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What happened to shock 2025 Indy 500 polesitter Robert Shwartzman?

Robert Shwartzman Indy 500 IndyCar Prema Prema Racing

Last year, Prema Racing was brand new to IndyCar, as was rookie driver Robert Shwartzman. His sixth career start came in IndyCar's biggest race -- the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500.

And that's where the Israeli-born racer made history at the age of 25 when he bested two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato for pole position, recording a four-lap average of 232.790mph.

He was the first rookie to earn pole for the iconic race since Teo Fabi did it in 1983. Unfortunately, the race didn't go as well. He led eight laps, but his Indy 500 dream came to an end after 87 laps following a scary pit road incident where he hit multiple Prema crew members and the wall.

Robert Shwartzman, Prema Racing (Photo by: Penske Entertainment)

Still, he was ultimately named the Indy 500 Rookie of the Year for his shock pole, and went on to end the year 24th in the standings. And then Prema vanished from the grid, not returning for the 2026 season due to financial issues.

On the eve of qualifying for the 2026 Indy 500, Shwartzman reflected on the historic pole and missing out on the event this year. From his comments, it's clear the former FIA Formula 3 champion hasn't given up on his IndyCar dream.

"Those four laps in qualifying... honestly, nothing else even comes close. This place is just different, there’s nowhere else like it also for everything it demands from us drivers. Watching from the sidelines this year is pretty tough, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wish I was back in the car. I’ll never take the chance I had to qualify and race here for granted. I hope to be back out there fighting for it again one day. Until then, I’ll be watching."

He is the first defending pole-sitter to not even attempt the following year's Indy 500 since Bruno Junqueira, who did not enter the event in 2003 after earning pole in 2002.

Those four laps in qualifying... honestly, nothing else even comes close.
This place is just different, there’s nowhere else like it also for everything it demands from us drivers.
Watching from the sidelines this year is pretty tough, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wish I… pic.twitter.com/Cm2M7WY021
— Robert Shwartzman (@ShwartzmanRob) May 15, 2026

Photos from Indy 500 - Friday

Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Ed Carpenter, Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Caio Collet, AJ Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Ed Carpenter, Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Ed Carpenter, Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet, Alexander Rossi, Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

David Malukas, Team Penske Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Nolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Alexander Rossi, Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet, Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

David Malukas, Team Penske Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Pato O'Ward, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Christian Lundgaard, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Christian Lundgaard, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Christian Rasmussen, Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

David Malukas, Team Penske Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Christian Rasmussen, Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

David Malukas, Team Penske Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Helio Castroneves, Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian Honda

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Dennis Hauger, Dale Coyne Racing Honda

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Felix Rosenqvist, Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb Agajanian Honda

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Helio Castroneves, Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian Honda

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Josef Newgarden, Team Penske Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Josef Newgarden, Team Penske Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Santino Ferrucci, AJ Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Josef Newgarden, Team Penske Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Takuma Sato, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Josef Newgarden, Team Penske Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Christian Rasmussen, Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Josef Newgarden, Team Penske Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Takuma Sato, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Josef Newgarden, Team Penske Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global Honda

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Felix Rosenqvist, Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb Agajanian Honda

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Takuma Sato, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Ed Carpenter, Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Marcus Armstrong, Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb Agajanian Honda

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Felix Rosenqvist, Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb Agajanian Honda

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Nolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Nolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Marcus Armstrong, Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb Agajanian Honda

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Pato O'Ward, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Will Power, Andretti Global Honda

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Santino Ferrucci, AJ Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Pato O'Ward, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global Honda

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Rinus VeeKay, Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Pato O'Ward, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Santino Ferrucci, AJ Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Ryan Hunter-Reay, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Romain Grosjean, Dale Coyne Racing Honda

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

General view

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Katherine Legge, HMD Motorsports with A.J. Foyt Racing Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

General view

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Pato O'Ward, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske Chevrolet

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

Borg Warner Trophy

Indianapolis 500 - Friday, in photos

IndyCar

63

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