As the exciting new IndyCar Season gears up to kickstart with practice sessions at St. Petersburg this Friday, we delve into the intricacies of the 11 participating teams. Our focus today is on one team that has been making waves – PREMA Racing.
In 2024, PREMA made history by becoming the first full-time team to join the IndyCar Series since 2018, following in the footsteps of Carlin Racing. What sets PREMA apart is its unique status as a non-charter entrant, a distinction granted by IndyCar itself. This has allowed PREMA to compete without a charter contract, unlike the 10 other teams and their 25 entries that received such contracts from Penske Entertainment, guaranteeing their participation in every race.
Despite not being eligible for Leader Circles, PREMA has managed to carve out a niche for itself, with IndyCar guaranteeing its participation in all races (excluding the Indy 500) by setting a new race entry limit at 27. This move ensures that PREMA’s two cars compete in every race, despite the lack of charters.
The team’s driving force for the 2025 season comprises rookie Robert Shwartzman at the helm of No. 83 Honda and Callum Ilott, who previously participated in three events for Arrow McLaren in 2024, driving the No. 90 Honda. Behind the scenes, the team is steered by a dedicated crew, including Team Founder Angelo Rosin, Team Owners Deborah Mayer and Rene Rosin, and Team CEO Piers Phillips, among others.
Originating from Italy, PREMA has been instrumental in shaping the careers of numerous drivers who have gone on to make a name for themselves in Formula 1 and other major series. The team’s strength lies in its unique blend of PREMA’s European crew and seasoned IndyCar veterans, including accomplished alumni Callum Ilott and Robert Shwartzman.
Despite facing a few hiccups, such as the departure of Michael Cannon, the team’s head of engineering, due to disagreements and the signing of ex-Juncos Hollinger driver Romain Grosjean as its reserve driver, PREMA has managed to stay on top of its game.
The team’s primary mission for the upcoming season includes honing its skills and showcasing its prowess, especially at the Indy 500. The team’s rich experience within the program and the strategic decision to hire former Team Penske title contender Ryan Briscoe as its Sporting Advisor is expected to yield fruitful results.
PREMA’s debut season promises to be exciting, as the team is expected to perform exceptionally well at most of the events. The team’s drivers, Ilott, and Shwartzman, are also anticipated to shine, with Ilott’s prior IndyCar experience and Shwartzman’s untapped potential making them the ones to watch out for.
The team’s primary goal, as stated by Angelina Ertsou, who runs the team with her partner Rene Rosin, is improvement. The team aims to continuously better its performance throughout the season, irrespective of its starting position.
Ertsou further expressed her satisfaction with the team’s composition, emphasizing the harmonious blend of European backgrounds and IndyCar experience. Despite being a new group, the team has managed to work together successfully, building trust and understanding among its members, which promises a bright future for the team in the upcoming season.
In conclusion, PREMA Racing, while being the newest entrant in the IndyCar Series, is certainly a force to be reckoned with. With its dedicated team, strategic decisions, and the sheer talent of its drivers, PREMA is all set to make its mark in the 2025 IndyCar season.
