Get to know IndyCar’s newest team – Prima Racing with drivers Callum Ilott and Robert Schwartzman, Sporting Advisor Ryan Briscoe and team owner Rene Rosin

Roger Penske:

This is Roger Penske, and you're listening to Pit Pass Indy, sponsored by Penske Truck Rental.

Bruce Martin:

IndyCar fans, it's time to start your engines. Welcome to Pit Pass Indy, a production of Evergreen Podcast. I'm your host Bruce Martin, a journalist who regularly covers the NTT IndyCar series.

Our goal at Pit Pass Indy is to give racing fans an insider's view of the exciting world of the NTT IndyCar series. In a fast-paced podcast featuring interviews with the biggest names in the sport. I bring nearly 40 years of experience covering IndyCar and NASCAR, working for such media brands as nbcsports.com, si.com, ESPN Sports Ticker, Sports Illustrated, Auto Week and Speed Sport. So, let's drop the green flag on this episode of Pit Pass Indy.

Welcome to Pit Pass Indy as we begin our fifth season of giving IndyCar fans an inside look at the most exciting form of racing on the planet, the NTT IndyCar Series. It may be the first month of the new year, but the pace is picking up dramatically as IndyCar series teams gear up for the 2025 season.

One of those is a new team to IndyCar, but not a new team to racing. It's Prema, an Italian based operation. It was founded in 1983 by Angelo Rosin and Giorgio Piccolo. Over the next 42 years, Prema has stood for excellence in the European formulas of racing, including GP2 and GP3, the two ranks just below the Formula 1 World Championship.

With 43 drivers’ championship titles, 44 team championship titles, and hundreds of victories ranging from FIA Formula 2 to Formula 4, and numerous categories in between, Prema Racing is one of the most successful teams in junior single-seater motor sport.

Prema has a reputation for nurturing next generation talent and has produced some of the greatest racing drivers of our time, including Formula 1 Grand Prix winners, Charles Leclerc, Valtteri Bottas, and Oscar Piastri, and current IndyCar series drivers, Felix Rosenqvist and Marcus Armstrong, as well as its 2025 NTT IndyCar series lineup.

Angelo Rosin's son René is now the owner of the team, and he expressed his interest in joining the NTT IndyCar series in 2024. He hired longtime IndyCar team executive Piers Phillips to help build the IndyCar series team, including an impressive racing facility in Fishers, Indiana, a suburb on the northeast side of Indianapolis.

The Chevrolet team includes drivers Callum Ilott of Cambridge, England, and rookie driver Robert Schwartzman of Tel Aviv, Israel. Formula 1 and IndyCar veteran driver, Romain Grosjean of Switzerland, will serve as premise reserve driver in 2025.

Prema officially unveiled its team and car livery on January 10th at the GM Charlotte Technical Center in Concord, North Carolina, and Pit Pass Indy was there.

Today's episode of Pit Pass Indy introduces our listeners to Prema Racing and the exciting opportunities that exist for IndyCar's newest team. We have interviews from both drivers as well as Sporting advisor Ryan Briscoe and team owner, René Rosin.

First up is Ilott, who joined IndyCar for the final three races of 2021 with Juncos Hollinger Racing. He remained full-time with Juncos Hollinger Racing through the end of the 2023 season with a best finish of fifth at St. Petersburg and Laguna Seca, both in 2023.

Ilott competed full-time in the World Endurance Championship in 2024, but made two IndyCar starts for Arrow McLaren in St. Petersburg, and the Indianapolis 500 finishing 11th in each race.

Here's my exclusive interview with Callum Ilott of Prema for Pit Pass Indy. Joining us now is a man who's not unfamiliar with being part of the Pit Pass Indy Podcast, but he's representing Prema Racing now. It's Callum Ilott. Welcome back to IndyCar, and how exciting is it to be on this team and be the centerpiece driver of what'll be a two-driver effort in 2025 and beyond?

Callum Ilott:

Thank you for the warm welcome. Yeah, it's incredible. We just had our launch and what an event. It's been a hectic couple of months, I think, for the team, longer for some of the people who are the foundations of that. But it's incredible.

This team has so much history in Europe and kind of globally as well. But to be able to bring that to IndyCar, which is such a competitive series, and actually no new teams have really started from scratch in a long time in and especially coming from Europe. I'm so excited.

It's going to be nice at St. Pete. It's going to be nice at the 500. We've got some amazing people on board and yeah, I'm just excited to start this journey with people I know very well.

Bruce Martin:

We've seen new teams enter IndyCar, but I can't think of very many that have come in this well prepared and this polished. How do you describe the effort that Prema has put into joining the IndyCar series?

Callum Ilott:

It's incredible. There's nothing spared in that sense. We've gone full attack on everything. The only limit is time. And we've spent, I'd say more than 12 months preparing as a whole package and to be able to unveil something so impressive and so perfected. Of course, when we hit the track is another story, but right now I can't be happier.

And I think Piers, René, Angelina, we've got Deborah as well, and Graham have worked so hard to get to this point, and so many hurdles we've had to jump through. And like you said, it's been a long time since a new team has bought everything from scratch, especially in the U.S. and it's no easy task, that's for sure.

Bruce Martin:

And how well do you know your teammate Robert Schwartzman?

Callum Ilott:

So, I've known him since we were karting. I've seen him for many years around the paddock. And then we were together — we joined Ferrari at the same time, actually in the Ferrari Driver Academy back in 2017. And we spent four years together. He spent a little bit longer in Europe than I did. And then, yeah, he is back here, so many years, 10, 11, 12 years.

Bruce Martin:

One thing I've always been very impressed by you is you're extremely self-confident in your ability to drive a race car. Remember when you were a rookie and it was Barber Motorsport Park, and you were fastest in practice, and people asked, “How did you do that lap?” And you said, “Because I'm good.”

But now you're on a team that's got the tools to back that up. And how much does that boost your confidence even more that you can pilot this car to the front of the field?

Callum Ilott:

Yeah, let's see. I mean, obviously the first couple of races are going to be finding our feet. There's no doubt about it. If we hit the ground running, that's great, but the expectation is we've probably got a few things to work on, and that's the reality of it.

But beyond that, there's no reason end of the year, year two, we can't be at the top. And this team really, really does a good job and puts every bit of effort from everyone inside it. So, yeah, I think there isn't a better place to join right now and be part of for the future.

Bruce Martin:

This may sound a little bit strange, but I think you'll understand where I'm going with this, but how important is it to a race driver to feel wanted on a team?

Callum Ilott:

That's the first part. You want to be part of something where you want to be as much as they want you. And René and Angelina have always kept in close contact with me and been in touch. And yeah, once I heard that they were coming to IndyCar, me and plenty of others were like, that is a team that you have to be a part of. It may take a little bit of time, but they are the ones that will bring the car to the top.

Bruce Martin:

Your limited amount of time that you've been in IndyCar, you've seen the growth of the series, now we're getting teams with this great heritage and background, like Prema wanting to be part of IndyCar. How important is that for the series?

Callum Ilott:

I think it's incredible. You got to look beyond the bubble that sometimes is IndyCar. And if you look at how many international drivers you have having international teams, okay, Andretti is going to Formula 1 now as well. It's kind of crossing the paths and just raising the game.

If we raise the game, I think everything else comes, we've got such a great on track package, Prema do a great job on that side. They do a great job off the track. McLaren do the same. And yeah, I think, it's just about building the series up and building the drivers, building the teams and put the series at the top.

Bruce Martin:

René Rosin is the team owner, and he's delegated the duties of putting this program together to Piers Phillips. Piers has been around IndyCar for a while. He's also been part of European racing. How important is his role and how would you assess the job he's done so far, putting this team together in IndyCar from scratch?

Callum Ilott:

Piers has done an incredible job. It really is no small task to get to this point and to build up like he and they have. René is an incredible people person. He knows how to get the best people on board, and Piers has facilitated that for us in the U.S.

We've got some incredible engineers, incredible mechanics, and I think everything he's said, he’s done. And that's something that is not easy in this world. And yeah, I'm really impressed with the journey they've taken and where it's going to go.

Bruce Martin:

Also, they brought Ryan Briscoe into the sporting department. How valuable will his experience be in helping you and Robert?

Callum Ilott:

So, Ryan's been working with us on the simulator so far. He's been great. He is a real solid guy, really easy to talk to, and obviously has a wealth of experience in IndyCar and beyond. And he has a history of Prema, so it was just natural.

And look, I think for someone to just rely on as the team drivers, especially for Robert with the ovals, I think it can be a lot of help in a lot of different ways. And yeah, it's important to have those kind of people on board who've been there and done it in many different teams.

Bruce Martin:

Also, you have Romain Grosjean as a reserve driver, and generally in IndyCar, we don't see reserve drivers on an IndyCar team. How big of a change will that be to the culture of IndyCar?

Callum Ilott:

Yeah, maybe it adds, I don't know, an extra level to IndyCar. Obviously, it's a very tough series on the driver's side, it’s hard to stay in the loop, and I think that's important. I know I struggled a bit this year being out … oh, sorry, last year now being out of the loop.

So, hopefully that can add to it. And Romain's a good guy. He is super fast. He knows his stuff, and I think when he is there, he is going to be helping us as well.

Bruce Martin:

Last year you had to split your time between the World Endurance Championship and also fill in an Arrow McLaren, which is now a full-time McLaren team in IndyCar. How difficult was that?

Callum Ilott:

Really wasn't too difficult. I really enjoyed it. It was nice to keep myself active with work. There wasn't many races, there was eight races across the year, so being able to film that time early on in the year and stay in a car was great.

And to do it with a team like McLaren was incredible. The 500 was a really good event and I learned so much from it. So, yeah, I'm grateful to Zak, Tony and Gavin for that opportunity.

Bruce Martin:

How do you even begin to prepare Robert for what he's going to experience at the Indianapolis 500?

Callum Ilott:

Robert is very good. He's very easy in terms of, you put him in a car, and he will drive the wheels off of it. So, I don't think there's an issue on that side, but it's about being patient, taking your time. And there's many little areas in Indy that are tiring that you have to focus on, not take for granted. And I think that will be partly a discovery process, but also at the same time, it's something that I think he'll take quite naturally too.

Bruce Martin:

Of course, one of the great traditions about the Indianapolis 500 is the singing of back home again in Indiana, but in a lot of ways you got to feel like it's back home again at Prema and IndyCar.

Callum Ilott:

Exactly, yeah. The 500 is incredible. And to be able to share that with René, Angelina, Piers, yeah, it's going to be interesting. I think they're going to love it. I don’t know if they actually went to the race. I saw them at the qualifier weekend. But yeah, it's going to be their first experience from what I believe. And yeah, they're going to be awesome.

Bruce Martin:

Well, Callum, I know that you gained a lot of fans when you were racing in IndyCar, and a lot of fans are happy to see you back. So, good luck in 2025 at Prema Racing and IndyCar. And thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy.

Callum Ilott:

Thank you very much.

Bruce Martin:

Next up is IndyCar series rookie driver, Robert Schwartzman. The 25-year-old has a proven track record in single seaters and most recently in sports car competition. He began his career in karting at the age of four and was recruited by Prema Racing for the 2018 European Formula 3 championship.

That winter, Schwartzman won his first title by dominating the New Zealand based Toyota Racing Series before moving on to claim two wins and 11 podiums in European F3. That season he defeated Future two-time NTT IndyCar series Champion Alex Palou and IndyCar driver Marcus Armstrong.

Schwartzman continued with Prema Racing in 2019 and won the FIA Formula 3 championship on his first attempt before sticking with the team for a very competitive rookie FIA Formula 2 campaign in 2020 with four wins. Following that up by finishing as the runner up in 2021 to Prema teammate Oscar Piastri.

Schwartzman has served as Scooter Ferrari's test and reserve driver in Formula 1, completing six free practice sessions with Ferrari and Sauber, and has also picked up test driver responsibilities for DS Penske in Formula E.

In 2023, Schwartzman switched to sports cars and took a victory in GT World Challenge Europe and AF Corse before moving to the FIA World Endurance Championship on a full-time basis in Hypercar where he secured a landmark victory at Lone Star Le Mans, held at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

Let's get to know Robert Schwartzman as he joins me for this exclusive Pit Pass Indy interview. Joining us now on Pit Pass Indy, he may be an IndyCar series rookie, but he's been a veteran at Prema. It's Robert Schwartzman, who this year is going to be competing in every race in the NTT IndyCar series for a new team, Prema Racing. Robert, how does it feel to be preparing for this great journey that you're about to go on?

Robert Shwartzman:

Yeah, it feels awesome. I'm very excited, honestly. It's definitely going to be a big, big challenge for all of us as a team and as myself. I've never raced any IndyCar race, so yeah, definitely a lot of work to do, a lot of things to learn but I'm very excited, it's definitely something new in my career.

After racing, let's say for 20 years in Europe it comes time to try something new, a new direction. Yeah, very excited about ovals as well. Definitely is going to be a new challenge. I've just been watching some couple of NASCAR races, and they were running around in ovals.

And I was like, okay, I need to know and understand how does it work actually? Where is the difference? So, definitely yeah, a lot of things to do, but I'm very, very excited about it.

Bruce Martin:

I've been covering racing for 43 years, and I can't recall a new team joining IndyCar that is ready to go and as polished and professional as Prema. How do you even begin to describe just the effort that they've put in to get a very impressive looking organization from the ground up?

Robert Shwartzman:

I mean, I know Prema for quite a while. I started working with them from 2017. I've done four years with them. We were on Formula 3, vice champion in F2. So, yeah, I know how they work and to be honest, in that state, I'm not really surprised by their work because I knew that they're going to be on it straight away.

So, I had no doubt that they're going to gather really good people, really good team and that they're going to organize everything on a right way, because this is their approach in Europe. This is why they’re Prema and this is why we've been winning together.

So, this is also a family, let's say, tradition and how to approach this way. So, yeah, that's why I'm really looking forward for the season with them in Indy because I believe that we're going to do a really successful years.

Bruce Martin:

René Rosin is the team owner, but Piers Phillips has been the man that's helped put this IndyCar team together from the ground up. How impressed have you been by the job the two of them have done?

Robert Shwartzman:

I mean, definitely a good job to both of them. René spent quite a lot of time here traveling, trying to gather all the people together because I've seen the effort, because I'm his friend, so he was telling me and showing me what was going on.

So, definitely he was doing a lot of effort. Also, from Piers’ side, he's living here, so for him it's easier, but every day at work, every day at trying to manage things. And both of them did a really good job because we have everything I think, settled and ready, so we're ready to go.

So, now it comes the time for myself, Callum and the engineers to finally tune up this car and bring it to the first spot.

Bruce Martin:

You come from a European racing background. What is the European viewpoint of IndyCar and the Indianapolis 500?

Robert Shwartzman:

Indy 500, obviously everybody knows about, because I remember myself being in Monaco for F1 Race at the same time, there was the Indy 500, and we were watching it at the same time as the Monaco.

Definitely a very, very famous and exciting race. As the Indy car itself, everybody knows about it, that there is a lot of good drivers and most of the drivers who had some touch with Formula 1, there's quite a lot of them here with big experience, with big knowledge.

So, yeah, I think IndyCar, in my opinion, it's like a Formula 1 series, but here in U.S. So, it's really nice. I'm really looking forward for that challenge, and I acknowledge that it's not going to be easy, but it's going to be definitely interesting.

Bruce Martin:

Speaking of challenges, how challenging will it be to master the art of driving on an oval?

Robert Shwartzman:

Well, that's definitely going to be interesting for me as well. At the moment, I have no idea how to do that, but it's exciting. I've done just a couple of laps in the sim in the oval, and yeah, it's definitely not easy, but it's really exciting.

And just to feel that speed around the oval, especially in Indianapolis, when you go there at 240 miles an hour, it's going to be very exciting. I've never experienced any, like these speeds anytime in any race car, or normal car whatsoever. So, definitely looking forward to that. And I just hope I get quickly to learn all the tricks and things about that, about how to drive fast in the oval.

Bruce Martin:

How about pairing up with your teammate, Callum Illot?

Robert Shwartzman:

That's good. I know Callum from long, long time, from 2010, we started driving and karting together, I was already before him, but he joined up. And we were always competing against each other, but we always had respect for each other, in all these years, I think we never had a incident or crash or anything between each other, so I was outside, I was inside.

We always had respect to each other, and it was good. Callum was never a guy that I would consider a bad driver. So, he's a good driver. He has a very good experience in Indy, he's done, I think four years.

He's definitely going to be very, very needful here for us, because I'm a rookie. I will do my best to help out the team, but obviously, I don't know, some things that I haven't experienced yet, Callum have, so for sure his input in that is also very important. As for the team, as for myself as well, to get up to speed as quick as possible, because we need two cars up there.

Bruce Martin:

But also working with the team, the sporting capacity will be former IndyCar driver, former Indy 500 pole winner, Ryan Briscoe. How important is it for him to be able to impart his knowledge and experience to both drivers?

Robert Shwartzman:

That's as well, that's another good point that Ryan is going to be helping not only just us drivers, but also the team, because he knows a lot of things, he have done it for many, many years, and definitely he's already doing it.

He's always with us when we even go to the sim and stuff, he's watching, talking with us, trying to guide, help out, help me as well, because he acknowledged that I'm a rookie. I need quite a lot of help in something. So, for sure, his role is also super important in that whole scenario.

Bruce Martin:

Something unique to this team is the fact you have Romain Grosjean as a reserve driver. The concept of reserve drivers is something we see quite often in European racing, especially Formula 1, but it's really not something we see in IndyCar. How different will that be?

And Romain is a guy who's quite familiar with his European racing background, especially in Formula 1. What's it going to be like to have his opinion and attitude and his experience to be able to give to a new driver such as yourself?

Robert Shwartzman:

Obviously as well, I've recently just found out that he's going to be a reserve. He's been quite a late call. But it's always good to have a reserve in the team. I've been reserve myself in Formula 1 and Ferrari for a couple of years.

And it's just good to have a guy who is going to be reserve, who has good experience that if something happens with me or Callum, team is still going to continue to get good points, good challenges, because the guy knows what it's like.

And obviously, yeah, his opinion, I mean, I don't know Romain really close. I've never worked with him before, so we need to get to know each other. But definitely if he's going to get his input in the team, try to help and guide me in some things, each opinion is a good opinion. So, just to listen to him, and I'll try to improve some things. That's also a very important thing, so we'll see how it's going to go.

Bruce Martin:

A lot of drivers who've had experience in Formula 1, including two-time champion, Fernando Alonso said the one thing they loved about IndyCar is it's pure racing. The driver has a lot of influence in whether you win or lose. And is that one of the things that you look forward to the most is to experience how unique IndyCar is compared to Formula 1?

Robert Shwartzman:

Yeah. I mean, definitely that's the main reason I said in the preview that the two reasons that I went here is Prema and the fact that there is a really, really interesting battles, and it's up to the driver because I've been in a racing series and race cars where it was not really up to the driver, and it was really annoying when you know you can deliver, you can bring it up, but some things was not going the right way, and it was influencing the results. So, I really hope that's here I can make the difference and I can show up the result.

Bruce Martin:

How important would it be for you to not only get Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the year, but IndyCar series Rookie of the Year? Probably more important than that, become an IndyCar Series race winner?

Robert Shwartzman:

For me, I point out as the championship winner, let's be honest. So, I mean, it's always nice to win the rookie stuff to win a race, even to do a pole position. But for me, the challenge that I'm looking for is to get the title, because that's where we make the difference, that where we stand up.

So, it's not always have to be winning every race. I expect that it's not going to be happening, but I want to be always up there, up the front and be consistent, bring up the points, and then at the end of the year, to celebrate the win. That's my target.

Bruce Martin:

You can't have big accomplishments without having big dreams and big goals, and you certainly have them with trying to be an IndyCar series champion. But Robert Schwartzman, congratulations on joining IndyCar with Prema Racing. Good luck in the 2025 IndyCar series season and thank you for joining us on Pit Pass Indy.

Robert Shwartzman:

Thank you very much. Thank you, sir.

Bruce Martin:

We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break.

Josef Newgarden:

Hey everyone, this is two-time Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden, and you're listening to Pit Pass Indy, presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Bruce Martin:

Welcome back to Pit Pass Indy. Ryan Briscoe returns to IndyCar as the sporting advisor at Prema Racing. Briscoe is no stranger to IndyCar, as he was one of its brightest stars, nearly 20 years ago with Team Penske.

The Sydney Australian native joined Chip Ganassi Racing in 2005. He was involved in a serious crash at Chicagoland Speedway late that season and missed the last three races of the 2005 campaign. After running a limited IndyCar schedule in 2006 and 2007, Briscoe returned to full-time IndyCar duty in 2008 with Team Penske.

He nearly won the 2009 IndyCar Series Championship and was the leader in the next to last race of the season at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan before he spun out and crashed while leaving pit lane in that race.

Briscoe entered the final race of the 2009 season, locked in a tremendous battle for the championship, but finished third behind champion, Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon.

Briscoe finished second to Franchitti in the final race of the season at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and fell just 12 points short of winning the championship. He won seven IndyCar races in his career and started on the pole for the Indianapolis 500 in 2012 before finishing fifth.

Briscoe finished his career in sports car racing with three wins in the famed Rolex 24 at Daytona Briscoe, who has married a longtime ESPN anchor and host, Nicole Briscoe returns to IndyCar where he will share his knowledge and experience with Prema’s two drivers as the team's sporting advisor.

Here's my exclusive interview with Ryan Briscoe for Pit Pass Indy. Joining us now on Pit Pass, Indy is a man that I've known for about 20 years, former IndyCar series driver, including Team Penske, had some great years at Team Penske, it's Ryan Briscoe, who has joined Prema Racing, a new team in the NTT IndyCar series. You're involved in the sporting end of it. If you could describe our listeners, what your role will be with the team.

Ryan Briscoe:

Yeah, thanks. No, I mean, honestly, it's kind of full circle for me. I started my open wheel racing career back in 2000, end of 2000 with the Prema Racing team in Formula Renault. And actually came up through the ranks with Prema, won a couple of championships with them in 2001, 2003 before coming to the States to race IndyCar.

So, when Prema made their decision to come into IndyCar, I'd actually recently been in Italy to see the team for their 40-year anniversary party. René reached out to me, and he was like, “What are your plans? Would you be interested in helping us with this endeavor?” And I was all in.

And I'm excited for it. I mean, it is like family this team for me going back so many years and I get to do something new outside of driving. I'm excited for sort of this, I guess, next stage in my career. And there's no other team I'd like to do it with. I mean, it's just perfect fit, and I'm excited to work with Callum and Robert.

Bruce Martin:

I've seen teams come into IndyCar, but I can't think of a team that has come into the series is well prepared and is polished as Prema. This already looks like a winning operation. And you haven't even started the IndyCar series. How do you describe just that level of preparation and polish that this team has?

Ryan Briscoe:

I mean, it's been a thrash for everyone to get this ready. And Piers Phillips, leading the operations over here, has just done an incredible job. I mean, this is literally being put together from scratch, a brand-new factory up in Indianapolis in Fishers.

And they just moved in a few weeks ago to the race shop. We’re going to hit the track in a couple of weeks out in California for a few test days. But there's a lot still to do. I mean, there's no doubt this is going to be a very steep learning curve.

But this team has a lot of resources, a lot of incredible people. They're really focused on blending their knowledge from European racing with knowledge and experience from over here in IndyCar Racing, and some key personnel that have been working in IndyCar for many years.

And I guess I'm sort of here and I'm sort of bridging that gap as well. I'm sort of like, I've done them both. I've worked with the team in Europe. I've obviously worked in IndyCar for many, many years. And so, I feel like a lot of that experience is what I'm going to be able to bring to the table for the team and help them, help the team, help the drivers and just be a voice of reason sometimes as well.

Bruce Martin:

And in latter years, even when you were not racing in the Indianapolis 500, you would show up and serve as a driver coach for several teams. And just how valuable is that to impart some of your knowledge to other drivers, share some of the experience that you've had with them?

Ryan Briscoe:

I really enjoy it, it's really a unique feeling, I think, to be able to at least use the experience that I've gained over the years and not let it just go to waste and be able to help young drivers that are new to IndyCar, that are new to oval racing. And you especially see the difference there.

But it's a fun part of the job for me. I mean, I obviously miss racing. That's just it's passion, it's life. But I love being at the racetrack, and this is a great way, I think, for me to stay involved and help the team succeed, hopefully.

Bruce Martin:

Not only did you nearly win the IndyCar series Championship at Team Penske in 2009, you also started on the Indianapolis 500 pole in your career. You won a lot of races in IndyCar, you had a pretty good career. You look about the same as you did 20 years ago. How much racing do you still get to do?

Ryan Briscoe:

I'm good. I'm satisfied. I mean, I'm really happy and I've got a couple of kids at home as well, and I've really sort of taken the last few years to focus a lot of my time and attention to my children growing up, and I've enjoyed that.

But no, I mean, I miss the travel and being at the track all the time, and I'm going to get that back again this year, so I'm excited. But yeah, it's great memories winning races in IndyCar. There's nothing like it. The Indy 500, being on pole in 2012 with Chevy, was fantastic. So, that was great. Hopefully I can help these drivers get some wins and we'll see where it goes.

Bruce Martin:

You live in Connecticut, how much time will you be spending on site in Indianapolis and in the series?

Ryan Briscoe:

Quite a lot. I mean, I plan on attending all the races and as many of the tests that I can. And so, I'm going to be traveling full-time with the team. Obviously there will be some sessions in Indianapolis because I think that's also important for me to be there. So, yeah, it's going to be busy, so a lot of travel, but I'm excited for it.

Bruce Martin:

And your two drivers, Callum Ilott, who has always impressed me, not only for his ability on the racetrack, but he has probably the most confidence that I've ever met in any racing driver. He believes he's already a star given the right equipment. So, what do you see and forecast for Callum Ilott?

Ryan Briscoe:

I mean, I think he has incredible potential and already bringing into this team some IndyCar experience, I think is crucial. And so, yeah, I'm excited to see what he can do. I think we're all just waiting and working hard to try to make sure the car can run smoothly and hopefully be competitive.

But I think everyone here at Prema needs to stay humble. It's going to be incredibly difficult. It's a very competitive series. You're up against teams that have been doing this for decades, and I think it's going to be an eyeopener for a lot of these members that haven't raced in America, how difficult it is and how unique IndyCar racing is, and how unique each and every single circuit is that you go to.

And I think that's the most difficult thing is that you need to be prepared to change every single weekend. And I think Callum with his experience is going to do great. I think Robert, he's young, he's hungry, he’s never driven on an oval before, but he's going to pick it up quick.

And I think they're both confident, but they're also very aware that they've still got a lot to learn and I think they've got the right approach.

Bruce Martin:

The other driver, of course, is Robert Schwartzman, who will be an IndyCar series rookie. What's your forecast for him, and how much of an eye-opening experience will it be for Robert?

Ryan Briscoe:

I can't wait to see him hit his first oval. I remember that moment for me when I started, and just the G-forces the load that you experience, you get out of the car the first time and you're kind of dizzy from going around in circles.

And I just can't wait for him to experience that for the first time. We've already done a few simulator sessions at Chevrolet, and he's doing an awesome job. I mean, he's a top-level driver and he's going to do really well.

Bruce Martin:

You and I go way back. It's hard to believe it's already been 21 years. But when you look back at your IndyCar career, like you said, you're satisfied with what you were able to do behind the wheel of a race car, but you were there when maybe IndyCar wasn't at the same level it's become today. And how do you even compare how much the series has grown since 2004?

Ryan Briscoe:

Yeah, I mean, it's just great. It's great to see the growth, it is so competitive. I mean, there's literally, on any given weekend, 12, 15 drivers could win, and you just don't see that anywhere else. So, to see the growth, the partners that are involved, it's so impressive. And I think, having Prema come on board with this level of presentation as well, it's just going to be awesome for IndyCar Racing partners, everyone involved.

Bruce Martin:

Ryan Briscoe, like I said, we go pretty far back, and it's always been an honor to associate with you. We've been friends, we've been journalists and you've been a driver, and we've kept in touch all those years.

But congratulations on your role here at Prema Racing, and we'll see you around the NTT IndyCar series schedule in 2025 and hopefully many more years beyond that. But thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy.

Ryan Briscoe:

Alright, thank you.

Bruce Martin:

Next up, let's meet the man in charge of Prema Racing. It's owner René Rosin, who continues the brand's impressive legacy of excellence as he leads the team into its first season in the NTT IndyCar series.

I caught up with Rosin at the team's introduction for this exclusive Pit Pass Indy interview. New to the IndyCar series this year will be Prema Racing, and we're pleased to be joined by the owner of Prema, René Rosin. René, what was it about IndyCar that made you to decide to bring such a historic and heritage-based team as Prema from Europe into IndyCar?

René Rosin:

We were looking over and something new to do and to increase our already global coverage on motorsport, we are covering all category from karting until nearly Formula 1. And of course, we were looking at an expansion and what can be fitted on the best for Prema. And we saw immediately that IndyCar was the right choice.

With some tips here and there, with some friends from Formula 1, from other environments, some past friend drivers that still racing in IndyCar that's telling how great is this championship, this high competition, is the only championship with all the different type of circuits over road course, street course.

And the competition is really, really tight. And that's why we bring that to a new challenge. And we decided this was the right moment to do. When we do something in Prema, it's not to do something just to do, but it's to show something, to put a mark on everybody.

So, this was the right moment, I think, to show that. And also to expand our possibility, not only for drivers, but as well for mechanics and engineers.

Bruce Martin:

And of course, when you're an IndyCar series team, the cornerstone event is the Indianapolis 500, probably the most famous auto race in the world. And how important is that to you and to Prema to get a chance to race in the Indianapolis 500?

René Rosin:

For sure. It's always been a dream as a race. Indy 500 is, I think the most difficult, the most challenge, is the most big spectacular motor racing overall, is the amount of people on the ground stand on that Sunday is incredible, even if we are not participating.

I always look on the 500 on my way back from Monaco because on the most of the time, on the same day there is the Monaco GP. And on the Sunday on the driving back home, we always put … even if it's not really legal, let's say.

But to watch the Indy 500 and be part of this race in 2025 first of all is an honor, to represent Prema there, to represent the Italian flag. The Italian Motorsport is a moment that we are really proud, and we want to do our showcase in the best way as possible.

We know that it will be difficult, we know it will be challenge, but we are up for that.

Bruce Martin:

Another Italian company that is heavily involved in IndyCar is Dallara, how far back does your time go with Dallara and the fact that they supply every car in the series? How much does that give you confidence level that you're going to have a quality race car?

René Rosin:

For sure. Dallara is a masterclass in racing, is an example of the Italianity, is an example of perfection, is an example of high engineering. And our history with Dallara is back on 1992, when for the first time my dad choose Dallara as a chassis for our Formula 3 team.

And my first time in Dallara, I remember I was quite young, and I was accompanying my dad when he was meeting at the time the engineer, and then following up, of course when I take over the Formula 3 team, Dallara was our supplier of chassis and is always been a proud to be racing with that car, with that Italian brand.

And of course, is a reason also while we are here, the support that we are having that we got in the first mile from the Dallara is something incredible, for the delivery of the car, delivery of parts. The quality of how everything is done is high level and we are looking forward for it.

Bruce Martin:

Your driver lineup, Callum Ilott, who's been in IndyCar the last couple of years has some experience in IndyCar. How do you assess what he can bring to the team?

René Rosin:

For sure, the choice of the drivers, as I say before or during the launch has been something that they become automatically, we want to bring a bit of Prema DNA in our team from the driver's point of view and having two drivers that has been racing with Prema in our ladder, it was a plus.

It was something important for us, especially on the year one. Callum as a driver, that is still, let's say a rookie, his experience is not as much as others, but he knows IndyCar. He is been racing IndyCar now for a few years. Even if last year did just some show of races with McLaren and I think it can bring a great advantage.

But on the other hand, he knows how we work, he knows who we are, the way we are working and that is a perfectly fit for us.

Bruce Martin:

Also, a young driver, he is going to be an IndyCar series rookie, Robert Schwartzman. What was it about Robert that made you decide he was a perfect fit for IndyCar?

René Rosin:

Basically, Robert has been with us, he did all this single sitter ladder with us part the year in Formula Renault. And he's been somebody that in all the areas with us, he’s always fight for a championship all the time. From Formula 3 to Formula 2, he’s always been fighting for the title race winners, always constant on podium and we have still now even last year that he was racing in the World Endurance Championship with Ferrari.

We always have maintained a great, great relationship. He's part of our family; he's part of our environment. And automatically when we decided to go to IndyCar, it was a perfectly spot for us to say, here we have to go together. And that's how we are.

Bruce Martin:

The man who has helped put this team together. From the ground up in IndyCar is Piers Phillips. How valuable has he been in getting this operation to where it is now?

René Rosin:

For sure. We have to say we started from zero. So, that is I think one of the biggest challenge we got. And the help of Piers in setting up everything has been very, very important. He know the business, he's been in America for the last 10 years. He knows how the environment is, how everything is difficult.

And together with our ops manager, Graham Quinn, we have been able to set up from day one a great team, a great infrastructure that we are now ready to go racing in couple of months.

Bruce Martin:

You also have hired former IndyCar driver and Indianapolis 500 pole winner, Ryan Briscoe, to serve in the sporting capacity of the team. What was it about Ryan that made you believe; this is the guy I want to help work with the team.

René Rosin:

So, when we decided to jump into IndyCar, we were looking of some people of course, and in our structures and immediately we came out it could be a good story to bring back Ryan with us. He knows IndyCar, he knows America. He did proposition Indy 500.

He’s still a good friend of us and when we met last year at our 40 anniversary party, we start joking why we don't do something together again. And from there it become automatically, I think he's a perfectly fit.

He was the first European title for us in 2003 in Formula 3, and he was a great year, a great challenge with us. We were battling against the best drivers and a huge competition between Mercedes and Oppel back in the time on the engine manufacturers.

We won with Ryan, and it was a great, great year and that was a great memory and bringing him back with us, it can give also our drivers, even if they know what is Prema. He knows how Prema is, point one and on the other hand he knows what is the American racing, which is different from what we are using in Europe. So, it is a win-win for everybody.

Bruce Martin:

In Formula 1, there is a role for reserve drivers. It's kind of foreign in IndyCar that a team would have a reserve driver, but you have one in Romain Grosjean. What was it about that that made you decide to bring that as an aspect of your team?

René Rosin:

Honestly, Romain, I think I know Romain since a while. At the moment, he has been has been Formula 1 drivers for so many years. He knows what does it mean to be an high-level driver and to be of course somebody that fight for wins and fight for great result in and be always professional.

When he came out, the opportunity to have him on board is of course something that I would not let him go in because of course it's something that can bring in benefits. Also in our view, we are not a project that is stand on year one, but it's a long-term project. So, let's see what the future will bring. And of course, our operation at the moment is two cars, but who say that in the future we can increase all that.

Bruce Martin:

Of course, you wanted to get an IndyCar charter. You don't have a charter. This will be the first year they use a charter system in IndyCar, but you're still just as enthusiastic and excited about entering IndyCar even without the charter.

How valuable would that have been? Will it be any type of detriment to not have the charter? I know financially there's some things you may not be able to share in, but it seems like looking around you've got a pretty solid operation as it is.

René Rosin:

To be honest, for sure, the charter is a novelty of the championship that's starting up in the last month of 2024, is when we decided to join IndyCar, the charter wasn't there, but was not fix it.

And we decided ourself between me and my partners, whatever, it'll happen. We will be in St. Pete's on 2025. We need to showmark what is Prema. We need to show everybody what we are capable on doing. And of course, let's see what the future will bring. Let's see if we are able to get a charter or not. Is it something that we are working on it but it's not a priority.

Priority was to be racing in St. Pete in 2025 and that's what we're looking for. We are here for racing. We are not here for the charter at the moment. We are here to be in the most difficult championship worldwide, apart Formula 1. We are here to racing on the Indy 500. We are here to embrace the American mentality of racing and that's what we are looking for.

Bruce Martin:

In our final question here with René Rosin, the owner of Prema, a new team in the NTT IndyCar series. You're very familiar with Formula 1, you're a part of Formula 1, but when you look at IndyCar and the unique form of racing that it is a lot of drivers, even Fernando Alonso said the one thing he loved about driving in IndyCar was it seemed to be pure racing where a driver had more influence on the outcome of a race.

René Rosin:

This is for sure another aspect to bring us to say that's the way we have to do is the type of car, I don't want to say is more similar to our route to what we are doing in Formula 3 and Formula 3, but the drivers is predominant against the car.

Of course, the team is very, very important because to be able to work together, what is important for me is not always the best driver to win. And it's not always the best team to win. It's the best combo. Team and drivers need to work together to the one goal, which is performance and win.

And that's what IndyCar is the perfect fit for us, we embrace the same mentality, and I think we can do something very, very good looking ahead in the next races in IndyCar, of course it'll be difficult. I don't want to seem arrogant, and it'll be really, really difficult, competing against Penske, Ganassi, McLaren, Andretti and Rahal.

I think is the biggest challenge for us. But I think with the duo we have, with the team behind us we have, I'm looking forward to great competition on track.

Bruce Martin:

Well, René Rosin, it's a very impressive team that you put together here for your first season in the NTT IndyCar series. Congratulations on that. Good luck in the 2025 IndyCar series season and every other form of racing that Prema is part of. And thank you for joining us on Pit Pass Indy.

René Rosin:

Thank you very much.

Bruce Martin:

We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break.

Scott McLaughlin:

Hi, I'm Scott McLaughlin, driver of the number three team Penske Chevy, and you're listening to Pit Pass Indy, presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Bruce Martin:

Welcome back to Pit Pass Indy. And that puts a checkered flag in this edition of Pit Pass Indy. We want to thank our guests, Prema Racing drivers Callum Ilott and Robert Schwartzman, sporting advisor Ryan Briscoe, and Prema team owner, René Rosin, for joining us on Pit Pass Indy.

Along with loyal listeners like you, our guests help make Pit Pass Indy your path to victory lane in IndyCar. Later this week, we will have a special bonus edition of Pit Pass Indy with an in-depth deep dive interview with Team Penske, managing director IndyCar, Ron Ruzewski.

For more IndyCar coverage, follow me at X, previously known as Twitter at BruceMartin_500. This has been a production of Evergreen Podcasts. A special thanks to our production team. Executive producers are Brigid Coyne and Gerardo Orlando. Recordings and edits were done by me, Bruce Martin and final mixing was done by Dave Douglas.

Learn more at evergreenpodcasts.com. Until next time, be sure to keep it out of the wall.