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A recruited driver celebrated an unlikely victory for Indianapolis 500 on Sunday.
While the Penske team was disqualified before the last two qualification cycles, Robert Shwartzman won the post.
The 25 -year -old led to Prema Racing and became the first Indy 500 recruit to qualify for the pole since 1983. Shwartzman, who has dual nationality in Israel and Russia, initially ran under the Russian flag. He is currently in competition under the Israeli flag, which makes Tel Aviv native the first pilot of Israel to do “the biggest spectacle of the race”.
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Robert Shwartzman’s driver from Prema Racing celebrates the Victory of the Pole for the Indy 500 during the quick qualification at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 18, 2025. (Grace Hollars / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Until Shwartzman’s victory, Teo Fabi was the last recruit to qualify for Indy 500 pole. By coincidence, he was Italian – just like Prema, which was also founded in 1983. Prema is created in Europe and races in the Formula 2 series. He made his debut in Indycar this season.
Prema is the first team that made its debut in Indy 500 to land on the post since Mayer Motor Racing put Tom Sneva in 1984.
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The event also marked the starting beginnings of Shwartzman on an oval. He said victory seemed to be a dream.
“Honestly, I feel like I was dreaming. I just did it in my dreams when I go, what it would feel to do such a good job in qualified,” he said. “It’s Indy 500. It’s the main race of the year. Honestly, it’s incredible.”
Prema Robert Shwartzman’s race pilot, # 83, reacts after organizing a winning time of the post on Sunday, May 18, 2025 during six rapid qualifications for the 109th series of Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Gary Mook / For Indystar / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Shwartzman had pursued a Formula 1 career and was part of the Ferrari development program as well as its 2021 reserve driver until the end of last season. Prema then caught it for his team of two cars.
Prema Robert Shwartzman’s race pilot, # 83, reacts after organizing a winning time of the post on Sunday, May 18, 2025 during six rapid qualifications for the 109th series of Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Bob Goshert / For Indystar / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
The post was first open for taking when the Penske team was disqualified by qualifying for an illegal modification on the cars of the Double Winner of the Defense of Indy 500, Josef Newgarden and Will Power. Then Scott McLaughlin destroyed his car in a Sunday morning accident during training.
The three Penske pilots all started in the front row last year, but will be the 10th, 11th and 12th in fourth row next weekend.
