Mick Schumacher's mom connects with IndyCar team on a deep level as RLL's 2026 goal becomes clear

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing's veteran driver Graham Rahal has shared inside details from Mick Schumacher's first test with the IndyCar team. The former Haas F1 driver tested with RLL in mid-October at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.

It was Schumacher's first IndyCar test as part of an evaluation to switch to the premier American open-wheel racing series in 2026. His mom, Corinna Schumacher, the wife of Michael Schumacher, flew to the IMS to witness the test.

Graham Rahal wanted to be at the IMS for the test to ease Mick Schumacher's testing process, but stayed with his wife, Courtney Force, as they expected their third child that week. However, the six-time IndyCar race winner got a comprehensive debrief about Schumacher's performance, professionalism, and also how "amazing" the 25-year-old's mom treated the members of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

Appearing on the Off Track with Hinch and Rossi podcast, Rahal said:

"Test went well, professionalism to a very, very high standard, as expected. What I got out from it from all the staff that was there, from all the team members, was what a humble, down-to-earth human being Mick was."

Rahal elaborated on Corinna Schumacher's warm and respectful behavior with the RLL team members, adding:

"And then his mother was apparently amazing to everybody. When we came up, on a worldwide scale, it was Michael Schumacher, Michael Jordan, and maybe Tiger Woods. That was it, right? Now because of social media, there's a lot more names, but at that time, that was it. And yet, here's the lady that lived to the highest of highs, and unfortunately, some pretty low tides (after husband Michael Schumacher's life-altering skiing accident), that comes in, couldn't have been nicer to our people, couldn't have been more humble, couldn't have been more caring, engaged."

Mick Schumacher and his mother also had dinner with RLL president Jay Frye and his wife after the test.

Graham Rahal and RLL clear about potentially signing Mick Schumacher for 2026

Mick Schumacher at the F1 Dutch Grand Prix - Source: Getty

Graham Rahal also shared his and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing's outlook on potentially signing Mick Schumacher for the 2026 IndyCar season. Though he was wary of the 'moving pieces' that they would encounter, the goal was clear - sign Schumacher.

"I would love to see Mick, I'd love to see it happen," Rahal said on the aforementioned podcast. "And I think that's ultimately the goal. But there's a lot of moving pieces that go into this, but for sure."

Mick's uncle, Ralf Schumacher, had warned him about the dangers of racing on IndyCar's ovals when news about the test became public. However, the 25-year-old had no issues about ovals, and Rahal emphasized that point.

"I get what his uncle Ralf wants to make everybody think, but I don't gather that's a super tight relationship, anyway. But to me, you know, I think he's all in," the 36-year-old said.

Mick Schumacher has expressed interest in doing another test with RLL on an oval before deciding on an immediate future in IndyCar. He has been driving for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship since 2024, a commitment he'll drop if an IndyCar move materializes.

Edited by Yash Kotak