Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher experienced his own chapter in F1, spending two years with Haas F1 — the second-least competitive team during that time — and lacking significant outcomes, exited the series where his father established the family legacy.
At the age of 26, Mick is still young enough to attempt another climb to the summit, but F1 has evolved in the three years since his last race. New contenders have emerged and taken on roles as test and development drivers; Schumacher, the 2020 Formula 2 champion, has been sidelined.
He’s keeping himself occupied with F1 simulator work for Mercedes and racing sports cars for Alpine in the FIA World Endurance Championship, akin to a former starting quarterback now relegated to a backup position. After participating in 43 F1 races over 2021 and 2022, Schumacher longs for the excitement of open-wheel racing; with F1 out of reach, he’s redirected his focus to the United States and the IndyCar Series.
An exploratory test on Oct. 13 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course provided Schumacher with a glimpse into IndyCar’s heavier and unapologetically demanding formula. The cars are nearly identical in almost every respect, offering the closest semblance of parity and equal chances for success, and lack power steering — a feature absent in F1 — making the task of powering nearly 5,000 pounds of downforce through the steering wheel a challenge to endure.
Louis Foster would give the team a real opportunity to rediscover its edge.
«Mick, during his brief time with us, was incredibly humble, very grounded, and down to earth,» Graham Rahal told ESPN. «Everyone praised his mother and the family for being wonderful people. When you reflect on a family that has experienced the highest of highs, global fame at a time when Michael Schumacher was as recognizable as Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and then all that they’ve had to endure from the injury, witnessing where the family stands today highlights their exceptional character.»
Graham Rahal appreciates the notion of a racing alliance between the Schumachers and Rahals, and for the simplest of reasons.
«Mick’s a racer, and while Formula 1 is excellent if you aim to be a politician, I’m not convinced that Formula 1 is optimal for a pure racer,» he added. «Look at Max Verstappen. He’s a true racer, and you often see his frustration, even when he’s on top, managing the constant nonsense. IndyCar is the opposite.
«For those wanting to be racers, IndyCar is the place to be. The financial incentives here aren’t comparable to Formula 1, but I believe that’s what draws these young talents to this realm without being restricted by the chassis or engine performance of a given year. I would be thrilled to see Mick race with us and help him rejuvenate his career.
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«Set the name aside; the kid can drive and perform. There’s no arrangement or anything that I’m aware of, yet, so it’s up to him to choose. He’s shown himself to be a remarkable young man, despite the pressures he’s faced growing up. By a much lesser degree, I can relate to the challenges of having my last name at my level, which surely isn’t on par with the Schumacher name. To be as humble and quick as he is, that’s incredibly impressive.»
Oval racing would present the most significant learning challenge for Schumacher to overcome if he joins RLL.
«If you’re a strong racer, you’ll manage on an oval just fine,» Rahal said. «Transitioning the other way is far more difficult. You can’t convert an excellent oval racer into a top road racer. It requires a considerable amount of bravery, and he wouldn’t have achieved what he has without it. If you’re an exceptional driver, you’ll be a remarkable driver on an oval. Feel is universal. And I’m sure Mick can step in and perform effectively. I have zero worries.»
RLL president Jay Frye, who arranged the test for Schumacher, is eager to hear about Mick’s decision.
«Sometimes things simply feel right, and this has potential to be very promising,» Frye said. «This starts with our ownership with Bobby, Dave, and Mike; they are 100% committed to making this team the best it can be, and then you add Mick, who is a terrific kid, serious about his trade.
«And even from the team’s perspective, it was evident he connected immediately. Upon exiting the car, he went around shaking hands with all team members. You could sense a definite bond among them already. That’s pretty exciting to witness.
«My wife and I had dinner with Mick and his mother and family, and it felt like we were reconnecting with old friends instantly. It was incredible. How many times does that happen in your life? Then we conducted a debrief over Zoom a few days later, and he provided excellent feedback to our engineers; we learned a lot of valuable insights. Overall, it couldn’t have been a more positive experience, and we’ll see where it goes from here.»
