PREMA’s Indycar team launch on Friday made a strong statement as to the team’s serious intent to compete in IndyCar. The event was a splashy affair, hosted by motorsport commentator Will Buxton, who introduced team owner Rene Rosin, Penske Entertainment CEO Mark Miles. PREMA IndyCar director Piers Phillips. and PREMA’s drivers, Callum Ilott and Robert Shwartzman. Shwartzman will be the first Israeli born driver in the series.

If you missed it, here is the link to the YouTube event. Warning- there is a 15-minute countdown at the beginning. You’ll want to fast forward through.

Romain Grosjean has signed as a reserve driver for the team, and Ryan Briscoe will take on an advisory role. The team has also added engineer Michael Cannon. All in all, the new entry to the series is beginning with quite a solid supporting lineup.

PREMA faces many obstacles in his inaugural IndyCar season, which I will discuss at a later date. Friday was a day for celebration and optimism as the American open wheel series welcomes a new membr.

The car will carry the colors of the Italian flag. I like the color scheme.

Ilott will drive car 90, and Shwartzman will be the pilot of car 83. Thye numbers reflect significant dates in the history of the team. The team began in 1983. 1990 saw PREMA’s first championship.

Friday’s program was very well done, and I would like to see other IndyCar teams do a similar season kickoff. It’s a great way to have a day of publicity for each team. It would be a boost for the smaller teams who don’t get much attention once the racing starts.