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Author: David Bodapati
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India gets first Grade-1 Karting circuit as MIKA receives CIK-FIA certification
Chennai, 8 April 2025: The Madras International Karting Arena (MIKA) in Sriperumbudur, near here, received the highly coveted CIK-FIA Grade-1 certification, thus placing the facility among the elite karting circuits in the World.
The circuit, measuring 1.17km, is the longest karting track in India with a multiple-track configuration suitable for competitive racing and leisure activities. The track was inaugurated by former World champion Mika Hakkinen in September 2024 and later hosted the final round of the Indian National Rotax Max Karting Championship in December 2024.
Securing the licence is the culmination of months of designing, planning and efforts to develop a facility that conforms to global standards. The track layout has already received rave reviews about it being a driver’s delight, given the mix of sharp turns, high-speed straights, and elevation changes.
The track was highly appreciated by elite drivers like double Formula 1 World champion Mika Hakkinen and India’s two F1 drivers, Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok. Karun played a key role in designing the track.
The licence, dated April 8, is valid for three years and certified that the track fulfilled “the conditions and safety standards laid down by the CIK-FIA for the running of kart races held under CIK-FIA rules”. It was inspected by Willibald Zöttl, the CIK-FIA Technical Inspector for the Circuit and Safety Commissions.
The circuit is located within the premises of the Madras International Circuit which boasts of a FIA Grade 2 racing track and is the hub of motor racing in India.
The CIK-FIA licence considerably raises the profile of the MIKA circuit which will host a three-round Karting Karnival series in April-May.
Reacting to the development, MMSC Vice-President Vicky Chandhok said: “When we first conceptualised MIKA circuit, the target was to develop an international standard track that can host global competitions besides offering a great platform for racing aspirants as well as a destination for leisure activities for families and corporates.”
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Karun Chandhok launches ‘Drive to Victory’, a thrilling read for young motorsports fans
Chennai, 30 March 2025: Renowned Indian racing driver and Formula 1 expert Karun Chandhok has taken his passion for motorsport beyond the track with the release of his new book, Drive to Victory. Aimed at children aged nine and above, the book was launched in Chennai on Sunday, where Chandhok signed copies at two iconic bookstores, Higginbothams and Odyssey in Adyar, delighting young readers and motorsport enthusiasts.
A Must-Read for Young Racing Fans
Described as “the perfect read for the Formula 1-mad kid in your life,” by Amazon UK, Drive to Victory is a high-speed dive into the world of Formula 1, penned by Chandhok himself. The book answers burning questions young fans often ask: How fast do Formula 1 cars really go? What does it take to become a racing driver? Which track is the toughest in the world?
Drawing from his extensive experience in F1 and other racing championships, Chandhok takes readers behind the scenes, sharing incredible stats, facts, and stories about the fastest and most exciting sport on the planet. The book explores legendary drivers from both past and present, including Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and George Russell, as well as icons like Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, and Jenson Button. It also shines a light on trailblazing female drivers such as Maria Teresa de Filippis and Lella Lombardi.
Beyond the drivers, Drive to Victory showcases the best teams, cars, and tracks, offering young readers an insider’s view into what it takes to compete at the highest level of motorsport. Chandhok also shares expert insights on how aspiring racers can start their journey in the world of Formula 1.
Karun Chandhok: From the Track to the Bookshelf
Karun Chandhok, spends time to talk with young children, who came to his book launch at Odyssey in Chennai. Photos by Srinivasa Krishnan A former Formula 1 driver, Chandhok is one of only two Indian racers to have competed in the sport, making his F1 debut in 2010 with Hispania Racing before joining Team Lotus in 2011. Apart from F1, he has raced in Le Mans, Formula E, and GP2, securing multiple podiums and victories. That makes him the only driver from India, who raced in all the three top FIA championships.
Today, Chandhok is a well-respected motorsport analyst and a leading voice on Sky Sports’ F1 coverage, where his deep knowledge and engaging commentary have made him a fan favourite. With Drive to Victory, he is now inspiring a new generation of young racing fans, combining his love for storytelling with his unparalleled experience on the track.
A Special Launch in Chennai
For Chandhok, launching the book in his hometown of Chennai added a personal touch to the milestone. The events at Higginbothams and Odyssey were filled with excitement as children and fans got their copies autographed and interacted with the racing star.
Speaking about the book, Chandhok shared, “Growing up, I was obsessed with motorsport, but there weren’t many books tailored for kids who loved racing. With Drive to Victory, I wanted to create something fun, informative, and inspiring for young fans who dream of being part of the world of Formula 1.”
With its thrilling storytelling, fascinating insights, and stunning facts, Drive to Victory is set to become a must-have for young motorsport lovers. Whether a child dreams of racing or simply enjoys watching the sport, this book promises to take them on a turbocharged ride through the world of F1.
Here are some exclusive photographs by motorsports photojournalist Srinivasa Krishnan, who took time off from his busy schedule to attend the event and get a copy personally signed by the legend.
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Jason Saldanha, Thimmanna Uddapanda win Thailand Rally RC2.1 title
Bangkok, 30 March 2025: Mangalore’s Jason Saldanha and Thimmamma Uddapanda of Kodagu began the season with a bang winning the first round of the Thailand National Rally Championship (RAAT) in RC 2.1 class, at Nakhon Ratchasima, about 250km from here, on Sunday. They also finished a creditable second in the Overall category despite losing time behind a stuck car in Special Stage 4.
Driving a Suzuki Swift 1.4L turbo for ‘Team Insight & Ally,’ they made it their second consecutive victory at the RAAT, taking home the coveted title. “It is a mixed bag. We are very happy to have won our class and the feeling of lifting the Indian flag high is a proud moment. But for the time lost behind a stationary car, we would have won the Overall honours too,” said Saldanha and Thimmanna, about the SS4 incident where they could not continue as a car blocked the road. The organisers are yet to decide on the scratch time when the provisional results were announced. The duo were fastest in four Special Stages (SS) and clocked an overall time of one hour, 32.20 seconds for a total distance of 81.50km including a competitive stage distance of 38.63km in the eight SS. There are three physical stages. The Sanamachai Forest Park stage is the longest at 17.5km, the Rubber Research stage is 13.4km and the Wang Nam Sai is the shortest at 7.73km.
Saldanha, born on March 24, 1987, is a skilled Indian rally driver making waves in both the RAAT and the Indian National Rally Championship (INRC). Originally from Mangaluru, he now resides in Belur, Karnataka, where he continues to hone his craft in motorsports. Thimmanna, born on December 24, 1989, in Ammathi, on the other hand, brings in experience and stability to the partnership, with his expertise in navigation. He made his debut at Coimbatore in 2018.
Jason Saldanha and Thimmu Uddapanda Bopanna in the stages at Thailand National Rally Championship (RAAT) Round 1 on Sunday. Saldanha’s breakthrough moment came in April 2023 when he and his co-driver, Thimmanna Uddapanda made history by becoming the first Indians to win a title in their class in the Thailand Rally Nationals. Driving for ‘Team Insight & Ally,’ the duo etched their names in the record books with this remarkable achievement.
In December 2024, Saldanha delivered another stellar performance at the INRC Blueband K1000 Rally, their home rally. Competing in the INRC 2 category alongside Uddapanda Thimanna in a Maruti Baleno RS 1.0 for Arka Motorsports, he secured an impressive second-place overall finish and clinched first place in the INRC 2 class. Earlier in the season, at the INRC Blueband Rally of Hyderabad, he and Thimanna finished fifth overall and third in their category. Saldanha also put up a strong fight at the 2024 Robusta Rally, the penultimate round of the INRC. In a tightly-contested race, he narrowly missed a podium finish, placing fourth overall—just a second behind Aditya Thakur in the INRC 2 category.
Saldanha and Thimmanna continue to improve their game and are a formidable force in Indian motorsports, showcasing their talent on both national and international rally circuits. Their next event will be the South India Rally in Chennai from April 24 to 27.
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Naveen Pulligilla and Musa Sherif make history as the first “all-Indian pair” to drive WRC
Nairobi, 27 March 2025: Hyderabad’s Naveen Pulligilla and co-driver Musa Sherif of Kasargod, created Indian motorsports history, as they became the first “all-Indian team” to participate in the World Rally Championship (WRC). The duo competed in the iconic Safari Rally Kenya 2025 from March 20 to 23 and won the RC3 Kenyan National Rally Championship.
Naveen and Musa, driving a Ford Fiesta Rally3 machine for the Africa Eco Motorsport team, were leading the WRC3 class with just two stages to go and were on the verge of a fairytale debut. But their luck failed as they encountered mechanical issues with the lower arm and were forced to pull out. Thankfully, by that stage, they had already clinched the RC3 class Kenyan Rally Championship title, which ran concurrently and concluded after 19 stages.
“Competing in the Safari Rally Kenya was an incredible experience. The terrain isn’t just challenging, it’s a shock for any first-timer, with boulder-strewn routes and unpredictable conditions. Despite that, we managed to maintain pace and stay within three minutes of the top WRC cars. The rally, the breathtaking countryside, and the wildlife made it unforgettable. I’m coming back in 2026,” said Naveen, who is planning to take part in two more WRC rounds in Saudi Arabia and Sardinia. “Competing in Kenya was a test of endurance, skill, and determination. The terrain was brutal, but we pushed through to make history as the first all-Indian team in WRC,” concluded Musa Sherif.
Naveen Pulligilla: A Rising Star in Indian Motorsport
Hailing from Hyderabad, Naveen Pulligilla is an accomplished off-road driver with a growing reputation in the rallying community. His international experience includes participation in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship in New Zealand in 2024. Known for his precise and aggressive driving style, Naveen has been an active competitor in the Indian National Rally Championship, consistently showcasing his skill and determination on challenging terrains.
Musa Sherif: India’s Most Decorated Co-Driver
Musa Sherif, from Kasaragod, Kerala, brings over 33 years of rallying experience to the partnership. As India’s most decorated co-driver, he has participated in more than 332 rallies, including 92 international events, and has secured 10 national championship titles. Musa’s journey in motorsports began in 1993, and since then, he has become a stalwart in the field, known for his meticulous navigation skills and strategic acumen.
The Safari Rally Kenya 2025: A Formidable Challenge
The Safari Rally Kenya is renowned for its demanding terrain, unpredictable weather, and breathtaking landscapes. The Indian duo completed 19 of the featured 21 challenging stages, which are the course par for the Kenyan Rally. The competitive distance was 383.10 km within a total rally distance of 1,381.92 km. Stages such as Camp Moran, Loldia, and Hell’s Gate are particularly noted for their technical complexity and natural beauty. For WRC, the distance was extended by two more Special Stages.
Preparation and Performance
In preparation for this formidable event, Naveen and Musa underwent pre-rally testing in Indonesia with technical assistance from MRU Motorsport, Malaysia. They also conducted additional testing and reconnaissance runs in Kenya to familiarize themselves with the challenging terrain. Their goal was to finish strong and gain valuable experience on the world stage.
Historical Context and Future Aspirations
Earlier, Indian rally drivers like Gaurav Gill and Naren Kumar took part in the World Rally Championship but had co-drivers from abroad, making the Safari Kenyan Rally the first WRC event which saw an all-Indian pair.
The Safari Rally Kenya is renowned for its demanding terrain, unpredictable weather, and breathtaking landscapes. The first Indian duo completed 19 of the 21 challenging stages, which had 383.10 km of competitive sections in a total rally distance of 1,381.92 km.
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fmsci 2024 champions in 14 Nationals awarded at gala function
Chennai, 22 March 2025: The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs in India (fmsci) conducted 14 National championships in various motorsports disciplines in the year 2024 which ended in December 2024. Following are the fmsci Champions for 2024. A total of 145 awards were presented to 121 winners (both individual and teams). At least, 17 motorsports athletes won more than one National Championship in 2024.
Two historic and outstanding Indian records achieved in 2024 include the first National championship won by a female driver Diana Pundole of Pune in the male-dominated Indian motorsports world. She won the National title in the MRF MMSC FMSCI Championship last year in the saloon cars class. Competing on equal footing with men, she endured all the unsporting tactics used by her male opponents on the track and emerged as a successful lady champion taking all the setbacks in her stride. The other truly endearing achievement of the year is by Bangalore-based Hemanth Muddappa, who won three National titles to add to his dozen and became the most-celebrated and first Indian Motorsports athlete to win 15 National titles in the officially declared championships with “Indian National” status.
From left: Sita Raina (Women in Motorsport Commission chairperson), Jagathishree (double champ, who recently underwent ankle surgery), Aishwarya Pissay (the only World Cup Baja champ in India), Jasmeet Kaur, Arindam Ghosh (fmsci president), Jyothi Iyengar, Tanika Shanbagh, Ryhana Bee, Diana Pundole, Pallavi Yadav, and Harshitha Gowda. (Misriya KS, The Dirt Track, ladies champion is missing in the group photo)
The Federation presented the Outstanding Performance in the International field to Aishwarya Pissay, the first Indian to win a WORLD CUP (Baja) from India in motorsports. Two other ‘Outstanding Performances in International Motorsport’ Awards were presented to Sarthak Chavan for his exploits in MalaysiaSBK racing, and Sanjay Takale for their stunning performance in the international arena. Takale became the first Indian to complete Dakar in cars, in the Classic section.
In a first-of-its-kind endeavour by the fmsci, the volunteers and officials were honoured here on Saturday at the Annual Awards ceremony. Speaking at the FMSCI Annual Awards function here, President Arindam Ghosh, a former attacking rally driver who won many an INRC round, lauded the efforts of the volunteers and officials for the smooth and flawless conduct of all the events.
“The volunteers and officials are among the five connecting pillars of motorsports and they deserve all the accolades,’ Ghosh said. “The others are participants, officials, corporates and media. If all the five are inter-connected properly, motorsports will grow by leaps and bounds,” he added. He also informed the gathering about the substantial enhancements in bidding amounts for the events which shows the growing popularity of motorsports in India. “The bidding amounts have gone up from lakhs to crores,” Ghosh revealed.
Among the officials and volunteers who were honoured at the FMSCI Annual Awards 2024 programme were Manoj P Dalal (Race Director), Subash H (Marshal), Gowthaman (Marshal), Dr. Paramesh Kumar (Doctor) and Shrirang Machhe (Competitor Relation Officer). Coimbatore Auto Sports Club bagged the award for the Best Marshal Team.
Legendary biker Bullet Bose (blue shirt) pats One Racing team principal and their star rider Jagathishree Kumaresan, who won both the Racing and Drag Nationals despite a serious ligament-tear injury. After finishing the events she went for surgery and is still under rehab and recovery. Photo by Srinivasa Krishnan FMSCI also honoured and felicitated three drivers for their ‘Outstanding Performances in International Motorsport. They are Aishwarya Pissay, Sarthak Chavan and Sanjay Takale.
Ashad Pasha, Amey Desai, Philippos Matthai and Muddappa were the star performers winning three Championship titles each. Meanwhile, Chennai schoolboy, 11-year-old Rivan Dev Preetham, continued his good show by winning the MECO fmsci Rotax Max National Karting Championship 2024. The Awards function was held under the guidance of the new President of fmsci, Arindam Ghosh, who was elected in September 2024, replacing Akbar Ebrahim.
The champions from the 14 different National Championships of various motorsports disciplines organised by fmsci in 2024 in both two-wheelers and four-wheelers are given below:
1. BUXUS PROSPORTS FMSCI Indian National TSD Rally Championship (4W) (Promoter ProSports); Sponsor Buxus.
1. Overall Driver: Jogendra Kumar Jaiswal, INTSDRC Overall;
2. Overall Navigator: Prakash Muthusamy, INSTDRC Overall;
3. INTSDRC2 Driver: Uday Ganguli;
4. INTSDRC2 Navigator: Rudrangsho Dey;
5. INTSDRC Ladies: Jasmeet Kaur;
6. INTSDRC navigator: Jyothi Iyengar;
2. National Sprint Rally Championship for two-wheelers (Promoter FB Sports); Sponsor: Eurogrip;
C1. Group A: Open upto 550cc: Rajendra RE;
C2. Group A: Upto 550cc (private): Sinan Francis;
C3. Group B: 131cc to 165cc: Varun Kumar;
C4. Group B: 166 to 260cc: D Sachin Ignatius;
C5. Group B: 261 to 400cc: Hemanth;
C6. Group B: Bullet upto 550cc: Suhail Ahmed;
C7. Group B: Scooter upto 210cc: Syed Asif Ali;
C8. Group B: Ladies upto 260cc: Ryhana Bee A;
C9. Group B: Veterans (above 50 years) upto 260cc: Mohammad Saeed Qureshi;
C10. Group D: Upto 260cc: Sanjay Somashekar;
C11. Group D: 261 to 450cc: Shajeer Ismail;
Team champions: T2 Sports;
3. Indian National Sprint Rally Championship for cars 2024 (Promoter FB Motorsport) Sponsor Eurogrip
1. Rally Sprint5: Sravan Kumar Kuttoor;
2. Rally Sprint4: Amey Desai;
3. Rally Sprint3: Chandan Manche Gowda;
4. Rally Sprint2: Philippos Matthai;
5. Rally Sprint1: Philippos Matthai;
6. Overall: Philippos Matthai;
4. MRF fmsci Dirt Track Championship 2024 (2W) (Promoter GodSpeed; Sponsor MRF)
1. Class 1: Group A, SX1 upto 500cc: Shlok Ghorpade;
2. Class 2: Group A, SX2 upto 500cc: Manikandan K;
3. Class 3: Group B, Indian Novice upto 260cc: Abhi S Nath;
4. Class 4: Group B, Indian Experts upto 260cc: Sachin D;
5. Class 5: Group B, Private Experts upto 260cc: Manikandan K;
6. Class 6: Group B, Indian Experts261 to 550cc: Rajesh Swami;
7. Class 7: Group A, Junior SX1 upto 250cc: Jinendra Sangave;
8. Class 8: Group A, Junior SX2 upto 85cc: Akshat Hupale;
9. Class 9: Group B, Scooters upto 210cc: Karthik N;
10. Class10: Group B, Ladies upto 260cc: Misriya KS.
5. fmsci Indian National Autocross Championship 2024 (4W)
1. INAC1 Open Class C: Ashad Pasha;
2. INAC1 Open Class B: Kiran KS;
3. INAC2 Class C: Ashad Pasha;
4. INAC2 Class B: Ashad Pasha;
5. INAC2 OPEN: Raunak Jana;
6. INAC3 Stock Class A: Amey Desai;
7. INAC3 Stock Class B: Kushal Chaudhari;
8. INAC3 Stock Class C: Amey Desai;
9. INAC3 Stok OPEN: Kushal Chaudhari;
10. INAC3 Stock Amateur: Nameer Pasha;
11. INAC 4wd OPEN: Sravan Kumar Kuttoor;
12. Ladies Open: Pallavi Shamrao Yadav.
6. Indian National Motorcycle Drag Racing Championship (Promoter: MMSC)
Four Stroke (Except mentioned)
1. Super Sport 551 to 850cc: Mohammed Riyaz;
2. Team Super Sport 551 to 850cc: Team Fast Track Racing;
3. Super Sport 851 to 1050cc: Hemanth Muddappa;
4. Team Super Sport 851 to 1050cc: Mantra Racing;
5. Super Sport 1051 to 1650cc: Hemanth Muddappa;
6. Team Super Sport 1051 to 1650cc: Mantra Racing;
7. Unrestricted: Hemanth Muddappa;
8. Team Unrestricted: Mantra Racing;
9. Stock upto 165 Girls: Jagathishree;
10. Team Stock upto 165 Girls: One Racing team;
11. Super Sport Indian upto 165 cc: Bharathraj J;
12. Team Super Sport Indian upto 165 cc: Rockers Racing;
13. Two stroke Super Sport upto 130cc: Shahrukh Khan;
14. Two stroke Team Super Sport upto 130cc: Team Big Boyz Racing;
15. Two stroke Super Sport 131 to 165cc: Syed Imran;
16. Two stroke Team Super Sport 131 to 165cc: Team Fast Track Racing;
Four Stroke
17. Super Sport 166 to 225cc: Prashanth S;
18. Super Sport Indian 361 to 550cc: Shahrukh Khan
19. Team Super Sport Indian 361 to 550cc: Mantra Racing.
7. Indian National Drag Racing Championship for four wheelers
(Promoter: Speedway Motorsports, Hyderabad in association with Vroom Motorsports, Bengaluru) Sponsor: Indian Oil Storm X
1. Pro Stock 1151 to 1450cc: Narayan Swamy;
2. Pro Stock 1451 to 1650cc: Mohammed Afaqh Ameen;
3. Team Pro Stock 1451 to 1650cc: Race Concepts Motorsport;
4. Pro Stock 1651 to 2050cc: Thrishal MS;
5. Team Pro Stock 1651 to 2050cc: Tune O’ Tronics;
6. Pro Stock 2051 to 2550cc: Shreyas Mahendra;
7. TeamPro Stock 2051 to 2550cc: DB Motorspots;
8. Pro Stock 3061 to 4002cc: Bradeep Raj;
9. Team Pro Stock 3061 to 4002cc: Tune O’ Tronics;
10. Pro Stock 4003 to 5100cc: Vishnu Sriram;
11. Team Pro Stock 4003 to 5100cc: Harmonixx Tuning;
12. Pro Stock Diesel 1651 CC to 2050cc: Ashwin Durai;
13. Team Pro Stock Diesel 1651 CC to 2050cc: Tune O’ Tronics;
14. Pro Stock Diesel 2551 to 3060cc: Vinod John;
15. Team Pro Stock Diesel 2551 to 3060cc: Tune O’ Tronics;
16. Indian Open upto 2750cc: Shreyas Mahendra;
17. Team Indian Open upto 2750cc: Tune O Tronics;
18. Indian Open upto 4002cc: Ashwin Durai;
19. Team Indian Open upto 4002cc: Tune O Tronics;
20. Indian Open Unlimited cc: Vivek Ramachander;
21 Team Indian Open Unlimited cc: Tune O Tronics;
22. Unrestricted Class: Vivek Ramachander;
23 Team Unrestricted Class: Tune O Tronics;
8. fmsci Indian National Rotax Max Karting Championship (Promoter Meco Motorsports)
1. Micro Max champion: Rivaan Dev Preetham;
2. Micro Max Team: MSport;
3. Junior Max champion: Arafath Sheikh;
4. Junior Max Team: Crest Motorsports;
5. Senior Max champion: Ruhaan Alva;
6. Senior Max Team: MSport;
9. MRF MoGrip National Rally Championship 2024 (2w) (Promoter GodSpeed); Sponsor: MRF;
1. Group A: Super Bike – Pro Expert: Rajendra RE;
2. Group A: Super Bike -Expert: Nataraj R;
3. Group B: Super Sport 165cc: Abdul Raheman;
4. Group B: Super Sport 260cc: Imran Pasha;
5. Group B: Super Sport 400cc: Rajesh Swami;
6. Group B: Super Sport 550cc: Suhail Ahmed;
7. Group B: Scooters upto 210cc: Syed Asif Ali;
8. Group B: Women: Tanika Shanbagh;
9. Group D: Super Stock upto 450cc: Shivam Thakur;
10. Blueband Sports FMSCI Indian National Rally Championship 2024 (4W)
1. Overall champion driver: Karna Kadur;
2. Overall champion co-driver: Musa Sherif;
3. Overall champion TEAM: Arka Motorsports;
4. INRC2 Driver champ: Aditya Thakur;
5. INRC2 Co-driver champ: Virender Kashyap;
6. INRC2 Team champion: Chettinad Sporting;
7. INRC3 Driver champ: Daraius Shroff;
8. INRC3 Co-driver champ: Vinay Padmashali;
9. INRC3 Team champion: Chettinad Sporting;
10. Junior INRC champion: Arnav Pratap Singh;
11. Ladies champion: Harshita Raj Gowda.
11. MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2024
(Promoter MMSC; Sponsor MRF)
1. Stock upto 165cc Novice: Abdul Basim RS;
2. Team Stock upto 165cc Novice: Rockers Racing;
3. Stock upto 165cc girls: Jagathishree Kumaresan;
4. Team: Stock upto 165cc girls: Team One Racing;
5. ProStock 301 to 400cc Open: Sarthak Chavan;
6. Team: ProStock 301 to 400cc Open: RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate;
7. Stock 301 to 400cc Novice: Kaushik Subbaiah Ganesan;
8. Team: Stock 301 to 400cc Novice: TVS Racing;
9. ProStock upto 165cc Open: Jagan Kumar;
10. Team: ProStock upto 165cc Open: TVS Racing;
12. MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Car Racing Championship 2024 (4W)
1. FLGB 1300cc: Viswas Vijayaraj;
2. FLGB 1300cc Team champs: DTS Racing;
3. MRF Formula 1600: Abhay M;
4. MRF Formula 2000: Jaden Rahman Pariat;
5. Volkswagen Polo Cup: Dhruv Chavan;
5. Indian Touring Cars championship: Biren Pithawalla;
6. Indian Junior Touring Cars championship: Srinivas Teja;
7. MRF Saloons: Diana Pundole;
8. Super Stock: Justin Singh;
9. Super Stock Team champs: Redline Racing India.
10. ITC Team champions: Team N1;
11. IJTC Team champions: Team Performance Racing.
13. MRF MOGRIP fmsci National Supercross Championship 2024 (2W) Promoter: GodSpeed Racing; Sponsor MRF
1. Class 1: Group A, SX1 upto 500cc: Sholok Ghorpade;
2. Class 2: Gropu A, SX2 upto 500cc: Ryan Haig;
3. Class 3: Group B Novice upto 260cc: Karan Kumar;
4. Class 5: Group B, Indian Experts upto 260cc: Imran Pasha;
5. Class 6: Group B, Private Experts uto 260cc; Subramanya T.;
6. Class 7: Group A, Junior SX1 150 to 250cc: Jinendra Sangave;
7. Class 8: Group A, Junior SX2 Upto 85cc: Akshat Hupale;
8. Class 9: Group A, Junior SX3 Upto 65cc: Bhairav C Gowda.
14. JK Tyre fmsci National Racing Championship 2024 (4W) (Promoter JK Tyre)
1. National Champion: Formula LGB: Tijil Rao;
2. Team champions: Dark Don Racing;
3. National champ Novice: Dhruv Goswami.
Non-National events
15. F4 (Promoter: Racing Promotions Private Limited) Sponsor: Kingfisher Strong Soda.
Formula 4: Driver champ: Aqil Alibhai;
SPECIAL fmsci AWARDS
Outstanding Woman in Motorsports: Aishwarya Pissay;
From left Arindam Ghosh, fmsci president, and Special Awardees Sarthak Chavan and Aishwarya Pissay. Nikeetaa Takkale, the niece of Sanjay Takale, received the award on his behalf on 22 March 2025 in Chennai. Outstanding sportsperson (International): Sanjay Takle.
Outstanding sportsperson (International): Sarthak Chavan.
Special Awards (Volunteers and Officials)
Race Director: Manoj Dalal, MMSC;
Marshal: Subash H;
Marshal: Gowthaman;
Doctor: Dr. Paramesh Kumar, MMSC;
CRO (Competitors Relations Officer):
Shrirang Machhe (Western India Motorsports Association), Nashik.
Marshal’s Team: Coimbatore Auto Sports Club.
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Lewis Hamilton takes Sprint pole at Shanghai: F1 Round 2
Shanghai, 21 March 2025: Lewis Hamilton took a stunning first pole position with Ferrari in qualifying for the Sprint at the 2025 FIA Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, narrowly beating Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, as early championship leader Lando Norris qualified in sixth place. Hamilton’s pole of 1:30.849 also sets a new lap record for the Shanghai International Circuit, beating Sebastian Vette’s 2018 Q3 time by almost a quarter of a second.
Verstappen set the early benchmark in SQ1 with a 1:32.329 that put him in half a second clear of Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar. Lewis Hamilton then took over at the top, exactly a tenth clear of Verstappen as Leclerc moved to second a hundredth off his team-mate.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was going much quicker, however, and the Australian took over in P1 with a time of 1:31.723, half a second clear of Hamilton. The free practice session’s quickest man Lando Norris put in a scruffy opening flyer, however and his 1:32.248 left him in fifth as Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso went second, just under four tenths off Piastri.
In the final runs of the segment, Norris corrected his earlier errors, and the championship leader vaulted to the top of the order with a lap of 1:31.396, but Hamilton was finding more pace, and the Ferrari drive topped the session with a time of 1:31.212. Leclerc took third in the other Ferrari ahead of Piastri, while defending champion Max Verstappen eased through in fifth.
There was disappointment for Verstappen’s new Red Bull team-mate Liam Lawson, however. The New Zealander had his final lap deleted for a track limits infringement at Turn 9 and he exited the session in last place.
Also ruled out at the end of SQ1 were Alpine’s Jack Doohan who had his final time deleted and dropped out in P16 ahead of team-mate Pierre Gasly, Haas’ Esteban Ocon, Sauber’s Nico Hülkenberg and the unfortunate Lawson.
In the middle segment it was Norris who led the way, with the Briton setting the pace at 1:31.174, 0.188s ahead of team-mate Piastri and a little under four tenths ahead of Verstappen.
The top three sat out the final minutes of the session and that allowed Mercedes’s George Russell to sneak ahead of Piastri 0.172 off Norris. Hamilton also improved, taking fourth ahead of Andrea Kimi Antonelli who relegated Verstappen to sixth ahead of Williams’ Alex Albon and Leclerc.
The last two through to top 10 shootout were Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Racing Bulls’ Yiuki Tsunoda, which meant there was no place in SQ3 for Alonso who slipped out in P11, two hundredths of a second off Tsunoda. Haas’ Oliver Bearman went out in P12, and the Briton was followed to the exit by Williams’ Carlos Sainz, Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto and Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar.
After Norris’ pacesetting efforts in the middle segment, it was Piastri who grabbed provisional pole in their first runs of SQ3, ahead of Russell, while Norris had a snap heading onto the back straight and lost time all the way down the straight to slip to third.
But while the McLarens would go again, it was Hamilton who found the most time on the Shanghai track and the seven-time champion took his first Sprint pole for Ferrari with a time of 1:30.849.
Verstappen almost pipped the Ferrari driver but lost fractions of time in the final sector to cross the line in P2 just 0.018s behind. Piastri was left with third on 1:30.929 and Leclerc took fourth place ahead of Russell. Norris, meanwhile, finished sixth after locking up into Turn 14 on his final flyer. Antonelli took a solid seventh in his second qualifying session with Mercedes ahead of Tsunoda, Albon and Stroll.
2025 FIA Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix – Sprint Qualifying
1 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:30.849 – –
2 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Honda RBPT 1:30.867 0.018
3 Oscar Piastri McLaren/Mercedes 1:30.929 0.080
4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:31.057 0.208
5 George Russell Mercedes 1:31.169 0.320
6 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes 1:31.393 0.544
7 Andrea Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:31.738 0.889
8 Yuki Tsunoda Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT 1:31.773 0.924
9 Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes 1:31.852 1.003
10 Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Mercedes 1:31.982 1.133
11 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin/Mercedes 1:31.815 0.966
12 Oliver Bearman Haas/Ferrari 1:31.978 1.129
13 Carlos Sainz Williams/Mercedes 1:32.325 1.476
14 Gabriel Bortoleto Sauber/Ferrari 1:32.564 1.715
15 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT – – –
16 Jack Doohan Alpine/Renault 1:32.575 1.726
17 Pierre Gasly Alpine/Renault 1:32.640 1.791
18 Esteban Ocon Haas/Ferrari 1:32.651 1.802
19 Nico Hülkenberg Sauber/Ferrari 1:32.675 1.826
20 Liam Lawson Red Bull/Honda RBPT 1:32.729 1.880 -
Naveen Pulligilla, Musa Sherif set for historic WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2025 debut
Nairobi (Kenya), 19 March 2025: Indian motorsport marks a significant milestone as Naveen Pulligilla and Musa Sherif are set to become the first all-Indian team in WRC as they compete in the iconic Safari Rally Kenya 2025, a round of the World Rally Championship (WRC), from March 20 to 23.
Competing for Africa Eco Motorsport team, the duo will take part in the WRC3 ARC3 class (African Rally Championship) in one of the most-gruelling events in the WRC calendar. Based in Naivasha, Kenya, the rally will feature 21 challenging stages spanning a competitive distance of 383.10 km, with a total rally distance of 1381.92 km, testing endurance and skill.
“The Safari Rally is one of the toughest challenges in motorsport, but we are prepared for the grind. Our goal is to finish strong and gain valuable experience,” said co-driver Musa Sherif.
“This is a dream come true. Competing in the WRC Safari Rally is a huge honour, and we are ready to showcase what Indian rallying is capable of,” added driver Naveen Pulligilla, who recently completed pre-rally testing in Indonesia in a Rally3 car, with technical assistance from MRU Motorsport, Malaysia.
Pulligilla, an accomplished off-road driver from Hyderabad, competed in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship in New Zealand last year. His co-driver, Musa Sherif from Kasargod, is India’s most decorated co-driver with over 33 years of experience, ten national championship titles, and participation in 331 rallies, including 91 international events. Both actively compete in the Indian National Rally Championship. Naveen’s precise and aggressive driving style, combined with Musa’s seasoned navigation and strategy, sets the stage for a landmark Indian presence in WRC.
The 2025 Safari Rally Kenya, the third round of the WRC season, is renowned for its demanding terrain, unpredictable weather, and breathtaking landscapes. The rally will include stages such as Camp Moran, Loldia, and Hell’s Gate, known for their technical complexity and natural beauty.
This historic participation marks a proud moment for Indian motorsport. “Hope it paves the way for greater recognition of Indian rallying talent, and hopefully inspires more Indians to race abroad,’’ concluded Naveen and Musa.
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Eshanth Vengatesan wins third place in ROK Cup Round 1 finals at Singapore
Singapore, 18 March 2025: The 13-year-old Eshanth Vengatesan from Chennai notched up a brilliant podium in the ROK Cup Junior Karting Championship held in Singapore on March 15 and 16.
Eshanth took the final spot on the podium, finishing third in the final race of Round 1 in the ROK Cup Junior section at the KF1 Circuit in Singapore. The ROK Cup Singapore kicked off last weekend with 47 drivers on the grid across 4 categories namely Mini, Junior, Senior, and Rookie. Satt Kotak, Conrad Garrow, Dillan Tan, took dominant wins in the first 3 categories respectively.
Eshanth, who finished runners-up in the fmsci Rotax Max National Karting Championship Junior category last year is a student of SBOA Global School, Anna Nagar, Chennai. The MSport karter won the first runner-up place in the OK-Junior Championship last year and was nominated by the Indian Federation (fmsci) to represent India in the FIA Karting Academy Junior Championship to be held later this year in Europe with rounds in Spain, Germany and Italy.
Born on 17th September 2011, Eshanth made his debut in the Indian National Championship in 2022 and won his debut race in the Micro Max class. He finished runner-up in the Nationals that year to take a deserving ‘Best Newcomer Award’. Later, he represented India in the Asia Pacific Championship held in Malaysia in 2023 and Singapore in 2024. Before returning to India, he started as a cadet in Singapore at the age of 9 and displayed good speed and skills to match the pace of seniors. In 2023, he also finished second in the Meritus Cup.
The Sebastian Vettel fan will be looking forward to a fruitful season in India, apart from his international OKJ races.
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Marc Marquez wins ahead of brother Alexas Morbidelli makes podium return: MotoGP
A tense fight between the brothers unfolds in Termas as Morbidelli keeps Bagnaia behind to clinch a long-awaited Grand Prix podium with Ducati
Termas de Rio Hondo (Argentina), 16 March 2025: Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) lit up his comeback run again in Termas de Rio Hondo as the famous #93 battled his way past younger brother Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) in the closing stages of the Gran Premio YPF Energía de Argentina to remain undefeated. Third place went the way of Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), the Italian returning to a Sunday parc ferme for the first time since 2021, as Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) is forced to settle for P4 in Termas de Rio Hondo.
How it unfolded at the front: Marquez vs Marquez, Morbidelli climbs to P3
Marc Marquez fended off Alex Marquez to collect the holeshot into Turn 1 as drama unfolded for Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing). The Italian, who made contact with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) after struggling to get his RS-GP stopped into Turn 1, crashed at the opening corner. Rider ok, and Quartararo dropped back.
At the front, Johann Zarco (LCR Honda CASTROL) was hounding third place Bagnaia, with Turn 8 a popular passing place for the Frenchman. This squabbling between Pecco and Zarco saw the Marquez brothers skip to a 0.7s lead, with Alex shadowing Marc in the opening three laps.
On Lap 4, there was a change for the lead. Alex Marquez capitalised on a small mistake made by Marc Marquez at Turn 1, as blue led red for the first time in Argentina. Meanwhile, Morbidelli had picked his way past Zarco and Bagnaia to climb into P3.
After a busy opening handful of laps, the Grand Prix settled down a tad as the riders settled into their early race rhythms. The blue corner Marquez was leading the red corner Marquez by 0.3s, Morbidelli was 0.7s behind the #93, with Bagnaia a further 0.8s off the back of his fellow Italian. Zarco, meanwhile, was 0.3s behind the #63 Ducati.
On Lap 11, it was as you were at the front. Bagnaia was losing ground though on the top three and Zarco was still swarming all over the rear end of his GP25. A couple of laps later, Morbidelli began to lose touch with Alex Marquez and Marc Marquez, but crucially, the #21 was still over a second clear of Bagnaia and Zarco.
With 10 to go, Marc Marquez had a bit of a moment coming through the fast Turn 11. It was a warning that cost the six-time MotoGP World Champion a couple of tenths, but a lap later, that deficit had been clawed back. And now, the #93 was properly swarming all over the rear Michelin tyre of Alex Marquez.
The closing stages: Marc Marquez makes his move
Lap 18 of 25 – an attempted pass. Marc Marquez lunged at Turn 5 but couldn’t get his bike hooked up and stopped in time, so Alex Marquez kept the lead with seven laps to go. And having run wide, the margin between the leader and chaser was up to 0.4s.
What a showdown it was. On Lap 19, the brothers exchanged fastest laps of the race, with Marc going slightly quicker to latch himself on the back of Alex. Then, another move. Again it was Turn 5 and this time, it was a pass that stuck. Now it was all about whether Alex Marquez had anything in response.
The early signs were no, there wasn’t a response. With four laps to go, Marc Marquez stretched his advantage to 0.7s. At the beginning of Lap 22 of 25, the gap was then just over a second, as Marc Marquez’s teammate Bagnaia was trying to put a late attack together to steal P3 from Morbidelli.
LAST LAP! Marc Marquez held a 1.5s lead over Alex Marquez, with Bagnaia 0.5s behind Morbidelli. Could the 2022 and 2023 MotoGP World Champion find a way to earn a late podium? No he couldn’t. And Alex Marquez couldn’t do anything about Marc Marquez from clinching another victory in 2025 as the #93 made it four wins from four – two Sprints, two Grands Prix – to begin his factory Ducati career in perfect fashion.
Another brilliant effort from Alex Marquez saw the #73 finish second again, as Morbidelli clung on to pocket his first MotoGP podium since the 2021 Spanish GP. Bagnaia was breathing down his neck but the latter walks away from Argentina with an underwhelming P4.
Points scorers: Argentina Sunday edition
On the final lap, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) pinched P5 away from the incredibly impressive Zarco, as Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) collected a P7 after yesterday’s Lap 1 crash in the Tissot Sprint. Reigning Moto2 World Champion Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) produced a stellar ride to cross the line in P8 from 15th on the grid, but was then disqualified after the race for using a version of software not homologated by the Championship. That moves Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) up into P8 and means three Hondas are classified in the top 10 as each rider behind gains a place – putting Joan Mir in ninth and Honda HRC Castrol teammate Luca Marini in tenth.
That’s the Italian’s best Sunday result in Honda colours, as Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP), Quartararo and Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) rounded out the points scorers in Termas.
Two Sprints, two Grands Prix, four wins for Marc Marquez. It’s been a magical start to 2025 for the six-time MotoGP King and next up is a trip to the Circuit of The Americas – a track the #93 adores. Can anyone halt Marc Marquez’s momentum in Austin? Alex Marquez and Bagnaia will be two riders who’ll be desperate to do just that.
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Marc Marquez slams in a 1:36 for pole, Zarco completes front row behind Alex Marquez
Marc Marquez slams in a 1:36 for pole, Zarco completes front row behind Alex Marquez
Termas de Rio Hondo 15 March 2024: Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) has now taken back-to-back poles for the first time since 2019, with another stunner coming in from the #93 at the Gran Premio YPF Energia de Argentina. His 1:36.917 is the first ever 1:36 of the venue, a new lap record, and puts him quarter of a second clear at the top.
Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), who was close on Friday too, is next on the chase in second, with Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) making some magic in third for Honda’s first front row since 2023 – just 0.042 off the #73 ahead.
STORY OF QUALIFYING: the battle for Q2
An early hot lap on bagged Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) a slot at the top with Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) in hot pursuit in P2 provisionally, but the final 4 minutes were going to be dramatic as everyone hit the track for their shot at going into Q2. It was all over at Turn 2 for Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda LCR) who fell and would therefore not improve, whilst Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) replicated his fellow rookie a lap later, likewise missing out on a plac in Q2. On the first lap of his second run, Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) then came to the fore and went P2, demoting Miller to P3 and joining Morbidelli in the pole shootout.
Q2 CORKER: #93 on fire to annihilate lap record
The business end of qualifying: Q2 ignited and straight away, the lap record was obliterated by none other than Marc Marquez, who was fractionally outside the first-ever 1’36s motorcycle lap of the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit. A huge performance by Zarco then put him provisionally on the front row, and it looked like that eas actually quite a benchmark for the rest.
With the final five minutes beckoning, it was full throttle to try and better their lap times. Alex Marquez was following his brother, whilst Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) salvaged P4. However, it was his teammate Marquez who was lighting up the time screens; on his penultimate flying lap, he set the first and only-ever 1’36 lap of Termas de Rio Hondo. A 1’36.917 sees him go from pole, his first back-to-back poles since 2019’s Austrian and British Grands Prix. Alex Marquez secures P2 and Zarco clung on to a first Honda front row and his first since 2023’s season-closing Grand Prix in Valencia, with no one else able to pip the Frenchman.
FIREWORKS BEHIND: dark horses in top places
It’s fourth place for Pecco who seeks to make a traditional fast start off the line but he’ll have ‘El Tiburon’ Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) for company too, with the #37 putting himself right in amongst the sharp end of the grid. Completing the second row, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) is still less than a tenth of a second off the front row and after he was second fastest on Friday.
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) bettered his season opener qualifying with P7 in Argentina, ahead of Q1 ascendant Morbidelli. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) goes from P9, one place ahead of Mir, with the 2020 World Champion making it two Hondas in the top ten in tenth. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) round out the Q2 field, with Rins taking his best grid slot since Sepang last year after direct entry to Q2 gained on Friday too.
Now it’s nearly time to Tissot Sprint. Join us at 15:00 (UTC-3) for a tango to remember!
