On April 9, PREMA Racing announced it would be fielding its first-ever IndyCar team, after more than 40 years of dominance in multiple series at the junior level. Team Principal Rene Rosin will be heading up the Italian team’s newest operation, with stateside headquarters in Fishers, Indiana, just outside of Indianapolis.

Prema Racing concept livery (Photo via indycar.com)

His statement confirms that PREMA’s desire to join IndyCar has been long in the works. 

“[This] marks a pivotal moment in the history of PREMA Racing,” PREMA Team Principal Rene Rosin said. “Making the step to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and competing in the world-famous Indianapolis 500 is a dream coming true for our family and everyone involved in our business. We have tremendous respect for INDYCAR, its unique challenges and sensational history, and we look forward to being part of it.” 

Indy fans will be watching closely as PREMA finalizes its driver lineup for 2025; here’s what’s been confirmed and what’s still to come.  

Callum Ilott Confirmed by PREMA for 2025

On September 17, PREMA confirmed British driver Callum Ilott will return to IndyCar as the first of its two drivers for the 2025 season. Team Principal Rene Rosin is thrilled with the new partnership and notes that Ilott’s previous success within IndyCar and with PREMA were deciding factors. 

“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.”

Callum Ilott previously drove for Juncos Hollinger Racing in IndyCar from 2021-2023 (Photo via motorsports.com)

In his young career, Ilott has not only earned top-ten and top-five finishes in IndyCar, but he’s done so as part of a young team. After securing a second place finish in the F2 championship and joining F1 as Alfa Romeo’s reserve driver, Ilott signed with Juncos Hollinger Racing for its first Indy season in 2021. Ilott stayed at Juncos Hollinger for two years, with a pair of personal best fifth-place finishes at St. Petersburg and Laguna Seca. Ilott parted ways with the team in 2023, moving over to WEC; while racing in WEC, he continued to substitute for McLaren in IndyCar, suggesting that he had some unfinished business in the series. Now with the chance to return full-time, Ilott sees the potential for continued success. 

“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.”

As for the word on Ilott’s potential teammate, we only have the chatter in the paddock – no official talks with other drivers have been confirmed by the team. Here are three possible drivers that could partner with Ilott in 2025. 

3 Drivers Who Could Partner with Callum Ilott at PREMA in 2025

Logan Sargeant

Sargeant has been linked with PREMA’s new IndyCar outfit for months, since his departure from Williams F1 team was made public. Originally, the partnership was set to end at the conclusion of the 2024 season, but a combination of Sargeant’s lack of points scored, persistent DNFs and mutual frustrations between the two parties led to the mid-season split.

Logan Sargeant while with Williams Racing in Formula 1 (Photo via Autoweek)

Williams teammate Alex Albon experienced a similar outcome at Red Bull, and spoke out in support of Sargeant’s next steps as a driver.

“I know firsthand how brutal this sport can be & it’s tough to see Logan leave this team mid-season”, Albon said. “You gave it your all brother and it’s been a pleasure being teammates with you. I know whatever you do next, you’ll be awesome.”

Sargeant is now left to decide where he’ll land in 2025. His history with PREMA as a junior driver makes him a compelling choice for the new Indy seat – he partnered with the team in 2020, placing third overall in the F3 championship, with two race wins on the season. PREMA’s team boss has acknowledged the rumors, but hasn’t commented further; joining an IndyCar team could give Sargeant the chance to continue driving full-time at an important inflection point in his career. But as a driver who’s spent his entire career in Formula Cars, with a decent amount of success in junior racing, he may end up deciding to keep chasing that dream in the form of a reserve role or another Formula series.

Robert Schwartzman

Another young talent who’s expressed his interest in a career in IndyCar is Robert Schwartzman. Schwartzman came up in the FIA feeder series with Sargeant and Ilott, but he’s branched out into WEC and tested for IndyCar and Formula E. This varied experience could make him a good candidate for the seat, signaling an easier transition to IndyCar than a driver like Sargeant who’s only raced Formula Cars. 

Robert Schwartzman (center) with his teammates on the podium in WEC (Photo via @schwartzmanrob on X)

Schwartzman is currently driving in WEC alongside Ilott, but seems to be keeping his options open for a move to another series. As recently as 2023, he tested with Chip Ganassi Racing in IndyCar’s open testing period. He’s also been trackside with DS Penske in Formula E, twice – in both 2023 and 2024. While testing isn’t a sure sign of anything, there could be interest from more than one team, making Schwartzman a more likely candidate to pursue Indy over other series.

Alexander Rossi

Alexander Rossi’s contract with McLaren is up at the end of this season, making the 2016 Indy 500 winner another option for the new team. While he has no previous history with the team, PREMA is new to the grid, meaning an ideal lineup would have a young talent paired with a veteran.

Alexander Rossi winning the 2016 Indy 500 (Photo via WSJ)

Having an IndyCar veteran – not to mention an Indy 500 winner – on the team could be invaluable in a team’s rookie year, setting PREMA off on the right foot and giving Rossi another chance to lead after his recent split with McLaren.