Crashes and demolition
Third from last: This is how Mick Schumacher’s first training session went
02/28/2026 – 9:59 a.mReading time: 1 min.
In preparation for his first race in the IndyCar Series, Mick Schumacher experienced turbulent training – and he couldn’t help it.
Mick Schumacher completed his first laps in the IndyCar car in Florida – and achieved a training result that at first glance seems inconspicuous. The German, who drives for the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team, came third from last. But the start in St. Petersburg was tough.
With 37 laps, the 26-year-old completed the most laps of any driver. However, training was repeatedly interrupted by red flags. Right at the start of the first 40-minute session, Dennis Hauger (Dale Coyne Racing) lost a feather. Later, two-time champion Josef Newgarden (Team Penske) crashed into a tire wall.
And the second session didn’t go according to plan either. Actually, two sections of twelve minutes each were planned, in which half of the field would take to the track. Instead, all cars were sent onto the track together. There, veteran Scott Dixon (Chip Genassi Racing) completely destroyed his car – the session was canceled. In the last segment, Schumacher’s teammate Louis Foster caused the last interruption of the day.
At least positive for Schumacher: The IndyCar rookie remained without incident and collected important kilometers. In the end he was 1.069 seconds short of the best time. Qualifying for Sunday’s race takes place on Saturday at 10:30 p.m.
