Romain Grosjean will not receive a cockpit in the 2025 IndyCar season – the former Formula 1 driver will take on the role of reserve driver at Prema
One of Formula 1’s most successful junior teams will make its IndyCar debut in 2025. Italian outfit Prema, which has established itself in Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula Regional Open and Formula 4, is now building up a further mainstay in the USA and will compete in the IndyCar there. The drivers are Robert Shwartzman and Callum Ilott, and former Formula One driver Romain Grosjean has been signed as a reserve driver.
Grosjean switched to IndyCar after the 2020 Formula 1 season, in which he had his horrific crash in Bahrain, where he first drove for Dale Coyne, then for Andretti and most recently for Juncos Hollinger full-time. The 38-year-old was unable to find a cockpit for the 2025 season and must now settle for the role of reserve driver at Prema.
Grosjean will certainly help Prema to quickly gain a foothold in the championship with his experience. The team was founded in 1983 by Angelo Rosin. Big names such as 1997 Formula One world champion and Indy 500 winner Jacques Villeneuve and IndyCar drivers Ryan Briscoe, Felix Rosenqvist, Marcus Armstrong and Ilott have already driven for Prema in the junior classes. They are joined by Formula One stars such as Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly.
With Grosjean in their ranks, Prema wants to accelerate the learning curve, because the ex-Formula 1 driver will not just be on the bench and fill in if necessary. He will also spend a lot of time in the simulator, working on the setup of the car and giving the engineers input on how the IndyCar car should feel. He will also act as a mentor to his two younger teammates.
Another plus point is that Grosjean is a big name in motorsport, from whom Prema can also benefit economically. He is well known in the USA from his time in the IndyCar Series and is always good for entertainment. In 2025, Prema will be the eleventh team in the IndyCar series, the highest number since 2018. The Italians will certainly work hard to make a mark in their first season.
