Prema Racing, known as the most successful junior single-seater team in recent European motorsport, revealed plans to expand its racing programs into the US open-wheel scene, marking a significant move for the team. The expansion includes entering a two-car team using Chevrolet engines and establishing a new headquarters in Indiana. Piers Phillips, with experience at Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, will lead the operation as IndyCar CEO.
Discussions about entering IndyCar had been ongoing for over two years, according to team principal Rene Rosin. While acknowledging that the rookie season will be a learning curve due to the diverse mix of circuits in IndyCar, Rosin believes the timing is right for Prema to extend its boundaries, especially after venturing into sportscar racing with Iron Lynx in the World Endurance Championship.
Rosin emphasized Prema’s intention to be a protagonist in IndyCar rather than just a participant, with ’24 to ’25 identified as the opportune time for expansion given the team’s existing structures and programs. While specific details such as the location of the US base are still in progress, Rosin anticipates a role shift to oversee operations across both continents, with Phillips managing day-to-day activities in IndyCar.
Phillips expressed confidence in Prema’s ability to be competitive from the outset, citing the team’s strong foundation. He acknowledged the presence of formidable competitors in IndyCar but emphasized Prema’s determination to establish competitiveness from the beginning. However, details about the team’s driver lineup remained undisclosed, with Rosin hinting at a combination of experienced drivers and rookies, leveraging Prema’s expertise in nurturing young talent.
Several Prema graduates, including Marcus Armstrong and Felix Rosenqvist, currently compete in IndyCar, indicating a strong connection between the team and the series. Rosin highlighted Prema’s track record of maximizing results with rookie drivers but also hinted at the possibility of fielding an experienced driver alongside a rookie or even two rookies. The focus for Prema now lies in building the team and its operations to maximize its potential in the competitive environment of IndyCar racing.
