Former F1 driver Mick Schumacher has been confirmed to test with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on October 13. This test marks a significant opportunity for the German racer as he explores a potential move to IndyCar.

Mick’s uncle, Ralf Schumacher, spoke out just days before the test, warning his nephew about the dangers associated with IndyCar, particularly the oval tracks.

Mick Schumacher raced for the Haas F1 team but was released after the 2022 season. Following his departure from Formula 1, he spent a year as Mercedes’ reserve driver before joining Alpine’s World Endurance Championship programme.

Meanwhile, RLL reportedly has a performance clause in Devlin DeFrancesco’s contract, allowing them to replace him at the end of the season. Shortly after these reports, Mick Schumacher was announced to participate in the IndyCar test for RLL at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course.

After the announcement, Mick expressed his excitement about returning to single-seater open-wheel racing. There is a possibility that if the test goes well, he could sign with RLL for the 2026 IndyCar season.

### Ralf Schumacher’s Concerns About IndyCar

Despite Mick’s enthusiasm, his uncle Ralf Schumacher voiced strong concerns about the dangers of IndyCar, especially racing on oval circuits. He stated:

> “That’s why I, personally, don’t think it’s a good idea. It’s not so easy for people from IndyCar to make the transition to Formula 1. The tests that have taken place so far have not been successful. And if you go over there, it’s a bit like Japan — the standard is still high, so it won’t be that easy to succeed in America. And that’s why it’s an additional pressure that perhaps you don’t need to put yourself under.”

### Ralf Schumacher’s Verdict on Mick Schumacher’s F1 Future

Mick Schumacher has not raced in Formula 1 since the 2022 season. The current F1 grid is extremely competitive, featuring multiple young drivers such as Arvid Lindblad and Alex Dunne, who are already threatening to make their own F1 debut. Other emerging talents like Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman, Isack Hadjar, and Gabriel Bortoleto have also progressed to F1 this year.

Regarding Mick’s potential F1 return, Ralf Schumacher commented:

> “He’s been out of Formula 1 for a few years now, you can already say he’s running out of time. Statistically speaking, it’s getting harder and harder for Mick, you have to be honest. The longer he is out, the less likely he is to return.”

There had been rumors linking Mick to the Cadillac F1 seat for the 2026 season. However, the team opted to sign Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez instead, further reducing Mick’s chances of a comeback.

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**About the Author**
Pranay Bhagi is a motorsports journalist at Sportskeeda with over two years of industry experience. He has contributed to respected platforms such as EssentiallySports and SportsRush, writing nearly 2,000 articles covering Formula 1 and NASCAR. Pranay is known for presenting unique angles and breaking down complex developments, making him a trusted voice in the motorsports community.

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