IndyCar rookie Caio Collet returns to Laguna Seca this weekend for the Mission Foods Grand Prix, seeking a measure of redemption after a tumultuous debut season with A.J. Foyt Racing. The 24-year-old Brazilian driver faced a difficult transition to the NTT IndyCar Series, battling a sometimes-ill-handling car and accumulating grid penalties throughout the year. With the championship battle already decided, attention shifts to the season finale at the 11-turn, 2.238-mile WeatherTech Raceway in Monterey, California, where Collet hopes to capitalize on his familiarity with the track.
Speed on the Corkscrew
Collet enters the weekend with a distinct advantage: he won both Indy NXT races from the pole position here last year for HMD Motorsports. That prior success provides a rare bright spot in an otherwise challenging rookie campaign. His teammate, Santino Ferrucci, described the course as “very technical” due to its elevation changes and the famous “Corkscrew” turn, a section of the track that will be renamed this weekend in honor of the late Alex Zanardi. Collet participated in a summer test on the surface, an experience he described as valuable preparation.
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“Having the test here earlier this summer was really valuable,” Collet said. “Hopefully we can use everything we learned at the test and have a strong weekend.” He emphasized a willingness to be aggressive in the final race of the season. “I’ll definitely attack,” he said. “It’s the last race of the season. The team deserves to finish the season on a high note. I will try to take everything I’ve learned this year into the final weekend and fight for a strong result.”
While Collet focuses on personal performance, he acknowledges the need to adapt to the high speed of IndyCar. He identified patience and adaptability as the key lessons of his rookie year. “In IndyCar, things can change very quickly,” he said. “You have to be able to adapt to different tracks, conditions, and situations. Also learned that you have to be patient and trust the process.” He will face competition for the Rookie of the Year title from Dale Coyne Racing’s Dennis Hauger and Rahal Letterman Lanigan’s Mick Schumacher.
Lundgaard’s Final Stand
Another driver under the microscope this weekend is Christian Lundgaard, who will make his final start with Arrow McLaren as the team prepares to welcome Scott Dixon and Felix Rosenqvist. Lacking a confirmed landing spot for 2027, Lundgaard enters the finale with significant momentum. He took over second place in the standings after the second Milwaukee race, holding a two-point edge over Kyle Kirkwood and a four-point lead over teammate Pato O’Ward.
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For Lundgaard, the primary objective is to maintain his position in the standings. After the first Milwaukee race, he stated his intention to move up: “Kyle Kirkwood is what we’re aiming at. We got some points on him today.” He succeeded in that goal by the time the second race concluded. The weekend schedule includes practice sessions on Friday and Saturday, with qualifying set for Saturday afternoon and the race broadcast live on FOX on Sunday.
The team’s preparation extends to the broader context of the series, where drivers often carry the weight of a season into the final race. Collet’s aggressive approach contrasts with the methodical nature of championship battles, where every point counts. While Lundgaard battles for position, the pressure mounts for both drivers to deliver their best performances. Collet hopes his familiarity with the circuit will provide an edge. Lundgaard relies on his consistency to secure his future. The stakes are high for both men as they approach the checkered flag.
