Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Unveils Revamped 2026 INDYCAR Lineup

The team will field Graham Rahal, Louis Foster, and Mick Schumacher as they aim for success in the upcoming season.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) is gearing up for the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season with a revamped driver lineup. The team will field a trio of drivers: veteran Graham Rahal, rising star Louis Foster, and newcomer Mick Schumacher, a former Formula One driver. RLL is looking to build on a promising 2025 campaign that saw both Rahal and Foster demonstrate strong performances. The addition of Schumacher adds a new dimension to the team's ambitions as they prepare for an 18-race schedule, including the historic 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500.

Why it matters

RLL's driver lineup changes and technical staff additions signal the team's determination to compete at the front of the field in the 2026 INDYCAR season. The combination of experienced leadership, promising young talent, and a seasoned driver like Schumacher sets the stage for an exciting year ahead. The team's performance at the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will provide an early indication of their potential.

The details

Graham Rahal enjoyed a solid 2025 campaign, highlighted by strong showings at the Sonsio Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he qualified second and led 49 laps before finishing sixth. Rookie Louis Foster made a significant impact, earning the NTT P1 Award at Road America and leading three laps en route to an 11th-place finish. The arrival of Mick Schumacher, who replaces Devlin DeFrancesco, is a significant change for 2026. RLL has also bolstered its technical expertise with the hiring of engineer Gavin Ward, Brian Barnhart as senior vice president of operations, and Kyle Sagan as pit stop manager.

  • The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season kicks off on Sunday, March 1 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
  • The 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to take place during the 18-race 2026 season.

The players

Graham Rahal

A veteran driver who enjoyed a solid 2025 campaign, highlighted by strong performances at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Louis Foster

A rising star who was named the 2025 INDYCAR Rookie of the Year after earning the NTT P1 Award at Road America and finishing 11th in the championship.

Mick Schumacher

A former Formula One driver who joins RLL for the 2026 season, replacing Devlin DeFrancesco.

Gavin Ward

An experienced engineer hired by RLL as a special advisor.

Brian Barnhart

Hired as the senior vice president of operations and will serve as Graham Rahal's race strategist.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The team's performance at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will provide an early indication of their potential for the year.

The takeaway

RLL's revamped driver lineup and technical staff additions signal the team's determination to compete at the front of the field in the 2026 INDYCAR season. The combination of experienced leadership, promising young talent, and a seasoned driver like Schumacher sets the stage for an exciting year ahead.