Robert and Mikhail Shwartzman

Robert Shwartzman embarks on his rookie season in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2025. The Israeli-born driver who moved to Russia in his early years is driving the No. 83 PREMA Racing Chevrolet.

Shwartzman is arguably the least-known driver among the 26 announced full-time competitors this season, with 23 racers having past NTT INDYCAR SERIES experience. The other two are rookies, with Louis Foster and Jacob Abel coming through the INDY NXT by Firestone ranks.

So who is Shwartzman?

Shwartzman, 25, is a talented driver who came through the European junior open-wheel ranks, includes winning the 2019 FIA Formula 3 Championship for PREMA. His story is one of hard work, sacrifice and personal heartbreak.

First, the heartbreak. Shwartzman makes no qualms that he is racing for his dad. He calls himself the younger version of Mikhail Shwartzman.

The two were inseparable, alike in many aspects, until Mikhail passed away in April 2020 at age 52 due to COVID-19. That was a devastating moment for Robert, who just a few months prior won the 2019 F3 championship.

“He had a massive impact in my life,” Shwartzman said. “We always got along, to be honest, from the very beginning, and we had the same passion, same love for racing in cars and stuff. I'm basically his little version.

“All of the time I was just evolving, learning from him and growing up. I think 90 percent of what you see, it's created by him in terms of my personality, knowledge and experience. I'm extremely thankful for him for that, because without him, probably I wouldn't be where I am now.

“He gave me a massive opportunity. He was really into that as much as I am, and he really loved it. It’s the best that I could have ever wish for. I have zero shame the fact that he was a super, great person, great dad, great friend.”

After his father’s death, the hard work and sacrifice intensified for Robert amid his grief.

He could have folded and found something else to do after his father’s death. The difficulty of racing with a huge hole in his heart could slow his speed on track and force an early retirement.

Instead, Shwartzman remembered two key questions that his dad asked him at a young age: Does he want to become a champion, and is he ready to fully dedicate his life for this path?

Shwartzman answered yes to both and paved a path to get this far. Why stop now after how hard he worked to get to this point of his career?

Racing is challenging, and Shwartzman didn’t want to just be a racer – he wanted to be a champion. His dad instilled a level of commitment that he didn’t want to abandon.

“Honestly, it's a big compromise,” he said. “It's a big challenge. So basically, you drop everything for it. It’s always a sacrifice. What do you want to do? Do you want an ordinary life or an extraordinary life? That’s your decision.

“My decision was always go for it. Go racing. Especially when I was a young kid, I didn’t have many friends. I was a bit in my own world. At some point I felt quite lonely, but that's the cost that you have to pay.

“As a kid and as a parent, you have to acknowledge that if you really want to become someone big in sports, you're doing because, in my opinion, I don't see any other reason if you don't want to become the best, then don't do it. Don't waste time, don't waste money, don't waste energy on that side. You have to do things where you want to be the best, and if it’s sports that takes a lot of time, and you have to be ready to sacrifice things.”

He picked up the pieces and finished runner-up in the 2021 FIA Formula 2 Championship and had a strong run the last three-years as a Ferrari Formula One test and reserve driver. With a desire to race for a championship on a larger scale and PREMA starting an NTT INDYCAR SERIES team, Shwartzman – who raced for PREMA in F2 and F3 – was a perfect fit.

Now Shwartzman will battle with Foster and Abel for Rookie of the Year honors in 2025. Desire and passion can overcome the lack of experience with the tracks, the car, his competitors and the rules. He is working hard to overcome that deficit, but his heart is racing for his dad and continue what they built.

“My dad definitely changed the world for me,” he said. “That was a massive loss in my life, the biggest one I've ever had, and hopefully ever will. I can't describe words how painful it was. I mean, it's life, nothing I can change, unfortunately, no matter how much I want.

“But yeah, so the only choice I have is just to go forward and prove everybody that's what he has started and I'm continuing.

“I want to think that he's always with me, and we're doing it together, and I'm just continuing it for him in the one sense. It's still our project.”