Another step to solidifying the core of the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES participation list was taken earlier this week with PREMA Racing’s announcement that Formula One reserve driver Robert Shwartzman, a 25-year-old Israeli who has six FIA Formula 2 wins on his resume, has joined its driver lineup. Callum Ilott was previously announced by the series’ newest team.
The expectation is that 27 car-and-driver combinations will be on the grid Sunday, March 2 when the green flag waves for the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. All 17 races will air live on FOX and the INDYCAR Radio Network.
So far, teams have announced 22 drivers for the available full-season seats. Those include the top 12 drivers from this year’s final point standings. Shwartzman and INDY NXT by Firestone champion Louis Foster are currently the only series rookies.
The remain five seats will come from three teams: one from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and two each from Dale Coyne Racing and Juncos Hollinger Racing.
The list of candidates for those seats is long and includes five drivers who finished in the top 20 in this year’s standings: Rinus VeeKay (13th), Linus Lundqvist (16th), Romain Grosjean (17th), Pietro Fittipaldi (19th) and Sting Ray Robb (20th). Other drivers to watch are Conor Daly and four with tests later this month at The Thermal Club: Logan Sargeant, Hunter McElrea, Toby Sowery and Enzo Fittipaldi.
A handful of other drivers, including four-time Indianapolis 500 presented Gainbridge winner Helio Castroneves, will be part of the field competing for a spot in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on Sunday, May 25 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. One-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson is another, and he will get a second shot at the “500” with Arrow McLaren. Three-time “500” pole winner Ed Carpenter will resume his owner/driver role with Ed Carpenter Racing during the Month of May. Ryan Hunter-Reay, Indy’s winner in 2014, also figures to be back with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing for a second year at IMS.
CHEVROLET TEAMS (14 CARS)
AJ Foyt Racing: Santino Ferrucci, David Malukas
Arrow McLaren: Christian Lundgaard, Pato O’Ward, Nolan Siegel
Ed Carpenter Racing: Christian Rasmussen, Alexander Rossi
Juncos Hollinger Racing: Two open seats
PREMA Racing: Callum Ilott, Robert Shwartzman*
Team Penske: Scott McLaughlin, Josef Newgarden, Will Power
HONDA TEAMS (13 CARS)
Andretti Global: Marcus Ericsson, Kyle Kirkwood, Colton Herta
Chip Ganassi Racing: Scott Dixon, Alex Palou, Kyffin Simpson
Dale Coyne Racing: Two open seats
Meyer Shank Racing: Marcus Armstrong, Felix Rosenqvist
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: Louis Foster*, Graham Rahal, one open seat
*Rookie