OK, let’s get this out of the way: PREMA Racing isn’t messing around.
The team that has dominated European junior formula racing is entering the NTT INDYCAR SERIES for the first time this season, and it could be one of the most auspicious debuts in recent memory, if results from a private test Jan. 28 along with Andretti Global and Dale Coyne Racing at The Thermal Club are any indication.
While times and speeds are not officially released from private tests, various media reports and social media feeds have given an opportunity to try to make some itemized deductions:
PREMA on the Pace
There’s always curiosity when a team joins the NTT INDYCAR SERIES from other series. Some, such as Meyer Shank Racing, have evolved into winning INDYCAR outfits. Others, such as European single-seat dominator Carlin, arrived with a splash and eventually left without success.
PREMA appears to have done its homework entering this season, even despite the quick, unexpected departure of the experienced wizard Michael Cannon as head of engineering this month before the season even started.
Marcus Ericsson of Andretti Global led the test, with teammate Kyle Kirkwood less than a tenth of a second behind. But the big surprise was rookie Robert Shwartzman, an FIA Formula 3 champion with PREMA who also raced for the team in FIA Formula 2, who was right on the pace in his first time behind the wheel of an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car since he tested with Chip Ganassi Racing in January 2023.
Shwartzman was third overall among the six drivers testing, only .175 of a second behind Ericsson’s best lap.
While it could be a stretch to see Shwartzman win the pole in his series debut like Robert Wickens did in 2018 at St. Petersburg, the Israeli-Russian driver looks like he will be one of the more competitive rookies in the series in recent years.
The same can be said for his team.
Shwartzman turned 54 laps and teammate Callum Ilott made 50 laps around the Southern California circuit that will host its first points-paying NTT INDYCAR SERIES race Sunday, March 23. That’s in the same neighborhood of laps that all three Andretti Global drivers and Dale Coyne Racing driver Jacob Abel turned Tuesday, indicating teething pains were minimal.
Ilott suffered some new car glitches during the morning but ended up fourth overall, less than a tenth behind teammate Shwartzman.
Ericsson Rebound Underway?
There’s no question that slimming its fleet from four to three cars helped Andretti Global last season, as Colton Herta finished a career-best second and Kirkwood placed a career-best seventh in the final standings.
But 2024 team newcomer Ericsson didn’t enjoy the same bounty in his first year with the team. He ended up 15th in points after finishing sixth in each of the prior three seasons with Chip Ganassi Racing, with just one podium finish – second at Detroit.
Ericsson focused on adding muscle to his physique during the offseason, as INDYCAR SERIES cars lack the power steering found in nearly every other major series’ racing machines. He also admitted he’s a slow starter when arriving at new teams, almost always improving in his second year.
So far, so good.
Ericsson turned 60 laps and led by .080 of a second over Kirkwood. Teammate Herta was fifth, .269 of a second behind Ericsson after leading for most of the morning portion of the test.
Abel Settles In at Coyne
Jacob Abel sampled the No. 51 Dale Coyne Honda he will drive as a rookie this season, continuing to learn more about the team and car.
Abel ended up slowest of the six drivers, 1.4 seconds behind Ericsson. But that wasn’t the point of this test.
INDY NXT by Firestone graduate Abel was getting used to pit stops, in and out laps, communicating with the small but experienced Coyne team. It was more of a “getting to know you” than “let’s go fast,” so mission accomplished.
Up Next
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES season starts Sunday, March 2 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. But fans and series observers will get a chance to size up the full field before St. Pete weekend during an Open Test on Feb. 17-18 at Sebring (Florida) International Raceway.