Formula 1’s unwillingness to take on extra teams may have helped sway Prema towards an exciting new opportunity in the United States with IndyCar, with the Italian outfit set to field two cars from next year.
It’s a shame to see another potentially great team opt to join another series, when they could have added a multitude of excitement and experience to the paddock.
The combination of Prema and Andretti joining and becoming the 11th and 12th teams in the sport would have helped to open up more seats at a time where there is a clear shortage of opportunities for young drivers.
Currently, their Formula 2 line-up consists of Oliver Bearman and Andrea Kimi Antonelli – two talents who could very well be on the grid in 2025.
However, with an extremely competitive driver market, there’s no guarantee that either will get the opportunity that their stellar junior careers warrant.
The move is something which has frustrated some who are knowledgeable about the value that a team like Prema could bring to the overall spectacle of the championship.
One fan said that the move is 'F1's loss, but IndyCar's gain'.
Even an IndyCar model shop has jumped on the bandwagon to shame the sport for their lack of interest in adding further teams.
Another fan urged Formula 1 to take a 'strong look at itself' after Prema made the announcement.
Very interesting. Prema is the second top-tier european junior team to try itself in IndyCar in the last few years(first was Carlin). In my opinion those are 2 teams that are F1's loss, but IndyCar's gain. https://t.co/rLHr9StuUf
— F1AlmostMovesandTransferRumours (@F1_AlmostMoves) April 9, 2024
This is fantastic news for @PREMA_Team and @IndyCar - @F1 needs a good strong look at itself because a generation ago Prema would have been entering F1 instead https://t.co/vkrARbJfAR