Israeli Rookie Robert Shwartzman Captures Pole for Indy 500
Robert Shwartzman, a 25-year-old rookie driver for PREMA Racing, stunned the motorsports world on Sunday by clinching pole position for the 109th Indianapolis 500. His four-lap average of 232.790 mph secured the top spot on the grid for the May 25 race, making him the first rookie to win the pole since 1983—and the first driver competing under the Israeli flag to lead the field in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Shwartzman was born in Tel Aviv to a Jewish family and moved with his parents to Saint Petersburg, Russia, as a child. He began kart racing at age 4 and quickly ascended the international ranks, ultimately joining the Ferrari Driver Academy and serving as a Formula 1 reserve driver. Though he previously raced under the Russian flag, he switched his sporting nationality to Israeli following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
PREMA Racing, an Italian team also making its IndyCar debut this year, arrived in Indianapolis with no experience on oval tracks. Shwartzman had minimal time in the car during early practice sessions and was not expected to qualify near the front. But a combination of steady car improvements and fearless driving propelled him through each round of qualifying and ultimately to pole position.
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“I was like, ‘This is a dream; it can’t be true,’” Shwartzman said. “The car felt amazing. I can’t thank PREMA and Chevy enough. Coming here for my first oval race, I never expected this.”
Following his historic run, Shwartzman used his platform to speak about the global conflicts that have touched both his birth country and the country where he was raised. “I just want peace in the world,” he said. “There is no bad or good country. We’re all human beings, and we just have to support each other.”
Shwartzman also noted the warm reception he has received from American fans, a contrast to what he described as a “tense” atmosphere in Europe. “Here, I feel really good with the fans,” he said. “This is special.”
With his pole win, Shwartzman not only made history for Israel but also delivered a broader message of unity on one of racing’s biggest stages.
