Robert Shwartzman

Robert Shwartzman (born 16 September 1999) is a racing driver holding dual Israeli and Russian citizenship, currently competing in the IndyCar Series for Prema Racing, where he drives the No. 83 Chevrolet. Born in Tel Aviv and raised in Saint Petersburg, Shwartzman began karting at age four and turned professional at seven, progressing through European junior formulae to win the 2019 FIA Formula 3 Championship with Prema Racing. As a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, he served as a test and reserve driver for Scuderia Ferrari and Alfa Romeo (later Sauber) from 2022 to 2024, participating in Formula 1 practice sessions and simulator work while racing in Formula 2 and sportscars. In 2025, transitioning to IndyCar without prior oval experience, he became the first Israeli driver in the series and the first rookie since 1983 to claim pole position at the Indianapolis 500.

Robert Shwartzman was born on 16 September 1999 in Tel Aviv, Israel, to a Jewish family with roots in Israel on his father's side. His early childhood was spent in Israel, including time in Tel Aviv and the southern city of Ashkelon, before his family relocated to Saint Petersburg, Russia, when he was approximately four years old. This move aligned with his father's aspirations in motorsport, as Mikhail Shwartzman, who held Israeli citizenship and harbored unfulfilled ambitions to become a racing driver himself, introduced Robert to karting at age four shortly after the relocation.