End of an era: the Rosin family's departure marks the beginning of Prema Racing's most uncertain chapter

It marks the end of one of motorsport's most storied family legacies. The Rosin family has departed from Prema Racing—the organization they founded in 1983 and transformed into one of junior single-seater racing's most revered institutions. Angelo Rosin established the team alongside his wife Grazia Troncon, while their son René and Angelina Ertsou have steered day-to-day operations for years. All three have now stepped away, bringing what many observers feared would never come to pass: Prema without the Rosins.

The news—announced internally at the beginning of the week—reportedly moved those who heard it to tears. For many within the paddock, it feels surreal. Prema has been synonymous with the Rosin family name for over four decades, representing continuity, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to developing racing talent across multiple generations.

A legacy built on structure and foresight

When Angelo Rosin founded Prema in the Veneto region of Italy, he established a philosophy that would define the organization for the next 43 years. Rather than pursuing aggressive expansion, the Rosins prioritized long-term driver development, structural integrity, and sustainable growth. This approach proved remarkably prescient. Over four decades, Prema accumulated more than seventy driver and team championship titles across multiple formula categories.

The team's footprint extends far beyond statistics. Among the nine current Formula 1 drivers who developed through Prema's program are Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman, and Arvid Lindblad—recent examples of a pipeline that has become motorsport's gold standard. Others who cut their teeth at Prema's Grisignano di Zocco headquarters include Charles Leclerc, Esteban Ocon, and Jules Bianchi. The organization functioned not merely as a racing team, but as a mentor factory—one where drivers formed lasting relationships with the Rosin family that extended well beyond their time on track.

Navigating ownership transitions without losing identity

What made the Rosins' tenure particularly remarkable was their ability to guide Prema through substantial ownership changes while maintaining its cultural identity. Between 2015 and 2021, Lawrence Stroll controlled the team through a company linked to his broader business interests. During this period, Prema orchestrated his son Lance's entire single-seater trajectory—from post-karting to his Formula 1 debut—without compromising the organization's foundational values.

In 2021, DC Racing Solutions Ltd., a Swiss-based company led by Deborah Mayer, assumed majority control. Under this new ownership structure, Prema expanded its scope dramatically. The team launched programs in the FIA World Endurance Championship, the European Le Mans Series, and most significantly, entered IndyCar in 2025, claiming pole position for the Indianapolis 500 with rookie Robert Shwartzman.

Yet throughout these transitions, the Rosin family remained closely involved—a stabilizing force that preserved continuity during an era of intensifying professionalism in junior motorsport.

Unanswered questions and organizational uncertainty

What makes the Rosins' departure particularly consequential is that no official reasons have been disclosed. However, underlying tensions appear to have accumulated. The team faced significant operational challenges during its IndyCar debut, with reports of unpaid bills surfacing. Additionally, Prema reportedly took Lamborghini—a technical partner on the Lamborghini LMDh project—to court over a data breach.

The timing raises critical questions across multiple dimensions:

For current drivers: Paying drivers and their backers have invested substantial cumulative fees for 2026 seats at Prema. While contracts bear the team's name, the institutional knowledge and advisory relationships with the Rosins represented considerable value.

For team personnel: Staff at the Vicenza headquarters learned of the departure through press reports rather than internal communication, signaling organizational disruption. Uncertainty regarding leadership succession could precipitate departures among key technical personnel.

For IndyCar operations: The Rosin family has been integral to the team's North American expansion, with René serving as Team Principal. Whether Prema can sustain its IndyCar program—which includes drivers Callum Ilott and Robert Shwartzman—remains open to question without their leadership.

The immeasurable loss of institutional memory

Beyond operational challenges lies a more intangible loss. The Rosins built Prema's reputation on relationships that transcended conventional team-driver dynamics. Two years ago, the organization celebrated its 40th anniversary in Venice, welcoming sixty former drivers from around the world. This gathering epitomized what set Prema apart: drivers remained connected to the organization decades after their departure, seeking counsel from the Rosins as trusted advisors throughout their careers.

René and Angelina's accessibility—answering calls from drivers navigating F1 contracts, career decisions, and personal challenges—created a support network unmatched in junior motorsport. This institutional culture cannot be easily replicated or transferred.

What lies ahead

Prema Racing will almost certainly continue operating across its Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula Regional, and Formula 4 programs. The team's infrastructure, technical expertise, and competitive resources remain intact. However, the departure of the Rosin family marks a fundamental transition in organizational identity.

Under new leadership—presumably directed by DC Racing Solutions and Deborah Mayer—the question is not whether Prema survives, but what Prema becomes. The team has weathered ownership transitions before, but never without the family that shaped its values at the foundation.

As for the Rosins themselves, their departure will almost certainly generate significant industry interest. Their combination of technical acumen, driver development expertise, and trusted relationships suggests they will be in considerable demand if they choose to remain active in motorsport.

For now, the paddock waits for clarity on a new chapter that nobody anticipated writing. Prema Racing will endure, but the legendary team that the Rosin family built across 43 years will indeed never be quite the same again.