Robert Shwartzman, the PREMA Racing driver, has dismissed harmful rumors claiming he was unhappy during his rookie season in IndyCar. The Israeli–Russian racer made his first appearance in the top American open-wheel series in 2025, competing with PREMA, which was new to the IndyCar paddock as well.
Despite a challenging start with the best finish of 18th place in his first five starts, Shwartzman accomplished a historic milestone by capturing pole position at the 109th Indianapolis 500. Having never competed on an oval before, the 25-year-old stunned the field at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a four-lap qualifying average speed of 232.79 mph. This feat marked the first time in 83 years that a rookie had earned the pole for the iconic race.
Season Overview: Highs and Lows for Shwartzman and PREMA Racing
Unfortunately, Shwartzman’s strong qualifying at the Indy 500 did not translate into race success, as he failed to finish after crashing into his pit crew during a stop. The remainder of his season produced only two top-10 finishes at Gateway and Iowa. In contrast, his teammate Callum Ilott found better form late in the year, securing four top-10 results in the final five races.
Following the season, rumors circulated online suggesting that Shwartzman was unhappy in IndyCar and considering leaving the series. He addressed these claims directly through a post on X, rejecting the damaging gossip and clarifying his actual sentiments.
“I want to take a moment to address something that’s been circulating recently. I keep seeing comments and have received messages suggesting that I’m unhappy in IndyCar, or that I don’t enjoy racing here. Let me be absolutely clear: I have never said that, and I’ve never even thought it. These rumours come from speculation, and not only is it inaccurate, it’s damaging and frankly offensive,” Shwartzman wrote.
“The truth is the complete opposite! I am very happy to be racing in IndyCar. I love the series, the competition, the atmosphere, the variety of the circuits; the fans are passionate and the paddock is very welcoming. So, please don’t believe everything you read when it isn’t coming directly from me. If I have something to say about my career or how I feel, you’ll always hear it from me first. Thank you to everyone who continues to support me!” he concluded.
Looking ahead, Shwartzman remains signed with PREMA Racing for the 2026 season, though the team faces financial uncertainty as it seeks new partnerships before confirming its continued participation in IndyCar.
Rookie of the Year Competition Came Down to Narrow Margin
Before starting his IndyCar career, Shwartzman had praised the series highly, labeling it “the best series” compared to his previous experiences in Formula 1 and Formula E. He admired the fierce competition that the American series offers.
PREMA Racing’s newcomer status presented challenges in consistently breaking into the top five or top 10 finishes, but Shwartzman remained a contender for the Rookie of the Year title, competing against Jacob Abel from Dale Coyne Racing and Louis Foster of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
Jacob Abel struggled early on, effectively removing himself from the contest. The battle for the rookie crown then became a tight race between Shwartzman and Foster. Entering the season finale in Nashville, Foster held an eight-point lead and only needed to finish close to or ahead of Shwartzman to clinch the award.
During the final race, Shwartzman appeared poised to capture Rookie of the Year by working his way into the top 10 in the closing laps. However, a last-minute setback occurred when he was penalized with a drivethrough for blocking Santino Ferrucci while being lapped. This penalty dropped him to 14th place and handed the rookie title to Foster.
Implications for Shwartzman and PREMA Racing’s Future in IndyCar
Robert Shwartzman’s response has ended speculation about his attitude toward IndyCar, reaffirming his commitment and enthusiasm for the series despite the ups and downs of his rookie campaign. His impressive qualifying at the Indy 500 demonstrated his potential on American ovals, even though a combination of incidents and team challenges limited his results.
The ongoing funding issues with PREMA Racing add uncertainty to Shwartzman’s plans for the future, as the Italian outfit must secure new financial backing to confirm their 2026 participation. Fans and observers will be watching closely to see if Shwartzman can build on his rookie year and challenge more consistently at the front of the field.
As the next season approaches, keeping an eye on PREMA’s fate will be crucial to understanding how Shwartzman’s IndyCar journey continues and whether he can convert his rookie speed into sustained success across a full campaign.
