Mick Schumacher describes entering a corner without braking as “one of the weird parts” of his initial IndyCar oval test at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Schumacher is gearing up for his debut season in the US-based IndyCar Series with the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team.
Mick Schumacher Undertakes First IndyCar Oval Test Ahead of 2026 Season
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The son of seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher made 43 appearances for the Haas team during 2021 and 2022 before serving as Mercedes’ reserve driver in 2023.
After competing for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, he is now focusing on single-seater racing again.
Schumacher completed his first oval test in Miami this week, driving 97 laps and achieving a maximum speed of 194 miles per hour.
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In 2026, five of the 18 IndyCar races will be held on oval tracks, with the first slated for March 7 at Phoenix Raceway, just before the F1 season opener in Australia.
The 2025 IndyCar season will kick off in St. Petersburg on March 1, followed by the iconic Indianapolis 500 on May 24.
In a statement from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Schumacher acknowledged that learning to enter corners without braking took some adjustment.
He explained the differences he experienced between oval tracks and traditional circuits: “It’s different. The initial orientation posed some difficulty—figuring out which side of the track I was on and which corner I was approaching. However, I adapted quickly. It’s all quite new to me, and I’m just getting familiar with the car’s feel on the track; today went quite well, and there’s room for improvement.”
“One of the odd parts of testing on an oval for the first time was entering corners without braking, which was entirely new for me,” he added. “As I approached the corner, still at full throttle, I had to adjust how I bled off speed while entering. We haven’t raced on this track in several years, so initial setups were conservative, making things feel a bit awkward. But as we dialed in the setup, it started to feel more coherent.”
“By the end of the day, I felt much more secure in my confidence and cornering approach,” Schumacher said. “The weather conditions were decent, despite some gusty winds, making it a great place for a first oval test. I experimented with various lines to see the differences and prepare for the upcoming full test in Phoenix, where I’ll truly experience racing against others.”
He expressed optimism about their progress: “So far, I’m feeling reassured about our direction. I didn’t expect to be this far ahead of my anticipated starting point, but everything is aligning as we get ready for the first race. I’m eager to experience how it feels with other cars on the track in regard to dirty air and washout.”
Moreover, Schumacher acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, “There’s still a lot to grasp, but we’re making strides. Preparing for St. Pete is crucial, and after that, we’ll tackle the future.”
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