The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season is rapidly approaching, kicking off on Sunday, March 1 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Among the teams gearing up for the challenge is Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL), who enter the season with a revamped driver lineup and renewed optimism. The team will field a trio of drivers: Graham Rahal, Louis Foster, and newcomer Mick Schumacher, as the series prepares for an 18-race schedule, including the historic 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500.
RLL is looking to build on a 2025 season that saw both veteran Graham Rahal and rookie Louis Foster demonstrate promising performances. The addition of Schumacher, a former Formula One driver, adds a new dimension to the team’s ambitions. The season opener in St. Petersburg is scheduled for noon ET and will be broadcast on FOX, FOX One, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports app, and the INDYCAR Radio Network.
2025 Season in Review: Rahal and Foster Show Promise
Graham Rahal enjoyed a solid 2025 campaign, highlighted by strong showings at the Sonsio Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he qualified second and led 49 laps before finishing sixth. He also demonstrated impressive recovery drives, notably finishing fourth at Portland after starting from 22nd position. Rahal consistently reached the Firestone Fast Six qualifying round at Detroit, Road America, and Toronto, ultimately finishing 19th in the overall standings.
Rookie Louis Foster made a significant impact, earning the NTT P1 Award at Road America and leading three laps en route to an 11th-place finish. He also secured another 11th-place result at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, starting from third position. Foster’s qualifying prowess was further demonstrated with a sixth-place start at Mid-Ohio. He was ultimately recognized as the series’ Rookie of the Year, finishing 23rd in points. Devlin DeFrancesco, RLL’s third driver in 2025, achieved a best finish of 11th at the Indianapolis 500, impressively leading the first 17 laps of the race, and finished 26th in the championship.
Schumacher Joins RLL, Key Personnel Changes
A significant change for 2026 is the arrival of Mick Schumacher, who replaces Devlin DeFrancesco and will pilot the No. 47 Honda. Schumacher spent the 2025 season competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Behind the scenes, RLL team president Jay Frye has bolstered the team’s technical expertise with the hiring of three experienced professionals: engineer Gavin Ward as a special advisor, Brian Barnhart as senior vice president of operations, and Kyle Sagan as pit stop manager. Barnhart will also serve as Rahal’s race strategist.
The story behind Schumacher’s car number is noteworthy. Initially requesting his preferred number 4, he discovered it was already taken by rookie Caio Collet at AJ Foyt Racing. His second choice, No. 7, honoring his father Michael Schumacher’s seven Formula One championships, was unavailable as it’s used by Christian Lundgaard at Arrow McLaren. He ultimately settled on No. 47, a combination of his preferred numbers, a number last used by Conor Daly at Indianapolis in 2021.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course: A Track to Watch
RLL has consistently demonstrated strong performance at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course in recent years. The team has recorded eight top-10 finishes and an 11th-place result in the last five races at the track. Former RLL driver Christian Lundgaard achieved four top-four finishes there, while Graham Rahal has consistently finished in the top 10 in his last five starts, including a second-place finish. The team believes a victory at the Indianapolis road course is within reach.
As the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season approaches, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing appears well-positioned to compete at the front of the field. The combination of experienced leadership, promising young talent, and the addition of a seasoned driver like Mick Schumacher sets the stage for an exciting season.
The team’s performance at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will provide an early indication of their potential for the year. Fans can follow the action live on March 1, as RLL embarks on its 2026 campaign.
What are your predictions for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing this season? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
