A press drive unit and press drive method are provided which decrease the cycle time of a press to improve its productivity, enable use of small-sized, inexpensive presses and provide improved product quality. To this end, the press drive unit comprises a drive shaft coupled to a slide through a specified power transmission mechanism; a first drive system for rotationally driving a flywheel with a main motor and driving the drive shaft through a clutch disposed between the flywheel and the drive shaft; and a second drive system for driving the drive shaft at variable speed with a sub motor. Driving is carried out with the first and second drive systems in a formation zone, and driving is carried out with the second drive system alone in a non-formation zone.