Who Is Robert Shwartzman, Winner of the Indianapolis 500 Pole?

In a stunning upset that has sent shockwaves through the motorsport world, rookie driver Robert Shwartzman claimed the pole position for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, set to take place on May 25, 2025, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Shwartzman, a 25-year-old driver from Israel with Russian roots, achieved this remarkable feat in his first-ever oval race, driving for the rookie IndyCar team Prema Racing. His four-lap average speed of 232.790 mph during the Firestone Fast Six qualifying session on May 18, 2025, outpaced seasoned veterans and former Indy 500 winners, marking him as the first rookie to win the Indy 500 pole since Teo Fabi in 1983.

From Russia to Israel: Shwartzman’s Early Life and Racing Roots

Robert Shwartzman was born on September 16, 1999, in Tel Aviv, Israel, but spent much of his childhood in Russia, holding dual citizenship. His passion for racing ignited at a young age, inspired by the high-octane world of motorsport. Shwartzman began karting at the age of five, quickly showing promise in local and international competitions.

His family’s support was instrumental, with his father, Mikhail, playing a significant role in nurturing his talent until his passing in 2020. Shwartzman’s karting career laid a strong foundation for his progression through the junior formula ranks.

By 2014, he was competing in the Italian Formula 4 Championship, where he secured multiple podiums. His breakthrough came in 2018 when he won the European Formula 3 Championship with Prema Racing, a dominant season that showcased his precision and speed. This success propelled him to the FIA Formula 2 Championship, where he claimed the 2019 title, again with Prema, cementing his reputation as a prodigious talent.

Despite his achievements, Shwartzman faced challenges breaking into Formula 1. He joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2017, serving as a test and reserve driver for Scuderia Ferrari and later Haas F1 Team. However, limited opportunities in F1 led him to explore other racing avenues.

In 2024, Shwartzman transitioned to IndyCar, joining Prema Racing’s ambitious new venture into the series. His lack of oval racing experience made his Indy 500 pole win all the more astonishing, as he had never competed on an oval track before the 2025 season.

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Shwartzman’s multicultural background has also shaped his public persona. After winning the Indy 500 pole, he used his platform to call for peace in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, reflecting his Israeli-Russian heritage and a desire to promote unity. This gesture resonated with fans and added depth to his emerging narrative as a driver with both talent and a conscience.

The Improbable Journey to Indy 500 Pole

Robert Shwartzman’s pole position at the 2025 Indianapolis 500 is a story of defying odds and overcoming adversity. Prema Racing, a powerhouse in European open-wheel racing, entered IndyCar as a rookie team in 2025, facing the daunting challenge of competing against established teams like Team Penske and Arrow McLaren.

Early in the Indy 500 practice sessions, Prema struggled, with Shwartzman’s car languishing at the bottom of the time sheets. Mechanical issues, including cars catching fire earlier in the season, further hampered their preparations.

Yet, Shwartzman and Prema turned their fortunes around during the qualifying weekend of May 17-18, 2025. The Indy 500 qualifying format is notoriously grueling, with drivers completing four consecutive laps around the 2.5-mile oval, and the top six advancing to the Firestone Fast Six to compete for pole.

Robert Shwartzman’s initial qualifying run on Saturday secured him a spot in the top 12, setting the stage for Sunday’s showdown. In the Fast Six, he delivered a flawless performance, averaging 232.790 mph to edge out two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato (232.478 mph) and Pato O’Ward (232.098 mph).

Shwartzman’s pole win was particularly remarkable given the context. He outpaced a field that included IndyCar heavyweights like Scott Dixon, Felix Rosenqvist, and Alex Palou, all of whom qualified in the top six.

Meanwhile, Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden and Will Power, both former Indy 500 winners, were relegated to the back of the grid after their cars failed technical inspections for illegal modifications. This opened the door for Shwartzman’s improbable triumph, but his speed and composure under pressure were undeniable.

In post-qualifying interviews, Robert Shwartzman expressed disbelief at his achievement, saying, “Honestly, it feels like I’m dreaming. It’s the Indy 500. It’s the main race of the year. Honestly, it feels unbelievable.” His humility and raw emotion endeared him to fans, who were captivated by the underdog story of a rookie driver and team conquering the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

What Shwartzman’s Pole Win Means for the 2025 Indy 500

Shwartzman’s pole position sets the stage for an electrifying 2025 Indianapolis 500, a race already steeped in drama and unpredictability. Starting from the front, Shwartzman will lead a 33-car field that includes seasoned champions like Sato, O’Ward, and Dixon, as well as NASCAR star Kyle Larson, who will start 21st in his second Indy 500 attempt.

The race, scheduled for 12:45 p.m. ET on May 25, 2025, is expected to draw a sellout crowd of over 250,000, the second such occurrence in the event’s 109-year history. However, pole position does not guarantee victory. The Indianapolis 500 is a 200-lap endurance test, where strategy, pit stops, and hybrid technology—introduced formally in 2025—will play critical roles.

Shwartzman’s lack of oval experience could be a hurdle, but his qualifying performance suggests he has adapted quickly to the high-speed demands of the 2.5-mile oval. Prema Racing’s preparation will also be under scrutiny, as the team must prove it can execute a race strategy as effectively as it did in qualifying.

Shwartzman’s win has also sparked broader conversations about the future of IndyCar. His success as a rookie, alongside Prema’s debut, highlights the series’ accessibility to new talent and teams. It also underscores the unpredictability of the Indy 500, where a newcomer can upstage veterans on one of motorsport’s biggest stages.

Posts on X have hailed Robert Shwartzman’s pole as “one of the biggest upsets in motorsports history,” reflecting the sentiment that his achievement is a defining moment for the sport.

Moreover, Shwartzman’s victory carries cultural significance. As an Israeli-born driver raised in Russia, his call for peace resonates in a world grappling with geopolitical tensions. His ability to bridge personal achievement with a broader message adds a layer of gravitas to his story, making him a figure to watch both on and off the track.

Robert Shwartzman’s pole position for the 2025 Indianapolis 500 is a testament to talent, perseverance, and the magic of the Indy 500, where anything can happen. From his karting days in Russia to his Formula 2 championship and now his IndyCar breakthrough, Shwartzman has proven himself a driver of immense potential.

His partnership with Prema Racing, a team that mirrored his underdog journey, has already rewritten the script of what’s possible in IndyCar. As the racing world turns its eyes to Indianapolis on May 25, 2025, Shwartzman will carry the hopes of fans inspired by his improbable rise.

Whether he can convert his pole into a victory remains to be seen, but his name is already etched in Indy 500 history as the rookie who stunned the world. For now, Robert Shwartzman’s story is one of dreams realized, and the motorsport community eagerly awaits the next chapter in his remarkable career.