Prema happy with her first IndyCar tests at the Thermal Club

“It was a memorable day for Prema.” The words used to start the press release are not overused. This Wednesday, January 29 will remain as an important date in the history of René Rosin's team. At the Thermal Club (South Carolina), Prema participated in a test session organized with Andretti and Dale Coyne Racing, a little over a month before the start of the season.Indycar in St. Petersburg, Florida, on March 2.

Callum Ilott and Robert Shwartzman, the team's two drivers, took to the track at the wheel of their new car under the South Carolina sun. Prema was able to test several different settings to understand the handling and behavior of the car, but also to work on race procedures, including pit stops in preparation for the first round of the year.

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Just like the first day of school 🎒🏫 pic.twitter.com/vNXYQAw7w1

- PREMA (@PREMA_Team) January 28, 2025

More than 100 laps on the clock for the Prema drivers

“The goal was to be on the pace as quickly as possible because in Indycar we don't have many test days.” explains Robert Shwartzman. We had a few small problems, but we solved them. In the afternoon we followed the program and everything went well. It's been a while since I've driven in a car that was so fun and enjoyable to drive." rejoices the Russo-Israeli, who discovers the category after his time in WEC last season with AF Corse. “The feeling is really very positive. We have been working to be ready for the start of the season and the second race here at Thermal. It should be interesting.”

With more than 100 laps completed in total, the two drivers have managed to find their bearings to perform well when they come to the Thermal Club on March 23. "We had a lot of things to work on, like any first day of testing, and this good start gives us a good starting point." confirms Callum Ilott. “We’ve been working on building a good baseline, tweaking and optimizing every little thing, to see what’s a good idea and what’s not. There will be some areas to improve and others where we’re performing well. We just have to keep the momentum going and everything will be fine.”

The best time of the day was achieved by Marcus Ericsson in 1'40”136, but Robert Shwartzman and Callum Ilott did not disgrace themselves by finishing respectively at 0”175 and 0”247, in particular ahead of Colton Herta (+0”269).

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