News summary
- Hélio Castroneves praised Mick Schumacher’s first IndyCar season, highlighting the German’s quick adaptation and speed.
- Schumacher was announced by Meyer Shank Racing on Friday as Felix Rosenqvist’s replacement for 2027 and will drive the No. 66 Honda.
- Castroneves believes Schumacher and Marcus Armstrong give Meyer Shank Racing strong expectations for the 2027 season.
Hélio Castroneves has welcomed Mick Schumacher to Meyer Shank Racing and praised the German’s performance during his rookie IndyCar season.
Castroneves, who is a co-owner of Meyer Shank Racing alongside Mike Shank and Jim Meyer, spoke to GRANDE PRÊMIO after the team confirmed Schumacher as its new driver for the 2027 season.
Schumacher will move from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing to Meyer Shank Racing after the 2026 season, replacing Felix Rosenqvist. The German will drive the No. 66 Honda, while Marcus Armstrong will move to the No. 60 entry.
The announcement ended speculation over the seat, with Meyer Shank Racing confirming Schumacher as part of its 2027 IndyCar lineup on Friday.
Although Schumacher currently sits 23rd in the 2026 championship with 205 points, Castroneves believes the German has shown enough during his first season to justify the move.
“All of us at Meyer Shank Racing are very happy to welcome Mick Schumacher, our new driver for the 2027 Indy season,” Castroneves told GRANDE PRÊMIO.
“The excitement is huge on both sides. It’s really cool to have such an important surname in world motorsport at our team, and Mick is a driver who arrives with good credentials. He has done very well in his rookie season in IndyCar, proved that he learns very quickly and adapted very easily, while also delivering a lot of speed,” Castroneves added.
Schumacher’s rookie campaign has included several notable moments. He was the top-finishing rookie in the 2026 Indianapolis 500, taking 18th place, and has continued to gain experience on both road courses and ovals.
His ability to adapt to oval racing has been particularly important as he prepares for a second season in a championship that demands experience across very different types of circuits.
“It will be really cool to work with Schumacher and his whole team. Anyway, our expectations are the best with Mick and Marcus Armstrong for next year,” Castroneves concluded.
Meyer Shank Racing enters the 2027 season after a landmark 2026 campaign that included Felix Rosenqvist’s Indianapolis 500 victory, the team’s second win in the event after Castroneves’ triumph in 2021.
For Schumacher, the move represents an opportunity to build on his first year in IndyCar with a team that has already demonstrated its ability to win the series’ biggest race.
Before turning his attention to Meyer Shank, however, Schumacher still has one race remaining with RLL. The 2026 IndyCar season concludes at Laguna Seca this weekend, from September 4-6.
FAQ
Why did Meyer Shank Racing sign Mick Schumacher?
The team was impressed by Schumacher’s progress, adaptation and speed during his rookie IndyCar season, particularly his ability to adjust to oval racing.
Which car will Schumacher drive at Meyer Shank Racing?
Schumacher will drive the No. 66 Honda in 2027, while Marcus Armstrong will move to the No. 60.
What did Hélio Castroneves say about Schumacher?
Castroneves praised Schumacher’s quick learning process and adaptation to IndyCar, saying the German had “delivered a lot of speed” during his rookie campaign.
