The 2026 IndyCar season unofficially started this week with content days, as they offer an early look into what lies ahead. A. J. Foyt Racing drivers Santino Ferrucci and Caio Collet, and Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Rinus Veekay and Sting Ray Robb each outlined their perspectives on the team’s progress and their expectations heading into the new campaign.
Santino Ferrucci
Heading into 2026, Santino Ferrucci believes A. J. Foyt Racing is in the strongest position it has been in since his arrival. “Very much looking forward to working with them,” Ferrucci stated. Further explaining, “We’re building something consistent, something that is competitive.”
Stability has also been reinforced by a full-season partnership with Homes For Our Troops. Ferrucci highlighting in conversation the benefits of a settled structure like this both on and off track. More about his fourth year with A. J. Foyt Racing and his season ambitions is available to read here.
Caio Collet
For Caio Collet, 2026 marks the realisation of a long-term goal as he makes his IndyCar debut with A. J. Foyt Racing. The Brazilian called the opportunity a “dream come true” after years competing in Europe and the U.S. “IndyCar is a lot more complex,” Collet explains. “Decision-making is something I need to learn quickly. Hopefully I can learn fast and not make a lot of mistakes.”
He plans to lean on the team’s experience and his technical partnership with Team Penske while learning from teammate Santino Ferrucci. “On ovals he’s one of the best guys on the grid. I’m in a really good position next to him, and I think I can learn a lot.”
Collet also hopes to push on road and street circuits, with Rookie of the Year firmly on his radar. “Definitely consistency,” he said. “It’s what you need to win any championship, especially the rookie championship.” Looking ahead to the Indianapolis 500, Collet voiced, “It feels not real that I will be part of this race in May. I’m just really happy to be here.”
Rinus VeeKay
Rinus VeeKay enters 2026 with renewed optimism after joining Juncos Hollinger Racing. He explains how beneficial it’s going to be to “have almost a full off-season to work with the team and get to know everybody and get to work with the engineers before we actually turn a lap.” Now in his seventh year in IndyCar, Veekay sees the season as a chance to take on a leadership role while helping the team reach the front. “I want to bring consistency to JHR,” he stated. “They’ve shown patience on ovals last season. I think I can tie those together, and we can create a frontrunning package for 2026.”
The Dutch driver, now back with a Chevy power unit, is confident that the combination of experience, preparation, and teamwork can push him into the top 10 in the championship. “Getting consistently in the top five is a priority,” he said. “At least five or six top 5s are going to be necessary to comfortably be in that top 10.”
Veekay enters his seventh IndyCar season with a mature mindset. “I’ve grown a lot,” he said.“Strategy-wise, I’ve really gotten a lot smarter in the car… I’ve created this mindset that extracts everything out of myself and the team at all times.” Looking ahead, he’s excited for the season opener at St. Pete and the Phoenix oval, a track that has historically played to JHR’s strengths. “A good car is the most important on the short oval,”he remarked. “I feel like we are ready for our first days on track. I already feel like I’ve been at this team for a while.”
Sting Ray Robb
Sting Ray Robb returns to Juncos Hollinger Racing for a second season with the team, this time alongside new teammate Rinus VeeKay. He highlighted how important teammate relationships are: “We’ve been doing some extracurricular (outside of the racetrack) activities to try and start building that relationship.” Robb spoke at length about the value of continuity, both in personnel and preparation. As well as the work the American has done over the winter to better understand his driving style and address areas of weakness.
With a strong focus on consistency rather than headline results, Robb believes the foundations are in place for progress in 2026. The full conversation The Girls Who – Motorsport had with him, including detailed insight into his off-season development, mindset and expectations for the year ahead, can be read in full here.
With stability, preparation, and fresh talent on the grid, all four drivers are set to push their teams toward the front in 2026. From rookie milestones to championship ambitions, each driver enters the season focused on consistency, growth, and results. If their off-season work pays off, fans can expect a competitive IndyCar year.
See more articles on drivers’ goals and teams’ outlooks for the 2026 IndyCar season here.