Entry into IndyCar in 2025, made official this week, allows Prema to complete a project that began a long time ago: offering its drivers a path that starts from karting and leads to professionalism.
Over time, the great ambassadors of Prema have always been the 'ex', i.e. drivers who, after completing their journey in the preparatory formulas with the Italian team, were clamoring for a program that would allow them to continue racing while remaining within the team.
“They have always encouraged us to do something more – recalled the CEO of the Prema group, René Rosin – and now we will be able to offer this possibility”.
The program is taking shape in a location not far from the Indianapolis circuit, the agreement has been reached with Chevrolet for the supply of the engines, as well as the hiring of Piers Phillips as CEO of Prema Racing Indycar, at the helm for four seasons of the Rahal Letterman Racing team.
Piers Phillips, Rene Rosin, PREMA Racing, and Jay Frye
Photo by: James Black
Rosin will shuttle between the European programs and the new American challenge, and on the occasion of the team's presentation, which took place on the Indianapolis circuit together with the IndyCar manager, Jay Frye, he explained how and why Prema decided to cross the ocean at forty years since the team was founded.
What convinced you to take this step?
“Having the chance to compete in the United States, in the biggest championship, is something we are really proud of. We always try to find new challenges, new opportunities for growth, not only to offer our drivers but also to mechanics and engineers. Having the opportunity to grow within our structure is something that has always distinguished us.”
Among the drivers present in Indycar today there are several ex-Prema, Ericsson, Rosenqvist and Ilott. Did you talk to any of them before the program launched?
“We started talking to IndyCar in the last six, seven months, but the idea of expanding into the United States started floating around in our heads two or three years ago. We are in excellent contact with all the drivers you mentioned, and I confirm that they have said to us several times: 'why don't you come here to IndyCar?'. And finally here we are.”
There are rumors according to which you are aiming for an experienced driver to pair up with a young person. Is it really like this?
“The prospect of teaming up a driver with a good amount of experience with a rookie is certainly the most attractive. In Prema's philosophy there has always been the desire to guide quality young people making their debut in new championships, this aspect doesn't scare us, we don't think it's madness to start our adventure with two debutants. We are evaluating all the opportunities, after having formalized our entry into the category most of our time will be dedicated to structuring the team in the best possible way. I can say that there will be some news soon.”
Piers Phillips and Rene Rosin, PREMA Racing
Photo by: James Black
What convinced you to want to start this project right now?
“We wanted to get out of Europe, we have been present in every category in the panorama of single-seater series with the exception of Formula 1, today we have programs ranging from karting to Formula 2. Then we have a technical partnership in the World Endurance Championship, but we were still looking something new to broaden the boundaries of our group. Why in '25? When Prema in the past decided to try its hand at a new championship it never did so to be a number, the objective has always been to be protagonists. This means having to be ready before taking a step, and 2025 is the right time for us in terms of structure and resources to start a new adventure here in the United States.”
How difficult will the debut season be in a completely new scenario?
“It's a great challenge, we are at the highest levels of world motorsport. There will be difficult times in terms of organisation, planning and engineering, but I am convinced that with the right amount of patience and determination we can do it. 2025 will be a year of learning, we are aware of this, we will have to face permanent circuits, city circuits and ovals, but at the same time we can't wait to merge the European mentality with the American one and try to bring some innovations to the context we are about to enter. to enter.”
Is the IndyCar program also thought of as an opportunity to offer young drivers who are already part of Prema?
“It is undoubtedly an important opportunity that we will be able to offer to our drivers. In Formula 1, places are rather limited, and for a good young person who has completed his career in Formula 2, having the opportunity to explore the IndyCar world represents an important and high-quality alternative. It is something that we will be able to offer to our riders to continue their journey from the preparatory categories to professionalism.”
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Prema Racing
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
In the last two years there have been IndyCar teams that have created partnerships with each other with mutual benefits. Is this an aspect that you are considering and that you believe could be useful for your growth in the series?
“We are open to everything, it will certainly be one of those aspects that we will evaluate. We want to enhance our team in the best possible way and there are no preclusions, on the contrary, all possibilities will be analyzed and we will evaluate the best options.”
Will you also consider the possibility of a program in IndyNXT in the medium-term future?
“We have to keep our eyes open and see what the market demands. But at the moment we have enough on the table, the first step is to start and give stability to the IndyCar program, then we will be in a position to evaluate other programs.”
Does your role within the IndyCar project involve presence on the track or will you remain more focused on the European front?
“Obviously we have to continue to compete and win on the European side. My role will evolve in order to keep both fronts, the European and the US, under greater control. In our group we have a manager for each program, a point person who takes care of the daily management, a model that we will also have in IndyCar. I will be present at the most important events, but the objective of my role is to ensure that Prema programs have everything they need to perform well”.
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