Indiana driver Robert Shwartzman won a stunning pole position at the Indianapolis 500, calling for peace around the world.
The 25-year-old Shwartzman, with a four-lap average of 232.790 mph, made his debut in "The Greatest Wonder in Racing", beating many of the biggest stars of open racing cars to finish No. 1 in the starting grid of the May 25 race.
Born in Israel, Shwartzman grew up mostly in Russia and drove under the country's flag until the country invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Shwartzman expressed his enthusiastic request for peace in the Middle East, with Israeli-led Palestinian groups led by Hamas and Eastern Europe-led Palestinian groups wars since 2023.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with senior U.S. officials on a phone call between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday to end the war.
“I just want world peace,” Shwazman said. "I want people to be kind, I don't want countries to separate, say, 'This is a bad country. It's a good country.'
"No good or good. We are all human beings, we just need to support each other. We need to find ways, for example, negotiate things.
"Did you find a way to reach a consensus on things? You know? From my experience, there will always be gold medals, which I'm calling - like, there's always the right path."
Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, Shwartzman grew up in St. Petersburg, Russia. He started racing karts at the age of 4, and eventually his rise in motorsports brought him to Italy and elsewhere in Europe.
He was a former member of the Ferrari Driver Academy and served as Formula One Reserve Driver until last year.
In November, he was hired by Italy-based Prema Racing as one of two drivers in his freshman Indycar program.
He had never run on an Oval before reaching the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, at which time he could reach 240 mph in a straight line, which he was thought to have come to mind afterwards anywhere in front of the prestigious Indy 500.
Shwartzman was surprised by the clamor of cheers after winning the pole position - in fact, the reception he received among American racing fans throughout the month - given his treatment among many fans in Europe.
"I feel really good to the fans here. In my years in Europe, I have to admit that it's even more nervous for me," Shwazman said.
"Some fans support me, but some people are against me. I have had very tough moments in my life and I haven't done anything bad.
"I don't support anything. I usually support people from my country, but everyone respects everyone, and some people just say bad things because of where I was born."
Perhaps these experiences are one of the reasons why Swazman seeks peace on Sunday.
"I really hope that at the end of the day everything will be good in the world. Everything will be calm," he said.
“From my side, I try, you know, to represent my country, to do my best to let people know that I am here, and I am all dedicated.”