Robert Shwartzman, PREMA Racing: Impressive Performance in Latest Formula 2 Race

Robert Shwartzman is a 25-year-old Israeli racer who joined the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as the number 83 driver for PREMA Racing. He has an impressive resume, including a Formula 3 Championship and experience as an F1 reserve driver before making the leap to IndyCar. With his technical precision and PREMA’s engineering excellence behind him, Shwartzman represents one of the most intriguing rookie prospects in the 2025 IndyCar field.

The reunion between Shwartzman and PREMA isn’t surprising considering their successful history together from 2018 to 2021. Their partnership has already yielded championships, and this new IndyCar venture marks PREMA’s ambitious entry into America’s premier open-wheel racing series. With nearly 2 million Instagram followers, Shwartzman brings not just talent but significant marketability to the grid.

As for his Indy 500 prospects this May, tempering expectations would be wise. First-time rookies rarely drink the milk, especially those still adapting to oval racing. However, PREMA’s methodical approach to racing preparation and Shwartzman’s quick learning curve could place him solidly in the top 15 with a realistic shot at Rookie of the Year honors—assuming their Chevrolet package delivers competitive pace on the Brickyard’s daunting 2.5-mile oval.

Early Life and Career of Robert Shwartzman

Robert Shwartzman’s journey to professional racing began at a remarkably young age in Tel Aviv. His rapid progression through karting ranks and formula racing series demonstrates his natural talent and dedication to motorsport.

Karting Beginnings

Born in Tel Aviv, Robert Shwartzman began karting at just four years old, developing a passion that would shape his future. By age seven, he was competing professionally, quickly showing exceptional talent behind the wheel.

The young Israeli driver moved to Russia during his childhood years, where he continued honing his skills on various karting circuits across Europe. His early results caught the attention of racing scouts and team managers.

Shwartzman’s karting days weren’t just about competing – they established his fundamental racing techniques, particularly his smooth driving style and exceptional race craft that would later become his trademark.

Transition to Formula Racing

Shwartzman made the leap to single-seaters with impressive confidence, working his way through the junior formula ranks. His partnership with PREMA Racing began in 2018, establishing what would become a long-standing and fruitful relationship.

His Formula 3 campaign with PREMA showed his true potential. Racing against highly competitive fields, Shwartzman demonstrated both raw speed and racing intelligence beyond his years.

The Israeli-Russian driver’s adaptability became evident as he mastered new tracks, car setups, and racing conditions. His methodical approach to learning and improving made him stand out among his contemporaries.

Formula 2 Success

Shwartzman’s Formula 2 campaign with PREMA Racing showcased his championship-caliber talents. His ability to manage tire degradation and fuel consumption – critical skills in F2 – translated into consistent podium finishes and race wins.

During this period, Shwartzman also connected with Scuderia Ferrari, joining their driver academy program. This relationship provided valuable mentorship and opened doors to F1 testing opportunities, further developing his technical abilities.

His Formula 2 performances proved he wasn’t just quick but also possessed the mental fortitude needed at higher levels. Shwartzman’s racecraft in wheel-to-wheel battles particularly impressed observers, combining aggression with calculated risk assessment.

Shwartzman’s Early Career Highlights
Born in Tel Aviv, began karting at age 4
Professional karting from age 7
Joined PREMA Racing in 2018
Strong performances in Formula 3
Formula 2 success with PREMA
Ferrari Driver Academy member

For the 2025 Indy 500, Shwartzman shows genuine dark horse potential. His technical precision and adaptability to new racing formats could surprise veterans on the oval. While rookies rarely win at Indianapolis, his endurance racing background may prove advantageous in the mentally and physically demanding 500-mile race.

Shwartzman with PREMA Racing

Robert Shwartzman’s relationship with PREMA Racing spans multiple championships and several years, creating one of the most successful driver-team partnerships in recent motorsport history. The Israeli driver has demonstrated remarkable versatility across different racing categories with the Italian outfit.

Dominance in Formula 2

Shwartzman’s time in Formula 2 with PREMA was nothing short of impressive. After climbing through the junior ranks, he joined PREMA’s F2 team in 2020 following his Formula 3 championship success with the same squad. The Russian-Israeli driver immediately made his presence felt.

In his rookie F2 season, Shwartzman claimed four race victories – more than any other driver that year. His ability to manage tire degradation and execute precision overtakes became his trademark in the category.

What made Shwartzman particularly dangerous was his Sunday race pace. While qualifying wasn’t always his strongest suit, his race craft consistently allowed him to move forward in the field.

By the end of his Formula 2 stint with PREMA, Shwartzman had established himself as one of the most complete drivers in the feeder series. His technical feedback and adaptability to different track conditions made him a valuable asset to the Italian team’s development program.

Advancement to World Endurance Championship

After his Formula 2 campaign, Shwartzman made the transition to endurance racing, eventually competing in the World Endurance Championship. This represented a significant shift from sprint racing to the grueling demands of long-distance motorsport.

Partnering with AF Corse, which shares technical connections with PREMA in the WEC program, Shwartzman demonstrated remarkable versatility. The switch from open-wheel machinery to GT prototypes typically challenges drivers, but he adapted with impressive speed.

His endurance racing stint showcased new dimensions of his talent – particularly his ability to maintain consistent pace over long stints while preserving equipment. Night driving, traffic management, and fuel conservation became new weapons in his racing arsenal.

Now making his INDYCAR debut with PREMA Racing in 2025, Shwartzman faces perhaps his greatest challenge yet. Despite early struggles at The Thermal Club, where he qualified 27th, his experience with PREMA suggests potential for rapid improvement toward midseason.

For the Indy 500, Shwartzman remains a dark horse rather than a favorite. His oval experience is limited, but his methodical approach to racing and PREMA’s engineering strength could make him a surprise top-10 contender by race end.

Role at Scuderia Ferrari

Robert Shwartzman’s tenure with the iconic Italian Formula 1 team has been marked by significant technical contributions and steadfast reliability as a backup driver. His experience with Ferrari has helped shape his racing career while providing valuable support to the team’s operations.

Reserve Driver Duties

Shwartzman was appointed as a test driver by Scuderia Ferrari in 2022, stepping into a crucial supporting role for the team’s primary drivers. As a reserve driver, his responsibilities included being ready to replace main drivers at a moment’s notice—a position requiring constant preparation and intimate knowledge of the car’s systems.

The Russian-Israeli racer made several Formula One free practice appearances during his tenure, demonstrating his ability to provide valuable feedback to engineers while maintaining competitive pace. These practice sessions allowed him to showcase his skills while contributing to the team’s development program.

His readiness to substitute for Charles Leclerc or his teammate when needed made him an essential part of Ferrari’s driver lineup, providing the team with a reliable safety net for unexpected situations.

Involvement in Development

Shwartzman’s technical feedback proved invaluable to Ferrari’s vehicle development program. His extensive testing work helped engineers fine-tune performance parameters and evaluate new components before implementation on race weekends.

Working alongside Ferrari’s engineering team, he participated in simulator sessions that aided in correlating virtual and real-world performance—a critical aspect of modern F1 development. His detailed input on handling characteristics and performance enhancements contributed to the team’s ongoing refinement efforts.

Before confirming his departure from Ferrari at the end of the 2024 season, Shwartzman balanced his duties between F1 testing and his role as a Ferrari Hypercar driver, gaining experience with the Ferrari 499P program that broadened his racing expertise across multiple disciplines.

Involvement in Endurance Racing

Robert Shwartzman has carved out a significant presence in endurance racing alongside his single-seater career, demonstrating versatility and skill across different racing disciplines. His experience in long-format racing has helped shape his racecraft and endurance capabilities.

Competing in the WEC with AF Corse

Shwartzman joined AF Corse for the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup in 2023, marking his serious entry into endurance racing. The Ferrari-backed team provided him with a competitive platform to showcase his talents beyond open-wheel racing.

His stint with AF Corse proved fruitful, culminating in an impressive win in the final round of the 2023 season. This victory highlighted his adaptability to GT machinery and endurance formats.

In 2024, Shwartzman continued his endurance journey in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), racing a Ferrari for AF Corse alongside Robert Kubica. The team competed in the hypercar category, facing stiff competition from manufacturers like Toyota, Porsche, and Peugeot.

The WEC experience has given Shwartzman valuable insights into tire management and fuel conservation – skills that translate well to his 2025 IndyCar campaign with PREMA.

Performance at Lone Star Le Mans

At the Lone Star Le Mans, Shwartzman demonstrated his growing prowess in endurance racing conditions. The Circuit of the Americas event served as a challenging test of his abilities in the hypercar category.

Facing the punishing Texas heat, Shwartzman showed remarkable consistency across his stints. His performance featured strong pace while maintaining mechanical sympathy – crucial for endurance success.

The multi-class traffic navigation at COTA showcased his spatial awareness and decision-making under pressure. These skills will prove valuable when dealing with backmarkers in IndyCar.

His collaboration with team strategists on pit timing and fuel strategies revealed a mature racing intellect. The Lone Star event particularly highlighted his night driving capabilities – maintaining pace as track temperatures dropped significantly.

Role in the Thermal Race Circuit

Shwartzman’s involvement at the Thermal Club private racetrack has been instrumental in his development as an all-around driver. The exclusive California circuit has served as a testing ground for his endurance capabilities.

He participated in private development sessions at Thermal with various GT machinery, refining his technique across different platform types. These experiences have broadened his adaptability, a quality that will serve him well with PREMA in IndyCar.

The Thermal testing programs focused on extended running to simulate race conditions. Shwartzman completed multiple race distances consecutively. This rigorous preparation has built his physical and mental stamina for both endurance and IndyCar racing.

Working with engineers at Thermal allowed fine-tuning of his feedback mechanisms and technical understanding. The private setting provided a controlled environment to push limits without public pressure, resulting in enhanced confidence with various car setups.

Participation in IndyCar Series

Robert Shwartzman has joined the IndyCar Series as a rookie driver for PREMA Racing in 2025. His transition marks a significant career shift from his European racing experience toward American open-wheel competition.

Transition to IndyCar

Shwartzman’s move to IndyCar represents a fresh chapter after his time in the Formula development ladder. The Russian-Israeli driver has signed with PREMA Racing to pilot the No. 83 Chevrolet, joining teammate Callum Ilott in what forms a completely new two-car program for the Italian racing outfit.

This isn’t entirely unfamiliar territory for Shwartzman, who previously raced with PREMA from 2018 to 2021 in various developmental championships, building a strong working relationship with the team. His appointment completes PREMA’s driver lineup as they make their ambitious entry into America’s premier open-wheel series.

The transition has required significant adaptation, particularly to oval racing which doesn’t exist in European feeder series. In March 2025, Shwartzman completed his first oval test at Nashville Superspeedway. He logged an impressive 168 laps as he worked to understand the unique demands of circular tracks.

Performance and Challenges

Shwartzman’s early IndyCar performances have shown promising speed mixed with the expected rookie learning curve. His technical feedback, honed during his years as a Ferrari test driver, has proven valuable to PREMA’s engineering team as they build their IndyCar program from scratch.

The greatest challenges have come from adapting to IndyCar’s lack of power steering and the physical demands of the diverse circuit types. Street courses particularly require a different approach than the European tracks Shwartzman mastered in his formative years.

Shwartzman’s IndyCar Adaptation Areas
Oval racing techniques
Car setup for diverse American tracks
No power steering physical demands
Race strategy differences

Regarding Indianapolis 500 potential, Shwartzman shows promise but faces steep odds. His methodical approach to learning oval racing demonstrates the right mindset, but his rookie status combined with PREMA’s newcomer team position makes a 2025 victory unlikely. A top-15 finish would represent a strong showing for both driver and team at this early stage.

Associations and Notable Teammates

Robert Shwartzman has forged significant professional relationships throughout his racing career, connecting him with influential teams and drivers who have shaped his path to IndyCar.

Collaboration with Sauber

Shwartzman’s connection with Sauber represents an important chapter in his development as a racing driver. Before joining Prema Racing for IndyCar, he served as a test driver for Ferrari, maintaining connections with the Sauber F1 operation that helped refine his skills.

Working alongside experienced drivers like Robert Kubica gave Shwartzman valuable insights into the technical aspects of high-performance racing. The Russian-Israeli driver spent considerable time in simulator sessions for the team, contributing to vehicle development while absorbing knowledge from established professionals.

His technical feedback earned respect within Sauber’s engineering departments. This relationship helped bridge his transition from the Ferrari Driver Academy to his current IndyCar role, building a reputation for precise driving and analytical abilities.

Partnerships with Fellow Drivers

Shwartzman’s most significant current partnership is with Callum Ilott at Prema Racing. They form a promising duo for the team’s 2025 IndyCar campaign. Their complementary styles create a balanced team approach. Shwartzman brings technical precision while Ilott contributes IndyCar experience.

Previously, Shwartzman shared team space with Charles Leclerc during their development years. Both demonstrated exceptional talent in junior categories. Their paths diverged, but the mutual respect remained intact.

His relationship with Zhou Guanyu dates back to their Formula racing days. Both drivers navigated similar career trajectories from European racing to broader international competition.

The Shwartzman-Ilott pairing at Prema has moderate Indy 500 potential for 2025:

Driver	Experience	Strengths	Indy 500 Potential
Shwartzman	Rookie	Technical precision, adaptability	Medium-low (rookie status)
Ilott	3 seasons	Circuit knowledge, consistency	Medium (improving trajectory)