PREMA unveils 2025 IndyCar team - names Grosjean as reserve

©PREMA

PREMA Racing officially launched its highly anticipated NTT IndyCar Series program for the 2025 season with a grand presentation on Friday, January 10, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The event, held at General Motors' Charlotte Technical Center, served as the official unveiling of the team, its drivers, and its Chevrolet-powered entries.

Callum Ilott and IndyCar rookie Robert Shwartzman were introduced as the drivers of the team's No. 83 and No. 90 cars, respectively.

In a further bolstering of its lineup, PREMA also announced the unexpected signing of IndyCar veteran Romain Grosjean as its reserve driver.

Additionally, former IndyCar race winner and Indy 500 poleman Ryan Briscoe has been appointed as the team's sporting advisor.

A New Chapter in PREMA's Journey

Founded in 1983 by Angelo Rosin, PREMA Racing has risen to prominence as a global motorsport powerhouse, producing 80 championship titles and nurturing talents like Jacques Villeneuve, Charles Leclerc, and Oscar Piastri.

However, the decision to venture into IndyCar marks a bold new chapter.

“We were looking for a new challenge,” said PREMA Racing Managing Director Rene Rosin.

“We were always looking for a new adventure for our group.

©PREMA

“The next step was quite natural, to be one of the most competitive and important championships worldwide, the only championship in which you can race on ovals, street courses and road courses.

“It's a challenge that will bring us to another level, grow us to another level, to cross the ocean – and here we are.”

PREMA's INDYCAR debut expands the grid to 11 full-time teams for the 2025 season, the largest since 2018.

Building from Scratch

Establishing an INDYCAR team in less than a year was no small feat. Rosin highlighted the challenge of starting from nothing.

“The biggest challenge has been starting from zero,” he said. “We started a bit less than a year ago with the selection of the factory base.

“From there on, the movement into this new organization, we wanted it to be the right environment, the right blend between the European and American mentality, and always focusing on performance and the results, but keeping a family environment and a patient environment. For us, this is very important.”

An Ambitious Line-up

Ilott has 38 IndyCar starts under his belt, while Shwartzman is a familiar face in the PREMA family, having won the 2019 FIA Formula 3 Championship with the team.

The Israeli-Russian driver, a former member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, expressed his excitement with opening a new chapter in his motorsport career.

“I chose IndyCar for mainly two reasons,” he explained. “One is a team that I have won with and I know them, and so I trust them.

“Second thing is the series that has the best racing at this stage. “I have the fire to bring in and have some more fun.”

©PREMA

And an Experienced Reserve

Ex-F1 driver Romain Grosjean is a surprising but welcome addition to PREMA's roster. The Frenchman unfortunately lost his seat at Juncos Hollinger Racing for 2025.

But the 38-year-old should prove to be a big benefit to the Italian squad thanks to his vast experience from which both Ilott and especially absolute beginner Shwartzman will profit.

Furthermore, Grosjean's journey in the sport as 'the Phoenix' who bounced back from his harrowing Bahrain crash, is nothing less than inspiring.

The 2025 NTT IndyCar season will kick off on March 2 on the streets of St. Petersburg.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.