PREMA Racing, a celebrated name in European junior open-wheel racing, has been making waves in its rookie IndyCar Series campaign in 2025. The team’s highlight reel has grown impressively in recent months, marked notably by a surprise pole position at the Indianapolis 500 with Robert Shwartzman—a stunning achievement for a newcomer to America’s fastest and most demanding oval event.
Since its debut in IndyCar this season, PREMA Racing has been learning fast. While their early races didn’t see standout finishes—both Shwartzman and teammate Callum Ilott faced challenges, with no finishes better than 18th and qualifying positions outside the top 16—things took a dramatic turn at the Indy 500. Shwartzman’s pole position there was unexpected but underscored PREMA’s meticulous preparation and technical growth, aided by partnerships such as with IDRA Group and key personnel including SpaceX-experienced engineer Eric Leichtle.
Callum Ilott has also made valuable strides, scoring several top-10 finishes in recent races that demonstrate the team’s increasing competitiveness on a variety of circuits beyond ovals. PREMA’s approach combines their solid foundation in European formula racing with rapid adaptation to IndyCar’s unique demands, including mastering oval setups and race strategy.
PREMA Racing’s path hasn’t been without hurdles. Their first day of Indianapolis 500 practice was marred by delays and limited running laps due to small but critical last-minute prep issues. The team entered the oval scene without the usual technical support from established American teams, and lost a prized IndyCar engineer just before the season start. Yet, their resilience shone through as they turned challenges into learning opportunities.
Aside from on-track performance, PREMA’s presence is strengthening with key sponsorship deals and technical collaborations that provide vital resources in the competitive IndyCar environment. The partnership with IDRA Group, an Italian die-casting innovator with a strong US presence, symbolizes PREMA’s ambition to bridge European engineering excellence with American oval racing heritage.
Looking ahead, PREMA Racing aims to build on its rookie achievements: deepening technical expertise, improving race-day consistency, and contending regularly for strong finishes. The team’s journey from European junior dominance to American oval contender epitomizes the blend of tradition and innovation, ambition, and adaptability.
With Robert Shwartzman and Callum Ilott gaining confidence and experience, PREMA looks well-positioned to evolve from a promising newcomer to a mainstay in the dynamic world of IndyCar—ready to challenge established teams and surprise fans with their tenacity and talent in the seasons to come. Their rookie campaign may have had a rocky start, but the team's recent strides tell a story of growing potential and exciting promise.
