PREMA Racing made headlines in 2025 when it stormed into the American IndyCar scene, debuting with new Chevrolet-powered cars, a crew of proven European racing talent, and a gleaming, purpose-built facility in central Indiana. After years of success in Formula 2 and sportscar racing, the Italian squad set bold ambitions in the States—aiming to match the best teams and raise the bar for rookies.
The team’s first season was anything but quiet. Rookie Robert Shwartzman shocked the paddock by clinching pole at the Indianapolis 500, while Callum Ilott has consistently kept PREMA visible with a series of top-ten finishes. PREMA’s approach—mixing racing know-how with serious investment—quickly earned respect, making it one of the most exciting new entries in IndyCar’s recent history.
But all that early promise comes with serious costs. Rumors of financial strain have followed PREMA since the May run-up to the Indy 500, and with founder Deborah Mayer’s commitment as financier in question, the team is actively searching for new funding or strategic partners. Their situation is far from unique; other established squads like Ed Carpenter Racing and Juncos Hollinger Racing have also sought fresh capital to stay competitive.
Despite operating out of a state-of-the-art shop—“PREMA’s little piece of Italy in Fishers, Indiana”—the task of building a winning team from scratch in a fiercely competitive environment is expensive. With more than $40 million reportedly invested just to launch, the pressure is now on to secure the resources required for next season and beyond.
The underlying message: even championship pedigree and early flashes of glory aren’t enough without business stability in top-line racing. PREMA’s story is a reminder that passion, vision, and stunning first-year results need partners and backing to become a sustained American success.
PREMA Racing’s future in IndyCar now hangs on its ability to attract new investment, where the difference between fading fast and building a legacy depends on both corporate support and racing results. For fans and rivals, it’s a storyline packed with excitement—and high stakes for 2026.