Speculation has turned into reality. Prema Racing has confirmed they will be joining the IndyCar grid from 2025 onwards.
The team founded in Italy over 40 years ago will have a base in Indiana as they expand their company to the other side of the Atlantic ocean. Chevrolet will supply them with their engines as the hybrids are due to come into place during the middle of the current season.
Their track record in the lower categories in Europe speaks for itself. In Formula 2, they have won championships with Charles Leclerc, Mick Schumacher and Oscar Piastri in recent years. The biggest stars coming through the junior formulas tend to end up in Prema cars as they look to make it to F1.
Current F1 drivers Zhou Guanyu, Pierre Gasly and Lance Stroll have also won championships with them. That means a quarter of the 2024 F1 grid has won a championship with Prema.
Chip Ganassi Racing’s Marcus Armstrong and MSR’s Felix Rosenqvist also took titles with the team during their rise through the junior categories in Europe.
With former Prema driver Callum Ilott currently without a full-time seat in IndyCar following his departure from Juncos at the end of 2023, there will be plenty of speculation as to who fills their two seats next year.
Rene Rosin – Team Principal, PREMA Racing
“Today’s announcement marks a pivotal moment in the history of PREMA Racing. Making the step to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and competing in the world-famous Indianapolis 500, is a dream coming true for our family and everyone involved in our business. We have tremendous respect for INDYCAR, its unique challenges and sensational history, and we look forward to being part of it. “While competing in INDYCAR will not be easy, we are determined to put in our best effort, learn as quickly as possible and become leading contenders right from the start. The desire to fight for victory is our driving force, and the thoroughness of the challenge will give us even more motivation to succeed.
“This new chapter will also be beneficial for PREMA Racing and its people, producing amazing learning opportunities and know-how transfer. We want to thank INDYCAR for the warm welcome, and Chevrolet for supporting this project. We cannot wait to start operating in our new Indiana shop and get on track as soon as possible.”
Jay Frye – President, INDYCAR
“PREMA Racing, with their global reach and extraordinary presence in open-wheel racing, will be a great addition to our growing and highly competitive paddock. We look forward to seeing Rene and PREMA on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES grid in 2025.”
Mark Stielow – Director of Motorsports Competition, General Motors
“Chevrolet is pleased to welcome Rene Rosin and PREMA Racing to our 2025 NTT INDYCAR Series roster. PREMA brings global success to Team Chevy and will be a positive addition to our current race and championship winning teams and drivers. We look forward to working with the team and cooperatively building a race and championship winning organization.”