by Alex Johnston, Topher Smith & Linus O’Howell
PREMA Racing is a well-known name in many categories, competing around the world but based largely in Europe. However, they’ve decided now is the time to try and crack America, as they announce a two-car Chevrolet-powered entry from the start of the 2025 season.
If early rumours are to be believed, the Italian powerhouse is interested in running a lineup consisting of one driver with experience in IndyCar, and one driver who they have helped develop on the road to Formula 1.
📸 PREMA have helped an incredible number of drivers through the road to F1, including Mick Schumacher(above), and current IndyCar stars Felix Rosenqvist, Marcus Armstrong & Round 1 stand in Callum Ilott.
This opens the door to any number of unlimited contenders for the PREMA team, including former and current alumni of the Italian outfit. In this article, Alex, Topher and Linus have their say on who PREMA could pick!
Alex’s prediction
For my first driver I’m choosing established IndyCar star Alexander Rossi - currently racing for Arrow McLaren. The American provides race winning experience, an eight time IndyCar winner - including the coveted Indy 500(at his first attempt no less).
📸 Rossi’s experience will be a huge selling point to PREMA.
Formerly an F1 driver with Marussia, he brings an abundance of experience, which will be incredible asset to a new team but also to a rookie teammate.
📸 Rossi soaks up the celebrations(and milk) after winning the 100th Indy 500 in 2016.
For my second driver…I can’t see Logan Sargeant racing in F1 in any capacity next year. What I can envisage is PREMA bringing him to complete an all-American line up with Rossi.
📸 Is Sargeant bound for an F1 exit?
Sargeant of course is a former PREMA driver, and came agonisingly close to winning the 2020 F3 title with the team - missing out to Oscar Piastri and Theo Pourchaire by a gap of four points. While his F1 stint hasn’t been largely successful, he’s got real talent and pace. He’d be 24 when the IndyCar season starts, he’s got a long career ahead of him - could he even be an IndyCar great?
📸 Sargeant in PREMA colours. He took two wins and six podiums for the team during the 2020 F3 campaign, where he was teamed up with eventual champion Oscar Piastri and Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti.
Alex’s prediction: Alexander Rossi & Logan Sargeant.
Topher’s prediction
📸 PREMA’s reach in racing goes down as far as karts, up to F2 and soon to be top flight in IndyCar.
I can imagine there will be a fair few drivers out there who would consider it to be a privilege to drive for a team such as PREMA, despite their soon-to-be rookie status within IndyCar. While the team should be an attractive option, it will still be somewhat of a gamble and whoever takes the seat needs to be prepared to do whatever it takes to help the Italian squad transition to the American series.
📸 Dutch driver Rinus VeeKay.
One driver who I believe is in need of something different to help rejuvenate his once-blossoming career is Dutchman Rinus VeeKay, currently racing in IndyCar with Ed Carpenter Racing. Once a dominant junior driver with three top-two championship finishes in three seasons, VeeKay was considered the next big thing in IndyCar but has thus far failed to live up to the hype with a single victory to his name since entering IndyCar in 2020. A move to PREMA could be the tie-up he needs to bring some spice back into his career.
📸 VeeKay on track.
As for his teammate, I don’t think any of PREMA’s drivers from Formula 2 or Formula 3 will have any desire to go to IndyCar, with each of them attached to a Formula 1 team through their respective junior programmes. So for my second choice, I am going to have to agree with Alex’s choice of Logan Sargeant.
📸 The first American point scorer in F1 for 30 years.
One of Sargeant’s best seasons in his junior career was with PREMA in 2020, when he stayed in title contention until the last round in Mugello. Given the American’s former ties to the Italian team, nationality, and probable short shelf-life in F1, IndyCar could be the career move that Sargeant needs to prove his worth to the world.
📸 Sargeant celebrates an F3 win.
Topher’s prediction: Rinus VeeKay & Logan Sargeant
Linus’ prediction
For my experienced driver, I’m going to go with 32-year-old Swedish driver Felix Rosenqvist. Felix is a multiple-time Formula 3 Champion, a Formula E race winner, and a 1-time IndyCar winner also. Rosenqvist currently drives for Meyer Shank Racing, but it’s clear to see that they aren’t exactly the strongest team on the grid. Given this, I don’t feel like it’s too much of a stretch to see Rosenqvist jump ship to a new project.
📸 Rosenqvist is a one time IndyCar race winner and six time podium sitter.
📸 The Swedish driver won the FIA European F3 Championship and Macau Grand Prix with PREMA.
In terms of his rookie teammate, I’m going to say Frederik Vesti. For a 22-year-old, Frederik has some good experience with PREMA, winning the inaugural Formula Regional European Championship with them back in 2019 whilst he also finished just 11 points off the title in FIA Formula 2 last year.
📸 Vesti took six race wins in F2 last year, and is racing in ELMS LMP2 cars this season.
Vesti is clearly a really good talent, and whilst Robert Shwartzman is also a good shout for this position, I have to back the Danish driver!
📸 Shwartzman has raced F3 and F2, as well as testing F1, Formula E and IndyCar on top of racing GT’s and Hypercars - is his versatility what makes him an option for PREMA?
Linus’ prediction: Felix Rosenqvist &
Frederik Vesti
Some interesting choices, we anticipate an exciting debut season for PREMA!
📸 Image credits: Scuderia Ferrari, FIA, NTT IndyCar, Formula Motorsport Limited, Williams Racing, PREMA Racing, McLaren Racing, F1 Academy.
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