Photo: Joe Skibinski
AJ Foyt Racing’s line-up for 2026 IndyCar season has been completed by signing Indy Nxt runner-up Caio Collet.
The Brazilian has spent the last two seasons in Indy Nxt with HMD Motorsports, which will “enter a strategic alliance” with Foyt to support its return into IndyCar’s primary feeder series next year.
As a rookie, Collet claimed one victory, five other podiums, one pole and came third in the standings. This year he had three wins, six other podiums and three poles.
“I’m very happy to join AJ Foyt Racing in IndyCar and thankful to Larry [Foyt, team president] for trusting my skills and giving me this fantastic opportunity,” said Collet.
“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.”
The 23-year-old already has top-level single-seater experience, having raced for Nissan in Formula E’s Portland E-Prix last year after being called up from his reserve driver position.
He made his IndyCar test debut with Foyt last month at Mid-Ohio, and at the time said “you have to prove you are ready” to race at American single-seaters’ top level and “today, I think we kind of showed that” while leaving the track with “a lot to work on, a lot to improve”.
Collet spent most of his car racing career in Europe, winning the 2018 French Formula 4 title, being 2020 Formula Renault Eurocup runner-up then winning three races across three seasons in the FIA Formula 3 Championship. From 2019 to 2022 he was a junior driver of the Alpine Formula 1 team.
“Caio is a welcome addition to AJ Foyt Racing,” commented Larry Foyt. “He has shown great potential in Indy Nxt 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.”
Combitrans Amazonia is a Brazilian logistics corporation whose backing has helped Collet beat several other drivers to an IndyCar seat that several drivers were eyeing up.
After losing out on the Indy Nxt title to Dennis Hauger, Collet will continue battling with him in IndyCar since he is stepping up with Dale Coyne Racing.