Schumacher enjoys first IndyCar laps, eyes future in America

Mick Schumacher enjoyed his first laps onboard an IndyCar on Monday at the Indianapolis Motor Speed, courtesy of Rahal Letterman Lanigan, marking what could be the beginning of a bold new chapter in his career.

The test on Indy’s 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course was described as “exploratory”, but the intent was clear: to see whether a switch from Europe to America’s premier open-wheel series might be Schumacher’s next step.

For the former Haas F1 charger, the outing was a return to familiar sensations. Having spent last year as an F1 reserve driver with Mercedes and this year contesting sports car races in the FIA World Endurance Championship with Alpine, the young German has missed the visceral feel of single-seater racing.

And after his first laps in an IndyCar, his verdict was concise and positive.

“So far, so good,” Schumacher said on Monday.

A New Racing Home?

Schumacher’s smile was easy to read as he stepped out of the RLL Honda during a midday break. His comments revealed both a curiosity about the series and a genuine appetite to reignite his career on new soil.

“IndyCar comes the closest to what I can still race,” Schumacher told IndyCar.com. “I can’t go back to (Formula 2, which he won in 2020) because I won a championship. IndyCar might be a good option.

“Obviously, my target the past couple of years has been to go back to Formula 1, but that option hasn’t quite opened up this year or the years previous to that.

“So, at some point I want to race again in single-seaters, and therefore (this) option is a good one.”

Conversations with several of his colleagues in the WEC who raced in IndyCar helped pique Schumacher’s interest in the U.S.-based series. Many, he said, spoke of its competitiveness, its authenticity, and its deep connection with fans.

“Frankly, it’s a great championship (with) 17 races,” Schumacher said.

“I’m still young, so I do want to race as much as I can, and I think the people here really live motorsports. I also like the mentality of the driver being the main part of the team and (him) driving the team forward.”

It’s a spirit that seems to resonate with Schumacher, who made 43 F1 starts between 2021 and 2022. Watching the Indianapolis 500 earlier this year also helped solidify his appreciation for the series’ passion and scale.

Decisions and Dreams Ahead

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing – which fielded cars this season for Graham Rahal, Devlin DeFrancesco, and Rookie of the Year Louis Foster – could have a seat open for Schumacher if he decides to take the plunge. For now, though, he remains in a period of reflection.

“It’s a decision that lies with both sides, and I think obviously in this moment, I guess it’s mostly on my end because I have to figure out if I want to do (IndyCar) or not,” he said.

“We all have a couple of days and weeks to think about it and see what opportunities there are for the future. But so far, so good.”

Though he hasn’t yet tested on an oval – something his father famously avoided – Schumacher said he wouldn’t shy away from it if the opportunity arose.

“For sure, I’m interested to try it and see what it’s all about,” he said.

“I might as well (as) it’s what the (series) is about, and I think it would be wrong to just do one part of (the races). If I were to commit (to INDYCAR), I’d like to commit to it fully.”

Read also:

• Mick Schumacher: ‘Single-seaters are still something I burn for’

Sharing the track Monday with established IndyCar names like Alexander Rossi and Christian Rasmussen, as well as a crop of INDY NXT hopefuls, Schumacher got a first-hand sense of the series’ depth and competitiveness.

And while he doesn’t recall being at Indianapolis for any of his father’s dominant runs in F1 during the 2000s – “You’d have to ask my mom,” he said with a grin – the younger Schumacher sounded ready to start a new family chapter at the Brickyard.

“I’m happy to be here and happy to drive the car,” he said. “It’s fun (driving single seaters), that’s about it.

“I want to enjoy racing, and to do that I want to find where I feel most at home. I’m not saying Europe or WEC or any of those other championships aren’t that, but I feel maybe racing (single seaters) is always what I wanted to do.”

If Monday was any indication, Schumacher may have found just the place to do that – on American asphalt, with a new dream beginning to take shape.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook