Brazilian driver Caio Collet sees racing in IndyCar in 2026 as “a dream come true“. AJ Foyt Racing signed the 23-year-old after two seasons in Indy NXT; he finished third and second in 2024 and 2025 respectively.
Collet completed IndyCar’s tests at Sebring and Phoenix, finishing P13 and P21. However, before the open tests, Collet shared his excitement for the 2026 IndyCar season during IndyCar’s Content Days with Pit Debrief and other media outlets.
When asked how much he looks forward to the season, Caio Collet answered, “Yeah, a lot. I think it’s a dream come true to be in IndyCar. I think definitely spending all those years on championships in Europe and also coming here to the U.S. but now in such a competitive championship like IndyCar is a dream come true, what every driver wants to achieve, so definitely really happy to be here, and also a bit anxious to start the season.”
Shifting from Indy NXT to IndyCar
The 23-year-old is entering his first IndyCar season after fighting hard in Indy NXT. After taking Indy NXT’s Rookie of the Year in 2024 and being in contention for the championship in 2025, he is ready to take the next step in IndyCar.
When asked about preparing for IndyCar after Indy NXT, Collet shared, “Yeah, I think for sure it’s a lot more preparation when you come to a race weekend in terms of strategy, in terms of planning the weekend. I think in Indy NXT was very much FP1, FP2 qualifying, race and it’s not like you need to do a lot of strategy on that.”
Even after his successful Indy NXT career, Collet still has much to learn when competing in a more complex championship like IndyCar. The Brazilian driver hopes to learn from his team and avoid mistakes.
“I think IndyCar is a lot more complex on that side. So for sure trying to learn a little bit from the team, watching previous races, what they did right, what they did wrong, and I think the team has a lot of data, a lot of experience, a lot of good guys behind to help me with that, but also I think when I come to the race weekend, I need to be a bit ready, and decision making will be something that I need to learn quickly, especially on race day with strategy and so on. Hopefully something that I will learn quickly and not make a lot of mistakes.”
Collet’s mindset for Rookie of the Year
Collet is entering his IndyCar rookie season alongside 2025 Indy NXT champion Dennis Hauger, and former F1 + WEC driver Mick Schumacher, all vying for Rookie of the Year in 2026.
The Brazilian driver is ready to fight, noting needing “consistency” to fight for the Rookie of the Year title. With competition from Hauger in Indy NXT and Schumacher’s experience, Collet shared that the rookie fight “will be a nice battle between the three of us”.
Nonetheless, he hopes he comes “out on top.”
“Definitely consistency. It’s what you need to win any championship or especially the rookie championship. I think the level this year is quite high. Dennis is someone that I’ve been racing since 2016 in go-karts, so I know him quite well, and obviously last year we had a pretty good battle all season long and have a lot of respect for each other.
“Mick for sure is a driver that has a lot of experience and is very good and talented, so I think this year will be a nice battle between the three of us. Hopefully we can come out on top.”
Bringing in international IndyCar fans
With drivers entering IndyCar from Formula 1 and its feeder series, more international fans are tuning into IndyCar. Especially with IndyCar airing in Caio Collet’s home country, Brazil, the driver thinks “it will help grow the sport in South America.”
“Yeah, I think that was something that also helped the deal being done. Also television in Brazil, I think you guys know Band, they are coming back to broadcast IndyCar. I think they were previously doing Formula 1 and now they are doing IndyCar like back in the day, I think. 10 years ago they always did that. It’s such a nice thing, I think, to have IndyCar on open TV in Brazil, and I think it will help grow the sport in South America, Brazil especially, and I think it will be good regarding my sponsors and good for everyone.”
