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A rookie driver celebrated an unlikely pole victory for Indianapolis 500 on Sunday.
While Team Penske was disqualified before the last two qualification rounds, Robert Shwartzman won the bar.
The 25-year-old ran for Prema Racing and became the first Indy 500-rookie to qualify for the rod since 1983. Shwartzman, which has dual nationality in Israel and Russia, originally drove under the Russian flag. He is currently competing under the Israeli flag, making Tel Aviv native to the first driver of Israel to do “the biggest sight in racing.”
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Prema Racing driver Robert Shwartzman celebrates winning the bar for the Indy 500 under Fast Six qualification on Indianapoli Motor Speedway on May 18, 2025. (Grace Hollars / USA Today Network via Imag images)
Until Shwartzman’s victory, Teo Fabi was the last rookie to qualify for the Indy 500 bar. Coincidentally, he was an Italian – like Prema, also founded in 1983. Prema was established in Europe and ran in the Formula 2 series. It made its Indycar debut this season.
Prema is the first team to debut in the Indy 500 to land on the bar since Mayer Motor Racing put Tom Sreva there in 1984.
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The event also marked Shwartzman’s racing debut on an oval. He said the victory felt like a dream.
“Honestly, it feels like I’m dreaming. I just had it in my dreams when I went, how would it feel to do such a good job in Quali,” he said. “It’s the Indy 500. It’s the most important race of the year. Honestly, it feels incredible.”
Prema Racing driver Robert Shwartzman, #83, responds after putting a pole-winning time on Sunday, May 18, 2025 under Fast Six, qualifying for 109. Operation of Indianapolis 500 on Indianapoli’s engine speedway. (Gary Mook / for Indystar / USA Today Network via Imag images)
Shwartzman had pursued a career in Formula One and was part of the Ferrari development program as well as its reserve driver from 2021 until the end of last season. Premous then neighbored him for his two-car team.
Prema Racing driver Robert Shwartzman, #83, responds after putting a pole-winning time on Sunday, May 18, 2025 under Fast Six, qualifying for 109. Operation of Indianapolis 500 on Indianapoli’s engine speedway. (Bob Goshert / for Indystar / USA Today Network via Imag images)
The rod was only open to take when Team Penske was disqualified from qualifying to an illegal change of cars from two-time defending Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden and Will Power. Then Scott McLaughlin destroyed his car in a Sunday morning during training.
The three Penske drivers all started in the front row last year, but will be 10th, 11th and 12th in the fourth row together next weekend.
