Prema Racing group principal Rene Rosin has confirmed that he’s had talks with Williams Method 1 racer Logan Sargeant about becoming a member of his new IndyCar group subsequent 12 months.
Essentially the most profitable junior group of latest years on the European single-seater ladder will make its debut in America’s premier open-wheel series in 2025, operating two vehicles.
American Sargeant, 23, raced with Prema in Method 3 in Europe in 2020, ending third within the championship behind present McLaren F1 driver Oscar Piastri and just lately dropped Arrow McLaren IndyCar driver Theo Pourchaire.
“We have now recognized him some time,” Rosin informed Autosport of Sargeant. “We’re speaking, however from the motive force aspect we aren’t actually fascinated about discussing now a lot, as a result of I’ve been concentrating on build up the group within the type that all of us need, and drivers can be on the second stage.”
On the launch of the squad in April, Rosin mentioned he wished his group to “be aggressive proper from the phrase go” and have a driver lineup comprising “an skilled driver and, in fact, one rookie”.
When requested about different Prema alumnus Callum Ilott, who has two full seasons of IndyCar competitors beneath his belt with Juncos Hollinger Racing in 2022-’23, Rosin additionally indicated his curiosity.
“To be sincere, he’s one of many drivers that I might say is… I don’t say on our listing, however is for positive any individual attention-grabbing,” he mentioned. “ his expertise and the earlier years that he raced with us and towards us.
Callum Ilott, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
Photograph by: Josh Tons / Motorsport Images
“However nonetheless too early to debate about drivers from my viewpoint. On daily basis I hear one thing totally different!”
One other driver who’s just lately in the marketplace is the 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner Alexander Rossi, who will leave Arrow McLaren at the end of the season, information to which Rosin quipped: “I heard this!”
Piers Phillips will head up Prema’s U.S. operation as its IndyCar CEO, following spells at Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and the group can be based mostly in Indiana.
“A month in the past we began our work within the manufacturing facility,” mentioned Rosin. “We’ll obtain the primary two vehicles in a single week’s time kind of, in order that has been the precedence primary for us, along with securing the group for the best place we are able to.
“We’ll then begin wanting extra deeply at drivers. There may be numerous contact, however in the mean time they’re simply contacts – not more than that.”
Sargeant’s future in F1 has been in query since he was introduced as Alex Albon’s team-mate for 2023. He scored his solely level in 32 begins at america Grand Prix final season, and his finest consequence this 12 months was 14th in Saudi Arabia.
“I’m specializing in my job, profiting from what I’ve beneath me,” mentioned Sargeant when requested about his future this week. “I’m exploring all choices inside and out of doors of F1 in the mean time. Choices are open.
“I’ve been listening to hypothesis for 18 months, I in the end know what’s occurring behind the scenes, and ultimately, I really feel I’ve been driving very well. My objective is to maintain doing that.”
Requested on the British GP at present when he thinks his future can be determined, Sargeant replied: “I do not know.”