Shwartzman on the cusp of new IndyCar challenge: 'A bold decision'

At 25, Robert Shwartzman is embarking on a new adventure. After a year with Ferrari in the Hypercar category of the World ChampionshipEndurance where he won Lone Star Le Mans In Austin (Texas) with Robert Kubica and Yifei Ye, the Israeli driver decided to support Prema in its project IndyCar. Even though he has experience of the car, he who was vice-champion of Formula 2 in 2021 behind Oscar piastri, the interested party is aware of the task that awaits him across the Atlantic as a rookie.

« The championship itself, the circuits, everything will be new for me., Shwartzman comments. However, I want to believe that my experience gained in Europe and in my entire career will help me reach the necessary speed and achieve good results. It is a big and very interesting challenge for me. It is one of the boldest decisions I have made in my career, and I really, really hope that it will be a good decision. »

First challenge for Shwartzman: readjusting to the single-seater

The interested party recognizes that it will be a challenge to return to single-seaters where " the mentality and approach are different "After two seasons he got used to sharing his cockpit with teammates. Before driving in WEC In 2024, the Israeli had indeed participated in the Endurance Cup of the GT World Challenge Europe with AF Corse – Francorchamps Motors in 2023.

Shwartzman and Ilott to 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 man who will use the number 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 made the least mistakes. In single-seaters, you have to attack when you have the chance. You have to seize the smallest opportunity because maybe later you won't have any more. I have to readjust, but I think I can do it quite quickly. »

Shwartzman to uncover ovals

The other and main adaptation challenge for the beginner will obviously be the ovals, the great specificity of American circuits. It's something I've never done and it's a little scary honestly, Shwartzman confesses. If we do a good job in terms of preparing the team and the car on all the other circuits, we should be very strong and competitive. I really like the 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 definitely be my main challenge. »

Shwartzman to wear #83 in 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 Formula 1, during Free Practice sessions carried out with Ferrari and Sauber. When I left Prema, I was a student, let's say, getting my first degree, remembers the person concerned. Today I feel like I have mastered a lot of things. I am still as fast as before, but I have more knowledge now. I hope this will help me. »

The reasons behind IndyCar's bold decision

Callum Ilott's future teammate assures that the idea of ​​entering the North American single-seater championship did not come with the proposal of his favorite team. I chose IndyCar for two reasons, He explains. One, it's a team that I've won with, that I know, that I trust and that I believe in. Two, 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 it. Those are the two main reasons that pushed me to make this choice. I have a burning desire to grow and have fun. I was open to other proposals, to other things. I was ready to look at everything. There was the Formula E and Endurance. The idea of ​​IndyCar was not born with Prema. It was born before. There were various negotiations that did not come to anything. »

Robert Shwartzman in the cockpit of his new single-seater – Photo: Prema

Discussions between Robert Shwartzman and team owner René Rosin began in early 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 in the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. They will notably be able to count on the experience of two regulars in the discipline, Romain Grosjean and Ryan Briscoe, respectively designated reserve and sporting advisor of the team.

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