IndyCar news: Caio Collet will drive in IndyCar in 2026 with AJ Foyt Racing
AJ Foyt Racing have signed a contract with the Brazilian driver Caio Collet, promoting him up to IndyCar for 2026.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Ayla Vaughan explores Collet’s past performances and future as a driver in IndyCar.
Details of the new contract
AJ Foyt Racing announced on Thursday, November 6 that Caio Collet will move up to IndyCar in 2026 with the team.
Collet will drive in the No. 4 Chevrolet alongside Santino Ferrucci who has gotten three podiums and one pole in his eight years of driving in IndyCar.
The Brazilian will hope to beat or match his American team-mate to prove to the team why they chose to sign him in the big leagues.
Nonetheless, Collet will no doubt be eager to start this new chapter of his career by racing full time in IndyCar in 2026.
The 23-year-old driver told IndyCar that:
"I’m very happy to join AJ Foyt Racing in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and thankful to Larry (Foyt, team president) for trusting my skills and giving me this fantastic opportunity.
“It is a dream come true after years of hard work in developing series since my early go-karting experiences.
“I’m thankful to all teams and sponsors that helped me through my career, especially Marcelo Camargo from Combitrans Amazonia, that joined our INDY NXT campaign this season and will be with us next year.
“INDYCAR is huge in Brazil, and I’m looking forward to bringing its flag back to a full-time seat in the 2026 season.”
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Collet will join a variety of Brazilian drivers who have competed in IndyCar such as four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves and Indianapolis 500 winners Emerson Fittipaldi, Gil de Ferran and Tony Kanaan.
Larry Foyt, the team president, added:
"Caio is a welcome addition to AJ Foyt Racing.
“He has shown great potential in INDY NXT by Firestone and in the junior formulas in Europe.
“I was impressed with how he adapted to our car at the recent Mid-Ohio test, and I'm very excited to see what he can do in INDYCAR.
“There's no doubt that he will be a strong contender in the battle for Rookie of the Year."
His achievements in the junior categories
Collet finished second in the INDY NXT series in 2025, winning four races and scoring 15 podiums during his two seasons in this development series.
Furthemore, he was Rookie of the Year in 2024 in the INDY NXT series after placing third in the standings, an impressive feat for his first time racing in North America.
Collet arrived in American motorsports via the European ladder series, getting up to Formula 3 but was unable to progress any further.
He won the French F4 Championship in 2018, which is the only major title he has achieved in the junior categories, driving in the field with Arthur Leclerc and Théo Pourchaire.
The Brazilian then competed in Formula Renault Eurocup (2019-20) where he finished runner-up, Toyota Racing Series (2020) and Formula 3 (2021-23) where he got three wins.
Before moving to the US, Collet was the reserve and simulator driver for the Nissan Formula E Team in 2024, also having his debut drive in the 2024 Portland ePrix.
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