Before qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 even begins, it's known that a different driver will be on the pole this year than in 2025. That's because Robert Shwartzman, who won the pole driving the No. 83 Chevrolet for Prema Racing, won't be in the race.
Prema's IndyCar operation is on pause as the team's ownership group, DC Racing Solutions, searches for a new owner or investor. As a result, Shwartzman and teammate Callum Ilott have not raced in IndyCar this year and will not be in the Indy 500.
"Watching from the sidelines this year is pretty tough, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wish I was back in the car," Shwartzman posted to in a statement on X Friday afternoon. "I’ll never take the chance I had to qualify and race here for granted. I hope to be back out there fighting for it again one day. Until then, I’ll be watching."
Shwartzman's shocking qualifying performance last year made him the first rookie to win the pole since Teo Fabi in 1983. Shwartzman placed 26th in the race after colliding with his pit crew members and the pit wall following a brake failure. The impact of the crash took him out of the race after 87 laps.
The 26-year-old Shwartzman has done no racing this year after finishing 24th in the IndyCar championship last season. Ilott is competing with Wright Motorsports in the GTD class of the IMSA Sportscar Championship, which he planned to do alongside IndyCar this year.
In April, IndyCar revealed that beginning in 2027, it will not allow teams that aren't chartered to enter any races that aren't the Indy 500. Prema, in its debut season in 2025, was the only full-time team that didn't have a charter as IndyCar introduced its charter system ahead of the 2025 season.
Without the ability to enter races next year or an agreement to partner with Chevrolet for its chartered entry in 2028, Prema's current value is limited to its assets (equipment, building space, employees, etc.) at its Fishers-based shop. Prospective buyers have no promise that they'd be able to join IndyCar should they purchase Prema.
Zion Brown is IndyStar's motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar's motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to the YouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Robert Shwartzman reacts to Prema not being in Indy 500 a year after pole win
