AVL RACETECH Named Official Simulation Partner for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
AVL RACETECH will supply Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with its AVL VSM™ RACE simulation platform as the INDYCAR season opener approaches this weekend.
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What Happened
AVL RACETECH, based in Graz, Austria, has announced a technical partnership with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL), becoming the team's Official Dynamic Vehicle Simulation Partner in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The collaboration focuses on advanced vehicle dynamics simulation and performance analysis, using AVL's VSM™ RACE platform for virtual evaluation of setups and data-driven optimization. AVL will provide dedicated engineering expertise and integrated cloud computing to complete extensive simulation runs within tight timeframes, crucial in a series where track testing is highly restricted. AVL RACETECH, active in racing for over 20 years, works in engineering, testing, simulation, and manufacturing for series from Formula 1 to MotoGP.
RLL, based in Zionsville, Indiana, is co-owned by Bobby Rahal, David Letterman, and Mike Lanigan and enters its 35th year of competition in 2026. The team has recorded 30 INDYCAR victories, 38 pole positions, 112 podium finishes, and the 1992 series championship. For the 2026 season, former Formula One driver Mick Schumacher will race for RLL after completing initial test sessions, preparing for his first full INDYCAR campaign as the season opener takes place this weekend.
Won the INDYCAR series championship.
Buddy Rice won the Indianapolis 500 from pole.
Won the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Takuma Sato won the Indianapolis 500 and the team won the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Mick Schumacher races in INDYCAR; team enters 35th season.
RLL also boasts a long sports car history. As BMW Team RLL, it raced in the American Le Mans Series from 2009 to 2013, winning GT manufacturer and team titles in 2010 and sweeping all three GT titles in 2011, then finishing second in the team championship and third in the manufacturer championship in 2012, and second in all three championships in 2013. From 2014 to 2021 the team ran a two-car IMSA GTLM program, then competed in GTD PRO in 2022 while preparing a GTP program for 2023. Its IMSA record includes 25 wins, 34 poles, and 107 podiums before the 2025 season, with second-place finishes in the manufacturer, team, and driver championships in 2015 and 2017, plus Rolex 24 at Daytona victories in 2019 and 2020 and the 2020 Michelin North American Endurance Championship. In 2026, the team will race in IMSA's GTD PRO class with a one-car entry as RLL Team McLaren.
“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,”
“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.”
“RLL represents decades of experience and success in North American open-wheel racing. Expanding our involvement in the INDYCAR SERIES reflects the strategic relevance of this championship for AVL RACETECH.”
Why this matters
INDYCAR teams face strict limits on on-track testing and a wide variety of circuit types, making simulation essential for improving performance. The partnership gives RLL, which fields former Formula One driver Mick Schumacher in 2026, a virtual development environment to evaluate car setups and turn data into speed. For a team entering its 35th season, the added simulation capability could sharpen its race-day competitiveness.
Terms in This Story
- AVL VSM™ RACE
- AVL's vehicle simulation platform used by motorsport teams to test car setups virtually.
- vehicle dynamics simulation
- The use of computer models to predict how a vehicle moves and handles under different conditions, allowing teams to evaluate setups without on-track testing.
- INDYCAR SERIES
- Top-level American open-wheel racing series featuring a mix of road courses, street circuits, and ovals.
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