“OFFICIAL” Legend Michael Andretti will buy PREMA Racing on his podcast and many big changes to compete for the championship in 2027

In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the motorsport world, racing icon Michael Andretti has officially announced his intention to acquire PREMA Racing, the Italian powerhouse known for its dominance in junior formulas. The revelation came during a candid episode of Andretti’s personal podcast, “Andretti Unleashed,” where the 63-year-old legend laid out his vision for a triumphant return to the pinnacle of American open-wheel racing. Speaking from his home in Indianapolis on October 18, 2025, Andretti didn’t mince words: “This is official—I’m buying PREMA. It’s time to build something unstoppable, starting right here in the heart of IndyCar and pushing all the way to the top in 2027.”

For fans who have followed Andretti’s rollercoaster journey, this move feels like poetic justice. The son of Formula One champion Mario Andretti stepped away from his namesake team, Andretti Global, earlier this year amid a high-profile restructuring that saw business partner Dan Towriss take the reins. That departure came after a bruising battle to enter Formula 1, where Andretti’s bid—backed by General Motors under the Cadillac banner—was ultimately approved for 2026 but without his direct involvement. “I’ve poured my soul into racing for decades,” Andretti said on the podcast, his voice steady but laced with emotion. “From CART championships to Indy 500 heartbreaks, I’ve learned that the best comebacks are the ones you fight for yourself. PREMA isn’t just a team; it’s a dynasty waiting to be unleashed on IndyCar.”

PREMA Racing, founded in 1983 by Angelo Rosin and later propelled to global fame under René Rosin’s leadership, has long been the gold standard in talent development. The team has nurtured future F1 stars like Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, and Kimi Antonelli, racking up countless titles in Formula 2 and Formula 3. Their foray into IndyCar last year was ambitious but rocky—entering as a non-chartered team with Chevrolet power, PREMA struggled with financial headwinds and inconsistent results in their debut 2025 season. Based in a state-of-the-art 100,000-square-foot facility in Fishers, Indiana—just down the road from the Cadillac F1 setup—the team showed flashes of brilliance but failed to secure a podium, finishing mid-pack amid whispers of investor fatigue.

Andretti’s acquisition, valued at an estimated $45 million according to sources close to the deal, injects not just capital but Andretti’s unmatched expertise. “PREMA has the bones of a champion,” he explained on the podcast. “But to win in IndyCar, you need American grit mixed with European precision. That’s what I’m bringing.” The deal, finalized after months of secretive negotiations, excludes PREMA’s existing charter status, meaning the team will still race as a non-guaranteed entry in 2026. However, Andretti is already lobbying IndyCar officials for an expansion slot, leveraging his deep ties to series founder Tony George and current CEO Mark Miles.

What makes this announcement truly seismic are the sweeping changes Andretti outlined for a 2027 championship assault. First on the agenda: a complete overhaul of the team’s technical infrastructure. Drawing from his Andretti Global playbook, he’ll integrate hybrid simulation tech from Silverstone, where his F1 project maintains a cutting-edge wind tunnel. “We’re talking AI-driven aero modeling and real-time data analytics that will shave seconds off our laps,” Andretti boasted. PREMA’s existing 4500-square-meter UK base will become a transatlantic hub, funneling junior talent directly into IndyCar seats while feeding the Cadillac F1 pipeline.

Driver lineup is another bombshell. Andretti confirmed he’s in advanced talks with two-time IndyCar champion Josef Newgarden, who’s reportedly chafing under Team Penske’s dominance after a controversial 2025 season marred by penalties. “Josef’s a winner, plain and simple,” Andretti said. “Pair him with a young gun like our PREMA F2 standout Dino Beganovic, and we’ve got fireworks.” Beganovic, the 20-year-old Swede who’s leading the 2025 F2 standings, represents the fresh blood Andretti craves. Rounding out the duo could be a surprise veteran return: whispers suggest Alex Palou, disillusioned at Chip Ganassi Racing, might jump ship for a multi-year deal loaded with equity.

On the business front, Andretti’s not stopping at the track. He’s forging partnerships that could redefine team ownership in IndyCar. A rumored alliance with Italian luxury brand Ferrari—stemming from their existing junior program ties—promises enhanced engine tuning and sponsorship firepower. “Ferrari sees the value in American expansion,” Andretti hinted. “This isn’t just about wins; it’s about global branding.” Financially, the buyout stabilizes PREMA’s books, with Andretti committing $20 million upfront for upgrades, including a new dyno facility in Fishers and expanded marketing arms targeting U.S. millennials through esports and AR experiences.

Critics might scoff at the non-charter hurdle, but Andretti views it as motivation. “Back in the CART days, we built empires from scratch,” he recalled. “No handouts, just hunger. 2026 will be our proving ground—qualifying for every race, stealing podiums. By 2027, with the new Dallara chassis rolling out, we’ll be the team to beat.” Industry insiders, including veteran journalist Marshall Pruett—who first floated the rumor on his “Off Track with Closer” podcast—echo this optimism. “Michael’s got unfinished business,” Pruett told listeners. “PREMA was adrift; now it’s anchored to a legend.”

The motorsport community is buzzing. On social media, #AndrettiPREMA trended worldwide within hours of the podcast drop, with F1 stars like Piastri tweeting congratulations and IndyCar purists debating the power shift. For a series that’s seen its share of drama—from Penske’s acquisition to McLaren’s resurgence—Andretti’s gambit feels like a shot in the arm. As IndyCar eyes its 2027 hybrid era, complete with sustainable fuels and boosted international broadcasts, PREMA under Andretti could bridge the Atlantic divide, luring European talent stateside while elevating the series’ global profile.

At its core, this is a story of redemption. Michael Andretti, once the face of open-wheel division, returns not as a sidelined mogul but as a hands-on architect. “I’ve won everywhere but the one place that matters most to me,” he confided on the podcast, eyes misty. “IndyCar’s my home. 2027? That’s our year.” Whether it’s the roar of the Borg-Warner Trophy or the sting of another near-miss, one thing’s clear: with Andretti at the wheel, PREMA’s just getting started. The championship chase has a new predator in town—and it’s wearing green and white.