Mick Schumacher, son of the legend Michael, recently experienced the joys of ovals in IndyCar during a test at the famous Homestead-Miami circuit. And if his initial impressions are anything to go by, it seems the driver has found his rhythm in this world where speed and adrenaline reign supreme.
A Promising First Test
This Wednesday, the former F1 driver for Haas took to the track at the Homestead-Miami Speedway oval, about 50 km south of Miami. This fully private test, orchestrated by Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL), marks the beginning of a new adventure for Schumacher, who will be one of the three full-time drivers for the team during the 2026 IndyCar season.
Behind the wheel of his single-seater, still adorned with black paint and bearing the number 47, Mick let his experienced teammate, Graham Rahal, ensure everything was in order before he took off. In the morning, Rahal conducted a shakedown to fine-tune the car’s settings to the specific conditions of the day.
Since 2011, IndyCar teams have only used the Homestead oval for testing, making this moment even more significant for Schumacher. After Rahal’s run, it was time for him to take the controls.
Mick Schumacher’s Verdict
In a video shared on social media during his test day, Schumacher expressed his satisfaction: he had “logged a lot of laps.” According to his own words, “a few adjustments were made here and there to improve the car,” while the goal for the second half of the day was to “check off a few more boxes on [his] list.”
The smiles and enthusiasm lighting up his face at the end of the day left no doubt: driving an IndyCar on an oval is an experience he savored. “It’s really fun. Stay tuned,” he said with a knowing smile.
Schumacher “On the Right Track”
Later in the day, he shared an interesting reflection on the differences between traditional circuits and ovals. “The biggest difference is undoubtedly that on an oval, you approach the corners without braking. For me, that was something I had to get used to.”
He added: “Having the feeling of being able to throw the car into the corner without lifting off the throttle was certainly something completely new for me, but I got used to it quite quickly and it didn’t pose any major problems.”
Overall, he acknowledges that he still has a lot to learn about oval racing, but he remains confident: “I am on the right track.”
And Now?
With this encouraging first test, Mick Schumacher is preparing for the 2026 IndyCar season where he will race on six ovals. But before that, he has two more test sessions to complete.
On February 9 and 10, all teams will gather for testing on the short course of Sebring International Raceway. These winter tests are crucial for preparing for street races, often as degraded as the Sebring layout.
Then, on February 17 and 18, a final oval test will take place at Phoenix Raceway in Arizona. This one-mile circuit is making its return to the IndyCar calendar after being absent since 2018. The race scheduled at Phoenix will take place on March 7, marking the second round of the season.
Just a week later, on March 15, Schumacher will participate in what he himself describes as a “mini home race” on the brand-new street circuit in Arlington, Texas. A season opener that promises to be rich in emotions for the young driver.
