IndyCar Grid Contracts as Six Drivers Depart Ahead of the 2026 Season Opener in St. Petersburg

IndyCar field shrinks to 25 cars for 2026 as Colton Herta chases F1 and Mick Schumacher joins the grid. See the full list of driver and team changes.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 1, 2026, 9:18 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Beyond The Flag

Grid Dynamics Shift as Prema Racing Suspends Full Time Operations

The NTT IndyCar Series enters the 2026 season with a notably smaller footprint following a record-breaking expansion in the previous year. While 2025 saw a modern-era high of 27 full-time entries bolstered by the arrival of Prema Racing, the 11th team has opted not to start the 2026 schedule. This withdrawal effectively removes Robert Shwartzman—the 2025 Indy 500 rookie pole-sitter—and teammate Callum Ilott from the full-time roster. As the series prepares for its 18-race calendar, the paddock remains uncertain if or when the Italian outfit intends to return to the American open-wheel circuit.

Herta Pursues Formula 1 Ambitions as Will Power Joins Andretti

In one of the most significant off-season maneuvers, Colton Herta has voluntarily vacated his seat at Andretti Global after a seven-year tenure that yielded nine victories. Herta’s departure is fueled by a strategic move to secure a Formula 1 Super License; he has signed as a reserve driver for the new Cadillac F1 team and will compete in Formula 2 with Hitech Grand Prix to gain the necessary points. Filling the high-profile void in the No. 26 Honda is former Team Penske champion Will Power, bringing veteran leadership to the Andretti stable as Herta shifts his focus toward the global stage.

Journeyman Transitions and Shock Driver Swaps Reshape the Midfield

The "ultimate journeyman" of the series, Conor Daly, finds himself without a full-time seat once again after being released by Juncos Hollinger Racing. Daly’s exit made way for Rinus VeeKay, whose sudden decision to leave Dale Coyne Racing at the conclusion of the 2025 season caught many in the industry by surprise. VeeKay is now slated to pilot the No. 76 Chevrolet for the Juncos squad. These shifts underscore a turbulent primary transfer market where established names are being displaced by younger talent or tactical veteran acquisitions aimed at climbing the championship standings.