Tag: PREMA

The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of

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The smile never left his face during the press conference. He seemed eerily calm considering that he had just rocked the IndyCar world.

Robert Shwartzman reflected on his pole winning run.

“I was just thinking in my dreams fantasizing, How will it feel
to take pole position in Indy 500? How is the vibe? Then I
was, like, Yeah, Robert, get back to reality. You have a
new car, new team, you are a rookie. How can you expect
to be in this position? It’s just in your dreams.
But still I was keeping that tiny dream deep inside like
maybe, maybe.”

It was am improbable result for a driver and team that quite honestly looked lost the first five races of the season and was near the bottom of the speed charts in Tuesday’s opening practice.

Shwartzman first saw the Indianapolis 500 while in Monaco during the F1 weekend.

“I was just as a kid, let’s say, just watching the Formula 1 race, and at the same time it was going the Indy 500 race. So, there was
my friends and sponsors, and they invited me to a yacht,
like the part of Monaco. I was just sitting there. It was no
Formula 1 running. It was actually after the race of
Formula 1. Normally Monaco is quite boring, as we know.
There is not many possibilities of overtaking. It’s more
quallie race for me.
Then we were just sitting there, and on the TV there was
Indy 500 race running there. Honestly I was just looking. It
was so much more exciting. I was just, like, Damn, until
last turn you don’t know who is going to win. I was being
like, Okay, this guy is fast, he’s going to win, and then all of
a sudden, no, he’s getting overtaken and then another guy
and another guy. The rotation is always changing.
That was the first member, Damn, this is amazing. This is
proper battle.”

On Shwartzman’s team is chief engineer Eric Leichtle, who was Josef Newgarden’s engineer in 2022, and Ryan Briscoe is his driver coach.

In answer to a question about the situation in Israel, his homeland, Shwartzman called for peace.

“I just want peace in the world. I want people to be good, and I don’t want the separation of countries saying this is bad country, this is
good country. There is no bad or good. We’re all human
beings. We just have to support each other and respect
each other.”

Any concerns I had about a rookie leading the field to green melted away with that statement. Shwartzman will be fine, and he has another dream to fulfill.

I will have a full qualification wrap up later today.

Shwartzman on Pole; Penske Disqualified

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I have witnessed many wild last days of qualifying, and May 18, 2025, will go down as one of the wildest. A rookie on pole for the first time in 42 years, a top team failing to get on track to try for the pole, a top contender crashing in practice made for a day of swirling emotions.

Robert Shwartzman, a rookie driver on a rookie team, will lead the field to the green flag next Sunday. He struggled to find speed the first three days of practice and was on most people’s list to be the bumped car.

The day began with Scott McLaughlin crashing heavily in turn two. The impact tore the left rear wheel off of the car and gouged the track. McLaughlin was cleared to drive, but the car would not be ready in time. to qualify.

Penske’s woes were not over. Josef Newgarden’s car failed tech and was excluded from qualifying. Will Power’s car was also withdrawn for the same issue. The teams had violated a rule by modifying the attenuator. They had filled in the seams. Team Penske will start in the fourth row. McLaughlin will start10th, Newgarden 11th, and Power 12th.

Shwartzman’s run to the fast 12, then the Fast Six, is an incredible tale. At the media availability after qualifying, Shwartzman said he dreamed of winning the pole, but then told himself to “get back to reality.”

Iwill have more on him tomorrow in my Qualifications wrap up. Thanks for following along this weekend.

Thermal was a ‘Fine’ Race After All

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Following last Sunday’s IndyCar race at the Thermal Club, IndyCar issued penalties and fines to two teams.

Colton Herta’s number 26 entry failed post race tech inspection when officials found one of the two required anti intrusion plates was not installed. Andretti was fined $25,000 and lost 10 entrant points. Hertta keeps his fourth place finish and his driver points.

The number 83 of Robert Shwartzman received a penalty for use of an unapproved part stemming from the fire in his car during Friday’s practice’

PREMA was fined $25,000 and lost 10 entrant points.

Notes

The Pit Window will be returning to summer headquarters next week, so unless Liberty Media buys the series or IMS I won’t be posting until next Saturday.

I’m very excited to get a look at the renovated Speedway Museum, but that may have to wait until after Long Beach.

Cannon Leaves PREMA

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Michael Cannon has resigned from PREMA before the team has its first test. Cannon, who joined PREMA as head of engineering and was introduced at the team’s reveal presentation, issued a statement explaining his reasons.

It appears PREMA is making the same mistake other European teams make when they attempt to enter the series. They feel that they have all the answers and ignore advice from people who have a lot of experience in IndyCar. This arrogance has not worked out well in the past.

I thought PREMA was far ahead of Carlin, who came into the series without much ehlp and struggled mightily.

PREMA’s premiere presentation gave me hope that this was a European team approaching IndyCar the right way with an all star cast of IndyCar support veterans. While they still have Piers Phillips and Ryan Briscoe, Michael Cannon would have helped this team tremendously.

I hope Cannon can find another spot in the series. He is too good to not be on someone’s team.

PREMA Launch- a New Standard for Team Launches?

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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.

Shwartzman Returns to PREMA for IndyCar Debut

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From PREMA:

PREMA Racing is thrilled to announce that Robert Shwartzman will be joining the team for the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Reuniting with the PREMA family after a successful stint in Endurance racing, the 25-year-old Israeli will return to single-seaters, completing the team’s Chevrolet-powered effort for the upcoming season.
 
Shwartzman joined PREMA for the first time in 2018, claiming third place in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship and ending up as the top rookie of that year, to which he added the Toyota Racing Series title. In 2019, he cruised to the inaugural FIA Formula 3 Championship title of the new era, kicking off PREMA’s dominant form in the series.
 
He stayed with the team for his jump to the FIA Formula 2 Championship, where he achieved six wins and 14 podium finishes in two seasons, becoming vice-champion in 2021. He made his Formula 1 testing debut in 2020 with Scuderia Ferrari, continuing to test with the Italian squad and Haas F1 Team the following year.
 
In 2022, he was appointed as a test driver by Scuderia Ferrari and made several Formula 1 testing and free practice appearances, while also performing simulator duties. In 2023, after joining the Italian manufacturer’s F1 reserve driver pool, he entered the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, securing one win. For 2024, he was confirmed as a reserve driver in Formula 1, and made his prototype racing debut, driving a Ferrari 499P in the FIA World Endurance Championship. After taking part in his maiden Le Mans 24 Hours, he delivered a memorable win at the Lone Star Le Mans in Austin.
 
Coming back to PREMA Racing, he will be joining forces with fellow alumni Callum Ilott for the team’s ground-breaking INDYCAR debut. While facing new challenges, including racing on ovals, his raw speed, experience, and insight into the team’s work ethic and method will make him a brilliant asset for the coming season and beyond.

Rene Rosin – Team Owner, PREMA Racing
“We are extremely delighted to welcome Robert back to the PREMA family. We have had some exceptional seasons together, winning a lot of races and the 2019 FIA F3 title, and we also thoroughly enjoyed working with him. He is an extremely talented driver and I think that, by working together, we will be able to overcome the steep learning curve that lies ahead of us. I cannot wait to see him and Callum compete under the PREMA banner again.”

Piers Phillips – CEO, PREMA Racing INDYCAR
“Having completed our line-up is a major step forward as our operation continues to prepare for its first INDYCAR season. Robert has a very impressive resume and has been competitive everywhere he went, from single-seaters to GT and prototypes. We think his skills and versatility will help him considerably, and will also help our team to learn faster and be more efficient. We look forward to getting the work started with Robert, Callum and Chevrolet as soon as possible.”

Robert Shwartzman
“I’m definitely very very excited to be back at PREMA to start a new adventure in INDYCAR. Everything will be new to us and there will be many challenges, but it will also be a lot of fun and a lot of work at the same time. I think a very successful future lies ahead for us. INDYCAR is a very competitive series, with so many strong drivers, and I’m looking forward to the racing, as it looks really cool. I have never driven on ovals and to master them, it will be a completely new challenge. However, with PREMA we achieved a lot in the past, and I think that my F1 and Endurance experience will be helpful to make us evolve fast and get up to speed quickly.”

PREMA Signs Ilott

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This announcement was long suspected, now it’s official. Great to have Ilott back in the series full time.

from PREMA:

PREMA Racing announces that Callum Ilott will join the team’s brand-new NTT INDYCAR SERIES operation for its 2025 debut in the series.
 
The 25-year-old British, a veteran of 38 INDYCAR starts and two top-5 finishes, is no stranger to the PREMA family. Ilott joined the team for the first time in 2017, delivering six wins and 11 podium finishes in the Formula 3 European Championship. He is now set for a welcomed return to the team, and will be driving a Chevrolet-powered Dallara for PREMA’s highly-anticipated American effort.
 
One of the most brilliant kart racers of his generation, Ilott later moved to the GP3 Series in 2018, and eventually made his FIA Formula 2 debut in 2019. In the following season, he was a runner-up in the F1 feeder series, before moving to Endurance racing and eventually to INDYCAR in 2021. Earlier this year, he claimed his maiden FIA WEC Hypercar win in the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.
 
Ilott also had the chance to make multiple Formula 1 outings in testing and practice between 2019 and 2021. He took part in two Free Practice sessions with Alfa Romeo Racing and also served as a Scuderia Ferrari Test Driver in 2021.
 
He has now the chance to be part of a new chapter in the history of PREMA in one of the world’s most competitive racing series.

René Rosin – Team Owner, PREMA Racing
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Callum back with us for this new chapter of our history. We had a great time working with him in Formula 3, and we always kept an eye on him after that. He proved to be a great fit for us in the past, and I think he will feel like picking up something he had left off. He proved his outstanding speed skills everywhere he competed. In addition, his prior IndyCar experience will be an invaluable asset. Now that the opportunity to get back together has come, we are determined to make the most out of it.

Piers Phillips – CEO, PREMA Racing INDYCAR
“We are really looking forward to welcoming Callum to our INDYCAR team. His previous experiences in the series, combined with those with PREMA, will make him a key asset as we try to merge the team’s European heritage with what it will be able to learn in the US. We know Callum as a very talented driver, but we can also see how his professionalism has matured in the series. The information and feedback he will be able to share will be extremely important, as much as his impressive racing skills.”

Callum Ilott
“It’s an incredible opportunity to experience INDYCAR with PREMA, their first steps in the series and in the US. What an amazing chance. I love the racing, I love these cars and I love the team, so it’s great to be back to what they call the Italian family home. It’s going to be something special to build off, a lot of hard work but I’m excited to join the team and see what we can do together.”