Schumacher ‘not taking lightly’ oval racing dangers in IndyCar

Mick Schumacher says that he’ll enter the NTT IndyCar Series next season with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with eyes wide open and adrenaline pumping.

After several years spent in the high-pressure corridors of Formula 1 – fighting at the back of the field in machinery that couldn’t showcase his true talent – the German finally feels he’s returning to a form of racing where his own performance can make a tangible difference.

And while he’s eager to tackle IndyCar’s multiple challenges, Schumacher is equally clear-eyed about the inherent dangers involved in competing on high-bank ovals, including the unforgiving 2.5-mile superspeedway at Indianapolis.

For many European drivers, that’s the deal-breaker. For Schumacher, it’s part of the thrill he’s been craving.

‘Like my good old karting days’

Schumacher’s enthusiasm for the series was immediately apparent as he spoke about the competitive parity that IndyCar is known for.

“I think it reminds me a little bit of the good old karting days,” he said during a virtual media session. “I think it’s pretty similar to how WEC racing was. There’s a lot of side-by-side and maybe a little touch here and there.

“From what I understand, the cars are pretty robust, as well, when it comes to side-by-side action, and I’ve talked to a couple of other drivers and they really enjoy the racing side of things.”

That raw, driver-first environment is exactly what lured him across the Atlantic.

“It’s great. I think it’s the way it should be. I think it’s great that you have so many different potential winners. It is down to you to really dig deep and try to get everything out of yourself,” he added.

“Yeah, I’m very excited about it, and I think there’s lots to look forward to. I think for me, it was really just about getting into my own car and doing that, feeling that, and being able to take the opportunities that are given to me.

“Therefore, yeah, I’m just purely excited for the great racing that there will be and the fun it will bring.”

His full-time commitment comes after a productive test six weeks ago at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, which helped crystallize his decision.

“Well, I think that ultimately for me, it was just interesting to explore that single-seater route again and kind of be more settled in it,” he said of his thought process.

“Obviously to me, IndyCar was the best option. I just had to confirm to myself and to everybody around me that this is something I could see myself doing long-term.

“Therefore, I think the decision-making process was pretty simple. It was just trying to figure out how committed I would be, and obviously I wouldn’t be here if I weren’t 100 percent committed.”

Respect for the Risk – But No Half Measures

Six of the 17 races in 2026 will take place on ovals, including Phoenix early in the season and the iconic Indianapolis 500 in May. Europe-trained racers often hesitate at the prospect of 230-mph pack racing, but Schumacher didn’t hide from the subject.

“Yeah, of course it’s something that I’ve been thinking about. But on the other hand, I think motorsport as a whole is dangerous, so I don’t really see why that one thing should be more dangerous than anything else,” he said.

Safety progress within IndyCar also reassured him.

“Obviously there have been multiple things, and Jay (Frye, RLL president and former IndyCar president) has been a big part of making oval racing, or just racing in IndyCar in general, safer. We’ve had multiple conversations about that, and they’ve all been positive to my ears.

“That’s why I ultimately took the decision. Of course it’s not something to take lightly. I don’t take it lightly. It is crazy speeds; it is super quick. We’re obviously racing hard, side by side. But I accept the risk for the enjoyment of the racing.”

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And in true racer fashion, the idea of skipping the ovals never tempted him.

“To me, it was important not to do a halfway thing but actually go in and do it 100 percent, and definitely ovals are part of that. I’ve had good conversations with people who had good and bad views on it, and I just had to average that out and decide for m

yself.”

With a committed approach – and a healthy respect for what awaits – Schumacher is heading into IndyCar ready to rediscover the thrill of raw competition, even if it means taking on some of the most intimidating circuits in motorsport.

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