At 25, Robert Shwartzman is embarking on a new adventure. After a year with Ferrari in the Hypercar category of the World Endurance Championship where he won Lone Star Le Mans in Austin (Texas) with Robert Kubica and Yifei Ye, the Israeli driver decided to support Prema in his project IndyCar. Even if he has experience in single-seaters, he who was vice-champion of Formula 2 in 2021 behind Oscar Piastri, the person concerned is aware of the task that awaits him across the Atlantic as a rookie.
« The championship itself, the circuits, everything will be new for mecomments Shwartzman. However, I want to believe that my experience acquired in Europe and throughout my career will help me achieve the necessary speed and achieve good results. This is a big and very interesting challenge for me. This is one of the boldest decisions I’ve made in my career, and I really, really hope it’s a good decision. »
First challenge for Shwartzman: readjusting to single-seaters
The person concerned recognizes that it will be a challenge to return to single-seaters where “ the mentality and approach are different » after two seasons he got into the habit of sharing his cabin with teammates. Before racing in the WEC in 2024, the Israeli had indeed participated in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup with AF Corse – Francorchamps Motors in 2023.
Shwartzman and Ilott will be teammates in IndyCar this season – Photo: Prema
« In Endurance, the races are long and you approach them in a different way, at least in a Hypercar in WEC, explains the one who will use the No. 83 in racing this season. You can always bounce back. There are a lot of mistakes from other drivers or teams. Normally, the winner is the one who has made the fewest mistakes. In single-seaters, you have to attack when you have the chance. You have to seize every opportunity because maybe later you won’t have any more. I have to readjust, but I think I can do it fairly quickly. »
Shwartzman will discover the ovals
The other and main adaptation challenge for the beginner will obviously be the ovals, the great specificity of American circuits. “ This is something I’ve never done and it’s a little scary honestlyconfesse Shwartzman. If we do a good job in terms of preparing the team and the car at all the other circuits, we should be very strong and competitive. I really like street circuits and I want to believe that I will be good there straight away. If not, I will learn to adapt, but the oval circuits will undoubtedly be my main challenge. »
Shwartzman will wear No. 83 in the race – Photo: Prema
For Shwartzman, it is a return to Prema, a team with which he grew up and climbed the ladder in promotional formulas up to Formula 2. The young man has since successfully tasted Endurance and even in Formula 1, during Free Practice sessions carried out with Ferrari and Sauber. “ When I left Prema, I was a student, let’s put it that way, getting my first degree, remembers the person concerned. Today I feel like I’ve mastered a lot of things. I’m still as fast as before, but I have more knowledge now. I hope these will help me. »
The reasons behind IndyCar’s bold move
Callum Ilott’s future teammate assures that the idea of entering the North American single-seater championship did not come with the proposal from his favorite team. “ I chose IndyCar for two reasonshe explains. The first is a team that I won with, that I know, that I trust and that I believe in. Second, the series is the best in terms of racing at this point. I want to compete in real races in the real world, and I want to enjoy them. These are the two main reasons that pushed me to make this choice. I have the sacred fire to flourish and have fun. I was open to other proposals, to other things. I was ready to examine everything. There was Formula E and Endurance. The idea of IndyCar was not born with Prema. She was born before. There were various negotiations which were unsuccessful. »
Robert Shwartzman in the seat of his new single-seater – Photo: Prema
Discussions between Robert Shwartzman and René Rosin, the team owner, began at the start of 2024 and intensified around the time of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. Robert Shwartzman and Prema’s first steps in an IndyCar race will take place on March 2 on the streets of St. Petersburg (Florida). They will be able to count on the experience of two regulars in the discipline, Romain Grosjean and Ryan Briscoe, respectively designated reserve and sports advisor of the team.
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