Photo: YACademy WS
Andretti Global junior Sebastian Wheldon has signed with Prema for a Formula 4 programme in 2025 that will feature at least three series.
The 15-year-old son of the late Dan Wheldon, the 2005 IndyCar champion and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, recently joined Prema for the finale of the United Arab Emirates-based and F4-spec Formula Trophy series and victory from pole in race one then fourth in race put him ninth in the standings despite missing over two thirds of the season.
Next year he will race full-time in Italian F4 and E4 (previously known as Euro 4), and also appear in other F4 series. Prema will announce additions to his programme at a later date.
“I feel very excited about joining Prema and want to thank [sponsor] Gainbridge for the continued support. It will be a new experience for me to race on the European circuit and I can’t wait for the season to start.”
Wheldon was champion in the F4-spec Skip Barber Formula Race Series in 2023, earning him a $100,000 scholarship to spend on a USF Juniors seat. He signed with Velocity Racing Development and kicked off 2024 by becoming YACademy Winter Series runner-up with one win and three other podiums. He followed that up with fourth in the USF Juniors standings, winning four races, claiming five other podiums and two poles.
“Sebastian is a very welcome addition to our team,” said Prema’s founder Angelo Rosin, who has recently brought his team to the USA to race in IndyCar next year.
“He had his karting career and made his first starts in the United States, so he was not really on the radar for European racing, and when we first saw him into action, he was very impressive. He will start from good foundations and we are sure we will work up from there. We enjoyed working together so far and we are sure there are positive steps to come.”