Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) is preparing for the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series, which kicks off on Sunday, March 1, at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The team’s driver lineup includes Graham Rahal piloting the No. 15 Honda, Louis Foster in the No. 45 Honda, and Mick Schumacher joining as the driver of the No. 47 Honda.
Recap of the 2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Graham Rahal delivered several notable performances. At the Sonsio Grand Prix held on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, he qualified second, led 49 of 85 laps, and battled to a sixth-place finish. Rahal also impressed at Portland, where he advanced from 22nd on the grid to finish fourth, leading 10 laps during the race. Additionally, he reached the Firestone Fast Six qualifying rounds at Detroit, Road America, and Toronto, ending the season 19th in the overall standings.
Rookie driver Louis Foster earned acclaim by winning the NTT P1 Award at Road America, leading for three laps and securing his best race finish of 11th. He also demonstrated strong qualifying and race pace with an 11th-place finish after starting third on the IMS road course and a sixth-place start at Mid-Ohio where he qualified for the Firestone Fast Six. Foster closed the season ranked 23rd and was named the series’ Rookie of the Year.
Devlin DeFrancesco completed his season with the team ranking 26th in points. His top result came at the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, where he led the first 17 laps of his career in the race and finished 11th. DeFrancesco’s most impressive qualifying was a fifth-place start on the IMS road course. Meanwhile, Mick Schumacher spent 2025 competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Changes and Additions for the 2026 Campaign
For the upcoming season, Mick Schumacher replaces Devlin DeFrancesco in the No. 47 entry, a change from the earlier No. 30 car number. Behind the scenes, RLL’s leadership strengthened with the addition of seasoned motorsport professionals: engineer Gavin Ward as a special advisor, Brian Barnhart as senior vice president of operations, and Kyle Sagan stepping in as pit stop manager. On weekends, Barnhart will manage strategy for Graham Rahal, aiming to enhance the team’s race performances.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Strength on Road Courses
The IMS road course stands out as RLL’s strongest track in recent years. Over the last five events, the team achieved eight top-10 finishes and one 11th-place result. Former RLL driver Christian Lundgaard recorded four top-four finishes, while Graham Rahal has maintained a string of five consecutive top-10 finishes, including a second-place podium. The team’s consistent success at this venue creates high expectations that a win is imminent.
The Story Behind the No. 47 Car Number
When signing with RLL, Mick Schumacher requested to use No. 4, his favorite number, but AJ Foyt Racing had rights to it as rookie Caio Collet currently races with that number. Schumacher then sought No. 7 to honor his father Michael Schumacher’s seven Formula One championships; however, Arrow McLaren holds that number for Christian Lundgaard. Combining these figures led Schumacher to choose No. 47, previously driven by Conor Daly at Indianapolis in 2021.
“It’s not even open for debate that the IMS road course has been RLL’s best track in recent years.” – Jay Frye, Team President
“Barnhart will serve as Rahal’s strategist on race weekends.” – Jay Frye, Team President
This blend of experienced leadership and promising new talent positions Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing as a team to watch as the 2026 IndyCar Series unfolds. With its road course success and key personnel additions, the team seeks to build on past achievements and contend more consistently for victories in the coming season.
