PREMA Racing Shows Promising Growth in IndyCar Debut Season
PREMA Racing has made significant strides in its debut season in the IndyCar Series, highlighted by impressive performances and adaptive strategies. The team’s trajectory has been marked by Robert Shwartzman securing a surprise pole position at the prestigious Indianapolis 500, followed by a series of strong finishes from teammate Callum Ilott.
Recently, Ilott achieved noteworthy results with an eighth-place finish in Toronto, a sixth at Laguna Seca, and another sixth in Portland. These accomplishments underscore PREMA’s rapid development since their first race in March. "If we can just put it all together, we’re going to have some great results," Ilott stated. He acknowledged that the team has experienced setbacks, including issues with pit stops and fuel management, but expressed confidence in their growing pace and overall performance.
Crucially, the team’s pit crew has shown marked improvement, moving from being the slowest unit to the tenth-fastest among 27 entries in Portland. "Now I can move forwards," Ilott noted, emphasizing the crew’s ability to strategize effectively during races. This enhancement in pit stop efficiency has allowed Ilott to be more competitive when in clear air, moving away from concerns about losing positions.
PREMA’s roster combines European racing expertise with seasoned IndyCar veterans, such as Ilott’s race engineer, Steve Barker, who previously collaborated with Ilott at Juncos Hollinger Racing. Their established rapport has been instrumental in navigating the complexities of the new team environment. "Once we started to get things figured out, our race pace really showed," said Ilott, highlighting the synergy between the driver and engineer.
As PREMA Racing continues to evolve, the team is positioning itself as a competitive force in the IndyCar Series, demonstrating resilience and adaptability as they build on their foundation.
