to the RLL family — a young man who has competed against some of the world greatest racers. With Graham Rahal, Louis Foster and now Mick, the future for RLL is limitless. I’m very excited for the 2026 season. Still waiting for my seat fitting.”

MIKE LANIGAN, Co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: “What a great addition to our team!

Mick has the skills and experience that will help enhance our overall competitiveness in one of the most competitive racing series in the world. Welcome aboard Mick!”

JAY FRYE, President of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: “Opportunities like this are rare, and we couldn’t be more excited to see everything come together. Mick is an exceptional talent on the track and an outstanding young man off of it. We are very proud to have Mick as part of the RLL family.”

About Mick Schumacher
Mick Schumacher, 26, was born and raised in Switzerland and is the son of seven-time Formula One World Drivers’ Champion Michael Schumacher and his equestrian wife Corinna, as well as the nephew of former Formula One driver Ralf.

Initially competing under the pseudonyms Mick Betsch and Mick Junior, Schumacher finished runner-up to Enaam Ahmed at the junior direct-drive Karting World Championship and Karting European Championship in 2014. Graduating to junior formula in 2015, Schumacher finished runner-up in both ADAC F4 and Italian F4 in 2016. After finishing third in the MRF Challenge Championship in 2016-2017, Schumacher moved to FIA European Formula 3, winning the championship with Prema in 2018. Progressing to FIA Formula 2 for 2019, Schumacher won the title in 2020 with Prema.

He became a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2019, and went on to participate in rookie testing for Alfa Romeo and Haas in F1 in 2020, before he signed with the latter as a full-time driver in 2021. He made his Formula One debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix alongside Nikita Mazepin, but Haas failed to score points during the season with the VF-21, with Schumacher earning a season-best finish of 12th in Hungary.

In 2022, Schumacher teamed with Kevin Magnussen and scored his maiden points finish at the British Grand Prix with eighth place, followed by a career-best sixth at the Austrian Grand Prix. He was also the official reserve driver for Ferrari in 2022. For 2023 and 2024, he served as a reserve driver for Mercedes, which included serving in the same capacity for McLaren and Williams. In 2024, he moved to the FIA World Endurance with Alpine and achieved his first podium finish at the 6 Hours of Fuji. In 2025, he earned podium finishes in WEC at the 6 Hours of Imola and Spa-Francorchamps.

Letterman Lanigan Racing: “I’m delighted to welcome Mick Schumacher to the RLL family — a young man who has competed against some of the world greatest racers. With Graham Rahal, Louis Foster and now Mick, the future for RLL is limitless. I’m very excited for the 2026 season. Still waiting for my seat fitting.” MIKE LANIGAN, Co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: “What a great addition to our team!Mick has the skills and experience that will help enhance our overall competitiveness in one of the most competitive racing series in the world. Welcome aboard Mick!”JAY FRYE, President of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: “Opportunities like this are rare, and we couldn’t be more excited to see everything come together. Mick is an exceptional talent on the track and an outstanding young man off of it. We are very proud to have Mick as part of the RLL family.”

About Mick SchumacherMick Schumacher, 26, was born and raised in Switzerland and is the son of seven-time Formula One World Drivers’ Champion Michael Schumacher and his equestrian wife Corinna, as well as the nephew of former Formula One driver Ralf.

Graduating to junior formula in 2015, Schumacher finished runner-up in both ADAC F4 and Italian F4 in 2016. After finishing third in the MRF Challenge Championship in 2016-2017, Schumacher moved to FIA European Formula 3, winning the championship with Prema in 2018.

Progressing to FIA Formula 2 for 2019, Schumacher won the title in 2020 with Prema.He became a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2019, and went on to participate in rookie testing for Alfa Romeo and Haas in F1 in 2020, before he signed with the latter as a full-time driver in 2021.

He made his Formula One debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix alongside Nikita Mazepin, but Haas failed to score points during the season with the VF-21, with Schumacher earning a season-best finish of 12th in Hungary.In 2022, Schumacher teamed with Kevin Magnussen and scored his maiden points finish at the British Grand Prix with eighth place, followed by a career-best sixth at the Austrian Grand Prix.

He was also the official reserve driver for Ferrari in 2022. For 2023 and 2024, he served as a reserve driver for Mercedes, which included serving in the same capacity for McLaren and Williams. In 2024, he moved to the FIA World Endurance with Alpine and achieved his first podium finish at the 6 Hours of Fuji. In 2025, he earned podium finishes in WEC at the 6 Hours of Imola and Spa-Francorchamps.