AVL RACETECH Expands INDYCAR Footprint with Technical Partnership with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

Graz, Austria / Zionsville, USA, March 2026 – AVL RACETECH continues to broaden its involvement in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, announcing a technical partnership with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL). As part of this agreement, AVL RACETECH will assume the role of Official Dynamic Vehicle Simulation Partner to the team. This reinforces AVL RACETECH’s growing presence within the championship.

The partnership between AVL RACETECH and RLL focuses on advanced vehicle dynamics simulation and performance analysis. AVL RACETECH provides the team with a fully dynamic development environment through its AVL VSM™ RACE platform, enabling virtual evaluation of setup configurations and data-driven performance optimization.

Beyond delivering software, AVL supports RLL with dedicated engineering expertise to ensure efficient implementation within the team’s existing development workflow. Integrated cloud computing functionality allows extensive simulation runs to be completed within tight timeframes — an important factor in a championship where track testing is highly restricted and turnaround times between events are short.

Based in Zionsville, Indiana, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing is one of the most established organizations in American open-wheel competition. Co-owned by Bobby Rahal, David Letterman, and Mike Lanigan, the team enters its 35th year of competition in 2026, having recorded 30 INDYCAR victories, 38 pole positions, 112 podium finishes, and the 1992 series championship. RLL has also achieved notable success in international sports car and endurance racing programs.

For the 2026 season, Mick Schumacher will compete for RLL in the INDYCAR SERIES. The former Formula One driver has already completed initial test sessions and is preparing for his first full campaign in American open-wheel racing. With the season opener taking place this weekend, the technical collaboration between RLL and AVL RACETECH begins at one of the most demanding stages in global motorsport.

Todd Malloy, Head of Race Engineering, RLL:
“The INDYCAR SERIES is a unique motorsport formula that covers more track types than any other form of auto racing. INDYCAR DNA includes events at road courses, street courses, superspeedways and short ovals. Aside from the different track layouts and surfaces, this also means vastly different aerodynamic configurations and tire types from event to event. Teams are permitted only minimal test days, with very few sets of tires, so the emphasis to evolve performance across all these unique tracks now lies very heavily in the simulation landscape. AVL is the global leader in the motorsports simulation space, and all of the AVL developers and engineers are racers to their core. They understand the unique requirements and timelines of our form of motorsport, and work closely with RLL engineers to develop the simulation tools needed to continuously improve on track performance. We couldn’t be happier with this new partnership between RLL and AVL!”

Ellen LOHR, Director Motorsport, AVL List GmbH:
“RLL represents decades of experience and success in North American open-wheel racing. Our objective is to contribute measurable performance gains through advanced vehicle dynamics simulation and close technical collaboration. Expanding our involvement in the INDYCAR SERIES reflects the strategic relevance of this championship for AVL RACETECH.”

Michael Peinsitt, Team Leader Race Engineering, AVL List GmbH:
“The diversity of circuit types, strict testing limitations, and intense competition in the INDYCAR SERIES demand highly efficient virtual development processes. Our integrated simulation toolchain enables RLL to evaluate performance concepts with precision and systematically convert data into on-track performance.”

About AVL RACETECH
AVL RACETECH is AVL’s global motorsport expert, active in all technical areas of racing for over 20 years. AVL RACETECH works in engineering, testing, simulation, and manufacturing. As a key supplier to teams in the most prestigious racing series from Formula 1 to Formula E, NASCAR, WEC and MotoGP, AVL RACETECH provides cutting-edge technology and services to the motorsport world.

Visit us on avlracetech.com and on all social media platforms @avlracetech.