It’s not every day that you see a career like Robert Shwartzman’s take such a dramatic turn. Once a name touted for stardom under Ferrari’s wing, with a junior racing record glittering with promise—Formula 3 champion, multiple F2 wins, and a runner-up title—Shwartzman is now heading for a fresh start in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES for 2025. His Formula 1 ambitions? For now, those seem firmly in the rearview mirror. The story of how and why this came to be is a tale as old as time when it comes to Formula 1’s seat availability, especially as Shwartzman himself starts to open up about the journey.

No focus on Formula 1 for Shwartzman

The young Russian-Israeli driver has partnered with his former junior Formula team, PREMA Racing, who are making their bold leap into the INDYCAR scene. With a debut in Charlotte, North Carolina, PREMA—a name synonymous with developing F1 talent—is aiming high in its new endeavor. And with Shwartzman leading the charge, there’s an air of quiet confidence that they’re here to make an impact.

PREMA Racing, a powerhouse in junior formula racing, officially unveiled its INDYCAR entry for the 2025 season on January 10th. The announcement, hosted at General Motors’ Charlotte Technical Center, brought plenty of fanfare—and for good reason. PREMA’s lineup includes Robert Shwartzman and Callum Ilott, set to drive the team’s No. 90 and No. 83 Chevrolet-powered cars. For Shwartzman, this marks a return to the team that helped him achieve some of his most significant milestones, including the 2019 FIA Formula 3 Championship and six F2 victories.

In a conversation with journalist Bob Pockrass, Shwartzman addressed the big question on everyone’s mind: Why leave Formula 1 behind?

“It doesn’t depend on me. In Formula One there is quite a lot of things going around that I have no control of. I come here with the thought that this is a place where I’m gonna be racing for quite a while,” Shwartzman said honestly. “My target is to bring myself and the team to the top level… If there’s obviously any interest from Formula One we’re gonna discuss… But I don’t put my focus on it. My focus here is to bring up the car in P1.”

Shwartzman’s path to INDYCAR hasn’t been a straightforward one. After two stellar F2 seasons that showcased his raw speed and talent, the doors to a full-time Formula 1 seat remained frustratingly closed. While he was definitely in contention for the title, he lost out on the F2 championship to his teammates, Mick Schumacher and Oscar Piastri in 2020 and 2021, respectively. This may have hurt his chances as while he could compete on the level of his teammates and even beat them, consistency is where he suffered.

Despite his role as Scuderia Ferrari’s test and reserve driver—which included free practice sessions—Shwartzman found himself competing in the Prancing Horse’s endurance racing program to keep his skills sharp. Wins in the FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar class and at the Lone Star Le Mans proved his versatility, but it was PREMA’s new adventure in America that reignited his passion for open-wheel single-seaters.

PREMA’s American Dream

PREMA Racing’s decision to enter INDYCAR is as ambitious as it is exciting. Founded in 1983, the Italian team has long been a dominant force in junior categories, serving as a springboard for stars like Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, and Esteban Ocon. But even with 80 championship titles to their name, PREMA wanted more.

“We were looking for a new challenge,” said team owner Rene Rosin. “The next step was quite natural, to be one of the most competitive and important championships worldwide. INDYCAR offers a variety of tracks—ovals, street circuits, road courses—and that’s a challenge we’re excited to tackle.”

Leading the effort alongside Shwartzman and Ilott is a supporting cast brimming with experience. Formula 1 and INDYCAR veteran Romain Grosjean joins as a reserve driver, while Ryan Briscoe brings his wealth of knowledge as an advisor. “The combination of talent and experience we’ve assembled is formidable,” said PREMA CEO Piers Phillips. “Robert’s adaptability across multiple series and Callum’s familiarity with INDYCAR will help us accelerate our learning curve.”

For Callum Ilott, the partnership with PREMA feels like a homecoming as well. Having raced for the team in Formula 3, Ilott’s familiarity with their methods and ethos could prove invaluable as they adapt to INDYCAR’s unique demands.

PREMA’s move also further cements the growing appeal of American motorsport as a viable alternative for drivers whose F1 aspirations have stalled, with former drivers like Marcus Ericsson and Romain Grosjean finding success in the series. Grosjean has been racing in the IndyCar series since 2021 and has racked up eleven top-5 finishes and 22 top-10 finishes.

For Shwartzman, the goal is simple yet ambitious. “INDYCAR has the best racing at this stage,” he said. “With PREMA, we’ve achieved so much in the past. I’m here to build on that and push this team to the top.”

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 2, 2025, will be the first proper test for this new venture. For PREMA, the transition from junior formula dominance to the competitive world of American open-wheel racing is a chance to prove their already legendary mettle on a global stage. For Shwartzman, it’s an opportunity to reignite his career and perhaps, one day, circle back to the F1 dream that started it all.