PREMA Racing’s IndyCar rookie Robert Shwartzman revealed that he personally requested Josef Newgarden’s former race engineer, Eric Leichtle, to remain with the team following his impressive pole position at the 2025 Indy 500. Shwartzman credited the collaboration with Leichtle for his standout qualifying performance during last month’s race.
Shwartzman confirmed in a recent interview at the World Wide Technology Raceway that Leichtle will serve as his engineer for all oval-track events throughout the 2025 IndyCar season. He expressed the importance of having Leichtle’s experience and support as he continues to adapt to this new racing environment.
The rookie openly admitted that he strongly urged Leichtle to stay and assist him in feeling more comfortable within the IndyCar series.
“Well, I think what we have agreed at this stage is he’s gonna do all the oval races. That’s very important for me, I’m really happy, like you know, I called him after the Indy 500 race, and you know, we did an incredible job there in qualifying, you know, it was unbelievable. Also I was like please I beg you sort of in a way,” Shwartzman said (3:24 onwards).
Despite securing pole position for the 2025 Indy 500, Shwartzman’s race ended prematurely due to contact on lap 87, preventing him from completing the full 200 laps. This setback, however, has not diminished his enthusiasm for oval racing as the season progresses.
Shwartzman Anticipates His Next Oval Challenge
As a newcomer to America’s premier open-wheel racing series, Robert Shwartzman is still gaining experience on oval circuits, which presents a steep learning curve. During the same IndyCar interview, he shared his eagerness for the upcoming oval race at the World Wide Technology Raceway, a track he has already tested on before.
Looking ahead, Shwartzman expressed his excitement for the second oval race of his IndyCar career.
“Sort of like on this day it’s going to be rainy, it’s going to be a very long day. Yeah we’ll see how the programme is gonna go, if something is gonna change, if they’re gonna swap, something for tomorrow, I don’t know, but honestly, I’m just looking forward for this race,” Shwartzman added (0:48 onwards).
Currently, after seven rounds in the 2025 IndyCar series, Shwartzman holds 79 points and sits 22nd in the driver standings. He trails slightly behind Arrow McLaren’s Nolan Siegel, who has accrued 93 points in the same number of races. To date, Shwartzman has yet to achieve finishes within the top five or top ten, highlighting the challenges faced by a rookie in a highly competitive field.
Round eight of the season will be the Bommarito Automotive Group 500, held at the World Wide Technology Raceway on Sunday, June 15. Given Shwartzman’s remarkable qualifying showing at the Indy 500, many will be watching closely to see how he performs at this upcoming oval race driving the No. 83 Chevrolet entry.
