Mick Schumacher addresses IndyCar approach after successful first test

Mick Schumacher has addressed the approach being taken ahead of his maiden IndyCar campaign following a successful first oval test.

For 2026, Schumacher will race for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in the North American single-seater series and drove an all-black #47 Honda on Wednesday in a private test.

Schumacher gained his first oval IndyCar experience on Wednesday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where he completed 97 laps of the 1.5-mile circuit.

The former F1 driver was joined by 2026 team-mate Graham Rahal and driver coach Ryan Briscoe. Despite being new to the category, Schumacher insisted he found the limit quickly.

"We reached it pretty early,” Schumacher told Motorsport.com. "With the car being quite high in ride height, the car was moving around quite a bit; it was loose in the rear. And then as we were making the changes, it started to just build a little bit more push. 

"Overall, I think we had both extremes that you want. We had both understeer, heavy understeer, and we had both also quite a loose rear, which was great for me to experience to see how the car behaved in those moments.

"If anything, I would be much more confident and comfortable. Obviously, more comfortable with the understeer overall, which is just gives the most security and safety when driving. 

"And now I just need to figure out what I can drive with, how I'm comfortable, and figure out also what the settings I like in the car.

"I think we've really achieved a lot."

No Schumacher expecations

It has been a difficult period for Schumacher since being axed by Haas at the end of the 2022 F1 season, having only raced for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship.

IndyCar marks his anticipated return to single-seater racing after three years without a race seat in a single-seater outfit.

However, with the unique variation of circuits in IndyCar, including ovals, there is much for Schumacher to learn.

Ahead of his test on Wednesday, the 26-year-old was taken up the banking in a minivan by Briscoe, although Schumacher explained that what is really helping him is the team's zero-expectation approach.

"It was more of them telling me, 'Hey, we're not here to prove anything, we're just here to learn,'" Schumacher said. "That really resonated with me because that was the approach that I wanted to take.

"First day with a team, properly with the team and everything, you always want to maybe do something more. I think coming back to that mindset of like, 'No, actually, we're here to learn and we're here to do things right,' and approach them maybe in a cautious way really helped me to feel comfortable and go into today with less expectations and just be expecting to do everything at my pace. That's been really good today.

"Ryan's been great for that. Graham's been great for that. But especially the whole team has given me that feeling that we're in it together and taking our time."