Fri May 23 10:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Rookie Driver and New Team Shock IndyCar World with Indy 500 Pole Position
**Indianapolis, IN** – Robert Shwartzman, a rookie driver for the brand-new Prema Racing IndyCar team, stunned the motorsport world by securing pole position for the upcoming Indianapolis 500. Team Principal Rene Rosin, watching from his home in Europe, described the achievement as an “incredible” dream come true.
Prema Racing, known for its success in Formula 2 and Formula 3, entered the IndyCar series this year with modest expectations for the Indy 500, initially aiming for a mid-pack finish. However, on “Fast Friday,” the team showed surprising speed, leaving Rosin in disbelief.
The team’s success is attributed to a collective effort, with key hires like Robert Gue from Arrow McLaren and Eric Leichtle from SpaceX bolstering Prema’s engineering expertise. Leichtle, who previously engineered Josef Newgarden to multiple IndyCar wins, has been working directly with Shwartzman.
Rosin praised Shwartzman’s performance, drawing comparisons to his F2 rivalry with Oscar Piastri. While acknowledging the challenges of the race ahead, Rosin emphasized the team’s pride in their accomplishment and their focus on enjoying the spectacle.
The pole position comes amidst controversy for Team Penske, who faced penalties and personnel changes due to cheating allegations during qualifying. This has caused further questions about how the championship is governed.
Despite the pressure, Shwartzman and Prema Racing are poised to make history at the Indy 500, showcasing the potential of a newcomer against established IndyCar teams.
First Piper 