Mick Schumacher has found some support for a switch to IndyCar in 2026 from a Ferrari F1 icon. The 26-year-old had taken part in an IndyCar test with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course in mid-October to evaluate a potential switch to the American racing series next year.

His two-year F1 stint with Haas was a failure, after which he shifted to racing for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship. However, he still longed for a return to open-wheel racing, and IndyCar seemed to be his best option, with chances of an F1 return diminishing.

However, his uncle, Ralf Schumacher, had expressed concern about the dangerous nature of racing on IndyCar’s ovals, which, in the distant past, have taken many lives. However, Ferrari F1 icon Gerhard Berger highlighted how those safety concerns have been nearly put to bed, and it is no longer as dangerous as it was over a decade ago.

“I think IndyCar isn’t as dangerous as it was in my day,” Berger told RTL (as quoted by Grandprix.com). There have been some improvements, including to the cockpit. So I believe it’s a good solution for Mick.”

The 10-time Grand Prix winner, who was replaced by Mick Schumacher’s dad, Michael Schumacher, at Ferrari in 1996, compared F1 and IndyCar, adding:

“For me, Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport, no question. The IndyCar series has to come in second. Before Formula 1 became popular in America, IndyCar was always number one there – it was already the benchmark in my day.”

On Thursday, November 23, Mick Schumacher announced that he was parting ways with Alpine after the 2025 WEC season. This now puts IndyCar on his immediate radar for 2026.

‘Things just felt right’ between Mick Schumacher and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing after IMS test

Mick Schumacher’s test with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing came as a surprise because, on paper, the team had all three drivers locked in for next season. However, the test confirmed the speculation that the team wanted to replace Devlin DeFrancesco after his dismal 2025 season.

Schumacher’s professionalism and pace impressed everybody at RLL in that test. His mother, Corinna, also attended the test, highlighting the seriousness with which an IndyCar switch was being considered as a possibility.

RLL president Jay Frye spoke about the situation with ESPN, saying:

“Sometimes things just feel right, and this has got potential to be really good. This starts with our ownership with Bobby and Dave and Mike; they’re 100% behind making this team the best it can be, and then you bring in Mick, and he’s a great kid, but very serious about his craft.”

Mick Schumacher, unbothered by the safety concerns that his uncle had highlighted, was ready to commit to IndyCar ‘100%’ after the test. He wasn’t interested in pursuing a part-time program of racing on only road and street circuits and not on ovals.