Rene Rosin has recently arrived in the United States to witness a groundbreaking moment for his Prema Racing team at the Indianapolis 500. Although he was focused on his team’s efforts in Formula 2 and Formula 3 at Imola during the race weekend, the significance of his team’s securing the pole position with rookie driver Robert Shwartzman has deeply resonated with him.
Emotions ran high for Rosin, who admitted, “I still feel tears in my eyes, to be honest,” reflecting on their unexpected success. Prior to the event, he had set a modest goal for the team to qualify within the top 33, aiming to avoid ‘bump day.’ However, as the sessions progressed, he felt an unexplainable sense of optimism about their performance.
After an impressive run during qualifying, Shwartzman achieved a stunning lap speed of 233.1 mph, which visibly moved Rosin. “When it was Robert’s turn [in the Fast Six] I started shaking myself… I started crying,” he confessed, overwhelmed by the team’s achievement. The celebration continued when crew members returned from Imola, cheering and sharing a moment of triumph together.
The victory at such a prestigious event is remarkable, especially considering the challenges Prema faced as a new entrant in IndyCar. Significant behind-the-scenes changes, including staffing shifts, have contributed to the team’s preparedness. Notably, new hires like Robert Gue and Eric Leichtle, who has impressive credentials from SpaceX and Team Penske, played crucial roles in the team’s performance.
Rosin acknowledges Shwartzman’s qualifications, highlighting his previous battles during their time in Formula 2 against notable competitors such as Oscar Piastri, the reigning Formula 1 champion. The friendship and synergy within the team have been vital, with Rosin praising not just Shwartzman’s pole run but also teammate Callum Ilott’s commendable performance.
Looking ahead to the race, Rosin emphasizes the importance of strategy, pit stops, and Shwartzman’s driving to capitalize on their pole position. However, he relishes the moment of celebrating an “extraordinary” achievement regardless of the race outcome, aiming to enjoy the spectacle of the prestigious event.
In this context, Prema Racing’s success offers hope and excitement, demonstrating that determination and teamwork can yield remarkable results even in highly competitive environments like the Indianapolis 500.