INDIA in F1

Tag: F4

  • Ruhaan Alva bags a grand double in F4; Goa Aces JA Racing clinch IRL title

    Ruhaan Alva bags a grand double in F4; Goa Aces JA Racing clinch IRL title

    Coimbatore, 17 November 2024: Bengaluru’s racing star Ruhaan Alva of Shrachi Rarh Royal Bengal Tigers closed the championship in style bagging a grand double in the FIA Formula 4 Indian Championship while Raoul Hyman and Gabriela Jilkova not only delivered a 1-2 finish for Goa Aces JA Racing but also helped the team clinch the Indian Racing League championship as the curtains came down at the Kari Motor Speedway, here on Sunday.

    South African teenager Aqil Alibhai (Hyderabad Blackbirds) clinched the F4 title. Alva finished second in the Championship as the fifth and final round of the IRL promoted by Racing Promotions private limited concluded on Sunday.

    Alibhai, enjoying a successful season with six wins, had two podium finishes (P2 and P3) today which fetched sufficient points to win him the crown.

    South African teenager Aqil Alibhai (Hyderabad Blackbirds) clinched the F4 title

    Alva displayed rare sparks of aggression as he won the day’s first race starting from P5 on the reverse grid easily outpacing Alibhai and Divy Nandan (Bangalore Speedsters). He carried the momentum to win the next from P4 ahead of Canadian Hady Noah Mimassi (Chennai Turbo Riders) and Alibhai. In both races, the 18-year-old came up with a couple of daring moves to notch deserving wins.

    An unperturbed Alibhai played it smart. With one eye on the points, he was content to run in P2 behind Alva in the first race as the Indian took the honours by over nine seconds. Alibhai had enough lead on third-placed Nandan to survive a 10-second post-race penalty for a “infringement”.

    The P2 finish ensured Alibhai the championship as he led Alva by 29 points going into the final race which had a maximum of 26 on offer.

    For the several Indian drivers, the season in F4 was an eye-opener in the context of the level of competition at this level. The championship made it affordable for the home-grown racers to take the next step up in their racing careers and the experience should stand them in good stead going forward.

    Alibhai said: “I wanted to finish the season with a win, but it was not to be. But I have had a good season, and I am very happy to win the championship. Going forward, let’s see where this success takes me.”

    Indian Racing League

    Raoul Hyman tops IRL race as Goa Aces clinch title on Sunday at Kari Speedway. Photo by Rahul Reghu

    Raoul Hyman and Gabriela Jilkova not only delivered a 1-2 finish for Goa Aces JA Racing but also helped the team clinch the Indian Racing League championship. There was icing on Goa Aces’ cake too as the team also won the car championship to finish the season with a memorable double.

    Going into the final race which began after sharp showers, the Goa Aces led Shrachi Rarh Royal Bengal Tigers by just two points, but the latter virtually handed over the championship on a platter within seconds after the race commenced from a rolling start following a crash.

    Ruhaan Alva, sandwiched between pole-sitter Hyman and Jilkova in P2, lost the rear of his car, slid across the track and rammed into Akash Gowda (Speed Demons Delhi) just as they approached the start-finish line, leading to their retirement. The Safety Car made a brief appearance before racing resumed.

    Thereafter, Hyman and Jilkova cruised along without any serious challenge with the former eventually winning by 28 seconds as they came up with a 1-2 finish for their team which followed yesterday’s win by their team-mate Sohil Shah. Mohd Ryan (Chennai Turbo Riders) completed the podium.

    The second Shrachi Rarh Royal Bengal Tigers car, driven by Malaysian Alister Yoong, finished a distant seventh.

    “We are very happy for the 1-2 finish. We are grateful to the team for giving us cars that won the races for us. It is their hardwork which enabled us to win the championship,” said Hyman.

    The two-day Indian Racing Festival was sponsored by Kingfisher Soda, JK Tyres, Mobil 1 and Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited.

    The results (Provisional):

    John Abraham with Goa Aces Team Medium

    Indian Racing League (Race-2, Driver-B) 25 mins+1 lap:1. Raul Hyman (UK, Goa Aces JA Racing) (26:39.020); 2.Gabriela Jilkova (Czech Republic, Goa Aces JA Racing) (27:07.684);3. Mohamed Ryan (India, Chennai Turbo Riders) (27:29.813). Best Lap:Raoul Hyman (01:10.359).

    Formula 4 Indian Open (Race-2, 25mins+1 lap):1. Ruhaan Alva (India, Shrachi Rarh Royal Bengal Tigers) (26:55.114);2. Aqil Alibhai (South Africa, Hyderabad Blackbirds) (27:14.880);3. Divy Nandan (India, Bangalore Speedsters) (27:24.987).Best Lap:Ruhaan Alva (01:06.492).

    Race-3:1. Ruhaan Alva (India, Shrachi Rarh Royal Bengal Tigers) (27:00.884);2. Hady Noah Mimassi (Canada, Chennai Turbo Riders) (27:10.373);3. Aqil Alibhai (South Africa, Hyderabad Blackbirds) (27:16.425).Best Lap:RuhaanAlva (01:06.386).

  • Ruhaan Alva, Veer Sheth, Alibhai win a race each: Indian F4

    Ruhaan Alva, Veer Sheth, Alibhai win a race each: Indian F4

    Chennai, 15 Sept. 2024: Jaden Pariat ‘won’ on the track, but was stripped away and demoted to P8 in Race 3, as the final day of Round 3 of the Formula 4 Indian Championship, produced three different winners in three races held on Sunday.

    The premier F4 championship was held along with the Indian Racing League and the JK Tyre National Racing Championship at the Madras International Circuit, Irungattukottai, near here.

    Ruhaan Alva of Shrach Rarh Bengal Tigers, Veer Sheth of Ahmedabad Apex Racers, who moved up from P2 to P1 after Bangalore Speedsters’ racer winner Jaden Pariat was docked a 20-second penalty, and South African Aqil Alibhai (Black Birds Hyderabad), all won a race each in the three F4 races today. Jaden won the Indian F4 Race 1 on Saturday.

    From left – Isaac Demellweek, Aqil Alibhai, Ruhaan’s team principal, Ruhaan Alva and Jaden Pariat at MIC on Sunday. Photo by IRL

    In the day’s first race, Alva was in a league of his once he moved to the front in the very first lap and was simply unstoppable. As the race progressed, Australian teenager Isaac Demellweek (Chennai Turbo Riders), Alibhai, Pariat and pole-sitter Aiva Anagnostiadis (Goa Aces JA Racing), the 2021 Australian female karting champion, settled into a formation behind Alva until the Safety Car came into play in the 15th minute which bunched up the grid. On resumption with close to two minutes and one lap left, Alibhai and Pariat jumped to P2 and P3 behind Alva who continued serenely to victory while also being credited with the fastest lap of the race.

    IRL cars lined up at MIC on Sunday. Photos IRL

    In the next race, it was Pariat all the way after surviving a contact with Alibhai while trying to regain his track position. The incident pushed Alibhai to P16 but he finished P4 eventually. Pariat was docked a post-race 20-second penalty “for causing avoidable collision” and it dropped him to eighth in the final standings. Consequently, Veer Sheth, Ruhaan Alva and Abhay Mohan (Bangalore Speedsters) all moved up a spot to finish first, second and third, respectively.

    In the final race, Alibhai built a winning lead after moving from P3 to P1 before Turn-1 in the very first lap and enjoyed a trouble-free run to spare nearly 19 seconds to second-placed Divy Nandan (Ahmedabad Apex Racers) and Ruhaan Alva who did well to hold off an aggressive Pariat in the latter half of the race.

    IRL

    Mohammed Ryan converted a pole position start to a maiden win while delivering a double for Chennai Turbo Riders the Indian Racing League races. The 22-year-old Ryan’s win came on the back of team-mate Jon Lancaster’s success in IRL Race-1 yesterday.

    Mohd Rayan takes a win from pole in the IRL race on Sunday at MIC. Photos supplied by IRL

    The 2019 Rotax Karting champion Ryan, racing on home circuit, had a brilliant start and put in consistent fast laps for his first win in the IRL which triggered celebrations in the Chennai Turbo Riders.

    While Ryan disappeared into the distance at the start, Sohil Shah (Goa Aces JA Racing) moved aggressively past Jaden Pariat (Bangalore Speedsters) going into Turn-1. Pariat then dropped one more spot when team-mate Rishon Rajeev got a jump on him later in the opening lap. The top three then maintained their track positions without much ado, while behind them others scrapped for points.

    An elated Ryan said: “I had a good start and kept my focus to put some consistent laps. I am happy that my team, Chennai Turbo Riders won both the IRL races this weekend and picked up some big points.”

    The Indian Racing League and Indian F4 Championship, to be held over five rounds, is sponsored by Kingfisher Soda, JK Tyres, Mobil 1 and Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited.

    JK Tyre-fmsci Indian National Championship

    Bengaluru’s Tijil Rao led a podium sweep for Dark Don Racing team as he came up with a brilliant drive starting from P5 for his third win in six starts this season.

    Finishing behind him were team-mates Viswas Vijayaraj from Nellore and Coimbatore’s Bala Prasath. Despite losing the front nose cone of his car, Bala Prasath gave a fine exhibition of defensive driving to hold off rookie and Bengaluru teenager Dhruv Goswami (MSPORT) over the last three of the 10-lap race.

    Goswami, in fact, started from P12 on the grid and aided by some daring overtakes, all but managed to secure a podium spot in the overall standings, though he topped the Rookie category, way ahead of Monith Kumaran (Ahura Racing) and Abhinav Reddy (Avalanche Racing).

    The weekend results put Tijil Rao on top of the overall leaderboard while Goswami also moved up the championship standings in the Rookie category.

    The Round 4 of the Indian Racing Festival will be held on October 19-20 at the Kari Motor Speedway, Coimbatore.

    The results (Provisional):

    Veer Seth, was promoted as the winner of Indian F4 Championship Race 3 at MIC on Sunday.

    Indian Racing League: Race-2 (B Driver) (25 minutes + 1 Lap):1. Mohammed Ryan (India, Chennai Turbo Riders) (26mins, 57.602secs);2. Sohil Shah (India, Goa Aces JA Racing) (26:59.183);3. Rishon Rajeev (India, Bangalore Speedsters) (27:14.841).

    Formula 4 Indian (25mins + 1 Lap):

    Race-2:1. Ruhaan Alva (India, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers) (28:16.720); 2. Aqil Alibhai (South Africa, Black Birds Hyderabad) (28:17.475); 3. Jaden Pariat (India, Bangalore Speedsters) (28:18.697).

    Race-3: 1.Veer Sheth (India, Ahmedabad Apex Racers) (27:41.457); 2. Ruhaan Alva (India, ShrachiRarh Bengal Tigers) (27:41.622); 3. Abhay Mohan (India, Bangalore Speedsters) (27:43.916).

    Race-4: 1. Aqil Alibhai (South Africa, Black Birds Hyderabad) (27:31.329); 2. Divy Nandan (India, Ahmedabad Apex Racers) (27:50.567); 3. Ruhaan Alva (India, ShrachiRarh Bengal Tigers) (27:51.089).

    JK Tyre-FMSCI Indian National Racing Championship:

    Formula LGB 4: Race-3 (10 Laps):1. Tijil Rao (Bengaluru, Dark Don Racing) (19:42.876); 2. Viswas Vijayaraj (Nellore, Dark Don Racing) (19:44.762); 3. Bala Prasath (Coimbatore, Dark Don Racing) (19:52.697).

    Rookie: 1. Dhruvh Goswami (Bengaluru, MSport) (19:52.770); 2. Monith Kumaran (Chennai, Ahura Racing) (19:59.569); 3. K Abhinav Reddy (Hyderabad, Avalanche Racing) (20:05.030).

  • Indian F4 and IRL: Chennai is all set for historic night races

    Indian F4 and IRL: Chennai is all set for historic night races

    Chennai, 30 August 2024: The Indian Racing Festival 2024 edition is all set to revv up for the country’s first-ever night race, as Chennai gears up for an electrifying weekend that promises to make history with a perfect backdrop of the iconic Island Ground under the twinkling starlight.

    Nestled in the heart of this vibrant metropolis, the 3.5-km street circuit features 19 turns, multiple chicane and fast straights, including the striking Napier Bridge, painted in a chequered flag design as the zooming formula cars and the drivers will zoom by the War Memorial. Presented by Kingfisher Soda and promoted by Racing Promotions private limited, the night race will be nothing short of a spectacle and a monumental step forward for Indian motorsports.

    Supported by the Tamil Nadu government, this race aims to elevate Chennai’s status as a motorsport capital by offering fans an unparalleled experience. With packed houses in attendance having close to 9,000 spectators the streets of Chennai will be transforming itself to etch themselves among the global few when it comes to having Night Street Circuit in the world.

    IRL Press meet, from left: Jon Lancaster, Ruhaan Alva, Gabriella Jikova, Raoul Hyman, Hugh Barter, Mohd Ryan, Chethan Korada at a hotel in Chennai on 30 Aug 2024. IRL photo

    Dr. Atulya Misra, Additional Chief Secretary to Youth Welfare and Sports Development said: “Lot of efforts have been undertaken to bring this milestone night circuit to life in the streets of Chennai. It is not only a prestigious moment for India but will also propel Chennai and Tamil Nadu in the global map as a strong Motorsports destination. While every effort is going into the smooth execution of the race and create a thrilling street circuit which will not only be a spectacle to watch out for but also will be as competitive as one can imagine. This is not just a race; it’s a celebration of speed, skill, and the spirit of Chennai.”

    With IRL cars expected to exceed speeds of 200 kmh, the street track is set to push drivers to their limits as they strive to master the circuit configurations and manoeuvre for maximum speed and impact and on the grid which rums amidst multiple landmarks such as the centuries-old Fort St. George and the renowned Marina Beach in the whole stretch.

    “We have done the hard yards to ensure that spectators enjoy the races in comfort and safety, and we are hopeful that India will be able to witness a grand success. We are indeed grateful to the Government of Tamil Nadu, the SDAT team, and every other department that helped us to put this landmark race together,” said Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director of Racing Promotions Private Limited (RPPL), promoters of IRF.

    As the excitement builds for the upcoming Indian Racing League event, some of the participating racers shared their thoughts on what this moment means to them. Their words reflect not only their passion for the sport but also the significance of the event in the broader context of Indian motorsport.

    The six city-based franchise teams of Indian Racing League (IRL)– Chennai Turbo Chargers, Goa Aces JA Racing, Speed Demons Delhi, Bangalore Speedsters, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, and Hyderabad Blackbirds along with eight teams (includes six teams of IRL and two more teams. Ahmedabad Apex Racers and Godspeed Kochi)  will be speeding as part of the FIA Formula 4 India Championships, are all charged up for this historic weekend.

    Chetan Korada, the first Asian racer ever to win a race using prosthetic feet. Photo by Srinivasa Krishnan

    Chethan Korada, the first Asian racer ever to win a race using prosthetic feet expressed his excitement on getting an opportunity to drive at the night circuit said,”It’s a great honor to be part of this event, and I’m deeply grateful to the government for this incredible opportunity. Racing has been my passion for the last 18 years, and I’ve competed in nearly every motorsport during that time. Reaching this point hasn’t been easy, and I want to thank Arman Ibrahim for the scholarship that made this possible. Racing on roads I’ve known since childhood is truly a dream come true, and I’m looking forward to the race.”

    With experience of driving as part of European Formula 4 teams, India origin driver, Nikhil Bohra who is representing Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers said, “It is such a glamorous event that is not only a statement for Indian motorsport, but it’s just a statement around the world. I mean, to do this in a country with over one billion people is next level. I just have a huge respect for everyone who put this together. So, thank you for inviting me back, and I’m looking forward to this weekend.

    The Goa Aces woman driver, Gabriela Jikova, who got a podium in Round 1 at the Press Conference on Friday. Photos by Srinivasa Krishnan

    The Goa Aces woman driver, Gabriela Jikova who had a podium finish in Round 1 said, “Motorsport, much like on the men’s side, has traditionally been male-dominated, but we’re seeing a significant change. Today, more women are getting involved, and this is evident in the Indian Racing League, where we have a growing number of female participants. Comparing it to my early days in karting, there were far fewer girls back then. It’s exciting to see women’s motorsport growing, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. We’re doing our best on the track, and I believe we’re doing a great job. Thank you.”

    In the first round at Madras International Circuit on August 24-25, the Bengal Tigers excelled, with all drivers scoring points. Alister Yoong won Race-2, and Ruhaan Alva secured P3 in Race-1. In the Formula 4 segment, Australia’s Hugh Barter rebounded from a last-lap retirement in Race-1 to win the next two races, including a remarkable victory from P15 on the grid.

    Great start for Ruhaan Alva of Bengaluru, who had a P3 in both F4 and IRL in the first round.

    The event kicks off at 2 pm on both Saturday and Sunday, offering spectators plenty of entertainment, including car stunts and “hot laps” by bike riders.

    JK TYRE-FMSCI INDIAN NATIONAL RACING CHAMPIONSHIP

    The Round-2 of the 29th JK Tyre-FMSCI Indian National Racing Championship, made up of Formula LGB4 class with a 24-car grid, will run concurrently, and thus, it will set another landmark by becoming the first domestic motor racing competition to have night races.

    Last weekend’s double-header witnessed some of the closest racing in recent memory, with the low-cost, entry-level Formula cars going wheel-to-wheel at tremendous pace. Dark Don team-mates, Bala Prasath (Coimbatore) and Tijil Rao (Bengaluru) survived the hectic competition to win a race apiece.

    KEY INFORMATIONS FOR SPECTATOR MOVEMENT

    To be a part of the first ever night race in Chennai, attendees are directed to specific gates and box offices based on their seating and ticket categories:

    • Box Office 1 – Gate No. 2: Serves Grandstand 1, with entry from Muthuswamy Road/Bridge.
    • Box Office 3 – Gate No. 4: Serves Grandstands 2, 3, 4 & 5, with parking at Kalavaram Ground and entry from Wallajah Road to Press Club Road.
    • Box Office 4 – Gate No. 5: For the Media Stand, meeting at Tamil Nadu State Guesthouse, with entry from Wallajah Road to Press Club Road.
    • Box Office 5 – Gate No. 6: Caters to Gold, Platinum, and Premium Lounges, with parking at Madras University and entry from Kamarajar Road.

    About Indian Racing Festival 

    The Indian Racing Festival (IRF) is a meticulously curated motorsport event designed to captivate the growing motorsport fan base in India. The Indian Racing League (IRL) and the Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC) are the two championships under the Indian Racing Festival banner. Notably, the Indian Racing League is FMSCI (Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India) approved, adding a level of prestige and official recognition to the competition.

    ● The Indian Racing League (IRL) is India’s only 4-wheel racing league and the world’s first gender-neutral racing championship series, promoting inclusivity and competitive spirit. IRL features six city-based teams competing in a dynamic franchise-based competition.

    ● Formula 4 is an open-wheel, single-seater racing category intended for junior drivers. It is the first step of the ladder for an aspiring racing driver from karting to single-seater racing.

    The FIA-certified Formula 4 Indian Championship has begun to attract young and aspiring drivers from around the world and the country. It creates an opportunity for young drivers in their single-seater journey with minimal investment from their end. The drivers gain Super License points and the Indian talent gets to do this at home instead of going abroad. 

    About Sports Development Authority of Tamil Naidu

    The Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) is dedicated to promoting sports and physical fitness across Tamil Nadu. Leveraging resources from government, sports associations, philanthropists, institutions, and sports enthusiasts, SDAT aims to foster a thriving sports culture and enhance physical well-being throughout the State.

    About Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd. 

    Racing Promotions Private Ltd., co-founded by Akhilesh Reddy and professional race drivers Armaan Ebrahim and Aditya Patel in 2019, aims to bridge the gap between racing talent and opportunities. The franchise model, a first in Indian motorsports, emphasizes creating lasting engagement opportunities for teams, drivers, fans, and sponsors while promoting inclusivity and competitive spirit. 

    Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd. (RPPL) is dedicated to forging a holistic motorsport ecosystem in India, with the mission to host FIA-caliber events and create pathways for aspiring individuals to pursue careers as drivers, engineers, and mechanics. Committed to revolutionizing motorsport, RPPL also aims to bolster motorsport education and awareness across the nation.

  • Chennai Formula street circuit, gets a facelift; all set to host the Round 2 of IRL & Indian F4

    Chennai Formula street circuit, gets a facelift; all set to host the Round 2 of IRL & Indian F4

    Chennai, 27 August 2024: The Chennai Formula Circuit is in Work in Progress state to host the second round of the Indian Racing League. INDIAinF1 consultant photo editor Srinivasa Krishnan is on a reccee and here is a selection of photographs that depict the status of the circuit as on 27 August 2024.

    Named as Chennai Formula Racing Circuit, CFRC, will host the second round of the Indian Racing League and the Indian F4 championship, the highest rated event after Formula 1 that is being held in India. The Street Circuit will be the second in the country, after Hyderabad hosted the first IRL, also on a street circuit and the 2023 Hyderabad ePrix, the Formula E race.

    The LED floodlights that are being installed are shown here! One can see Sir Thomas Munro statue at the end… PHOTOS by Srinivasa Krishnan

    The 3.5KM street circuit in the heart of Chennai, is conceived by Racing Promotions Private Limited (RPPL), the organisers of IRL and F4 in collaboration with the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT). The circuit was formally launched on August 16 and is all set to host India’s first-ever night street race. It was planned to host the IRL and F4 India round on 9 and 10 December 2023. However, the race was canceled due to the cylone Michaung.

    The stretch opposite to Shivananda circle

    The 3.500 km (2.175 mi) circuit around Island grounds will run through Flag Staff Road, Victory War Memorial, Pallavan Road (junction), Sivananda circle and Napier Bridge and ends at Island Grounds. Unlike the planned elevation changes at Buddh International circuit, the Chennai street circuit used the natural roads that have significant elevation changes. It is within the view of the Bay of Bengal, within 400 metres of Marina Beach.

    The street circuit will run in an anti-clockwise direction and has 19 corners with multiple chicanes, the start grid is just ahead of the Napier Bridge. The pitlane and paddock will be on the Island Grounds. It is designed by Driven International, the group which built the Hyderabad Street Circuit. Karun Chandhok, India’s second Formula 1 driver, is a consultant for Driven International and he played a key role with his inputs.

    The Tamil Nadu government had supported the initiative under the leadership of Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, with a partnership that was worked out between Greater Chennai Corporation and Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. Racing Promotions (RPPL) has invested Rs.200 crores and the TN government has supported Rs. 42 crores.

  • Double for Hugh Barter in F4; India’s Divy Nandan earns maiden podium

    Double for Hugh Barter in F4; India’s Divy Nandan earns maiden podium

    Chennai, 25 August 2024: India’s rookie driver Divy Nandan from Gurugram secured his first-ever podium finish in the Indian F4 Championship, taking an impressive third place in Race 2 at the Madras International Circuit on Sunday.

    In the premier Indian Racing League (IRL) class, Malaysian driver Alister Yoong of the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers team demonstrated his racing prowess with a commanding lights-to-flag victory. Aussie driver Isaac Demellweek of Chennai Turbo Riders team came second ahead of Divy Nandan of Ahmedabad Apex Racers team. For Divy, the first trainee of Narain Karthikeyan Racing Academy, who took up racing only a few years back, this is a big moment in his fledgling career. Born on January 5th, 2003, the BBA Sports Management student of PES University, Bengaluru. Narain, the first Indian to race in Formula 1, took him under his wings in 2021 and fast tracked his growth and in four years, Divy had showed tremendous improvement by dint of hard work and committment.

    Meanwhile, Australia’s Hugh Barter, representing Godspeed Kochi, bounced back from a challenging Saturday by claiming a sensational double victory in the Formula 4 Indian Championship. The first round of the Indian Racing Festival, promoted by Racing Promotions Private Limited, concluded on a high note.

    Hugh Barter of Godspeed Kochi

    Starting from pole position, Yoong, the 21-year-old son of former Formula 1 driver Alex Yoong, showcased his exceptional skills, fending off an early challenge from Hyderabad Blackbirds’ Akhil Rabindra, who settled for second place.

    Leander Paes pats Yoong

    Indian tennis legend Leander Paes, was at hand to hug and congratulate Alister Yoong, immediately after his victory. The Kolkata giant is here to support the Shirachi Rarh Bengal Tigers team. “I had a beautiful car today. Absolutely no issues. So, yeah, I had a good start, and it is nice to win,” said Yoong.

    Tennis legend Leander Paes pats Alister Yoong, after his win. Photo by Srinivasa Krishnan
    Alister Yoong with the trophy. Photos by Srinivasa Krishnan

    Czech driver Gabriela Jilkova of Goa Aces JA Racing took third, delivering an impressive performance in a race that saw little change at the front during the 25-minute plus one-lap event.

    On the Formula 4 side, 19-year-old Hugh Barter from the Godspeed Kochi team dominated Race 2, winning by over 18 seconds, and followed it up with another convincing victory in Race 3. Even a Safety Car period, which bunched up the grid and erased his lead, couldn’t stop Barter’s charge. He earned 10 points for his Race 2 win, 25 points for Race 3, and additional bonus points for pole positions.

    Barter displayed relentless aggression in Race 2, climbing from P15 to P1 in just seven laps. He pulled away from the pack with his blistering pace. Australian Isaac Demellweek (Chennai Turbo Riders) finished second, with India’s Divy Nandan (Ahmedabad Apex Racers) taking third. Bengaluru teenager Abhay Mohan (Bangalore Speedsters) impressed as well, finishing eighth after starting in P16.

    In the next race, Barter got off to another strong start and built a lead of over 10 seconds before the Safety Car intervened due to an on-track incident. Once the race resumed, Barter quickly regained his lead, securing a comfortable win. Behind him, South African Aqil Alibhai (Hyderabad Blackbirds) finished second, followed by Ruhaan Alva (Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers) in third. Indian drivers Jaden Rahaman Pariat, Divy Nandan, and Abhay Mohan completed the top six, giving local fans more reasons to celebrate. For Alva, the weekend was especially fruitful with three podium finishes in five races across two categories.

    The Indian Racing Festival, spanning five rounds, will continue with the historic night street race in the heart of Chennai next weekend. The event is sponsored by Kingfisher Soda, JK Tyres, Mobil 1, and Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited.

    JK Tyre-FMSCI National Racing Championship

    In the Formula LGB4 class, Bengaluru’s Tijil Rao (Dark Don Racing) delivered a brilliant performance, combining aggression with defense to claim a well-deserved victory in Race 2. He held off veteran Raghul Rangasamy (MSPORT), while Mehul Agarwal (Dark Don Racing) from Kolkata secured third place with a last-lap push.

    The race featured some dramatic moments, beginning with pole-sitter Chetan Surineni (Ahura Racing) stalling on the grid, allowing Rao and Agarwal to take the lead. Despite a Safety Car period, the positions remained unchanged. Rao defended his lead brilliantly against Rangasamy, who had overtaken Agarwal, while Agarwal battled with Abhay Mohan before finishing in third. Behind them, Viswas Vijayaraj (Dark Don Racing) made a remarkable recovery from P15 to P10, and Neev Datta climbed from P21 to P8 in a 24-car grid.

    RE Continental Cup

    In the RE Continental Cup, Coimbatore’s Navaneeth Kumar S claimed victory over Race 1 winner Anish Shetty from Bengaluru in a close finish among the Professionals. The duo finished ahead of Chennai’s Soorya PM, who was promoted to third place after Abhishek Vasudev received a 30-second penalty for “overtaking under a yellow flag.”

    Navaneeth Kumar S (bike #6) wins Race 1 ahead of Anish Shetty bike #2)

    In the Amateur category, Bengaluru’s Yogesh P achieved a double with another dominant win, finishing Race 2 eight seconds ahead of Johnson Saldanha (Mangaluru), while Nijin A (Pathanamthitta) secured third place.

    The results (Provisional):

    Indian Racing League Race-2 (Driver B – 25mins+1 lap):1. Alister Yoong (Malaysia, Shirachi Rarh Bengal Tigers) 27mins, 15.226secs);2. Akhil Rabindra (India, Hyderabad Blackbirds) (27:19.810);3. Gabriela Jilkova (Czech Republic, Goa Aces JA Racing) (27:35.127). Fastest Lap: Sohil Shah

    Formula 4 Indian (Race-2, 25 mins+1 lap):1. Hugh Barter (Australia,Godspeed Kochi) (27:06.573);2. Isaac Demellweek (Australia, Chennai Turbo Riders) (27:25.297);3. Divy Nandan (India, Ahmedabad Apex Racers) (27:29.102). Fastest Lap: Hugh Barter

    Race-3 (25 mins+1 lap):1.Hugh Barter (Australia, Godspeed Kochi) (27:06.536);2. Aqil Alibhai (South Africa, Hyderabad Blackbirds) (27:10.134);3. Ruhaan Alva (India, Shirachi Rarh Bengal Tigers) (27:11.549). Fastest Lap: Hugh Barter

    JK Tyre-FMSCI National Racing Championship

    Formula LGB 4 (Race-2, 10 laps): 1. Tijil Rao (Bengaluru, Dark Don Racing) (21:38.184);2. Raghul Rangasamy (Mamallapuram, MSPORT) (21:38.653);3. Mehul Agarwal (Kolkata, Dark Don Racing) (21:41.780).

    RE Continental GT Cup (Race-2, 6 laps) Professionals: 1. Navaneeth Kumar S (Puducherry) (11:51.466);2. Anish Shetty (Bengaluru) (11:51.644);3.Soorya PM (Chennai) (11:56.614).

    Amateurs: 1. Yogesh P (Bengaluru) (12:47.013);2.Johnson Saldanha (Mangaluru) (12:55.118);3. Nijin A (Pathanamthitta, Kerala) (12:55.327).

  • Jaden Pariat selected for Ferrari Driver Academy trials

    Jaden Pariat selected for Ferrari Driver Academy trials

    Banbury (UK) 16 August 2023: Rising Indian motorsport star Jaden R Pariat has been invited to the Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) selection trials, as one of the best young talents in the Asia Pacific and Oceania region.

    The prestigious Ferrari Academy selection trials begin on September 23 at Sepang. The drivers will take part in track walks, engineer meetings, fitness testing, and importantly time behind the wheel of a Tatuus FIA F4-T421 machine on track. The top five drivers then head to the FDA Scouting World Finals in Maranello.

    Jaden Pariat who moved to the UK in 2022, is taking part in the full F4 British Championship with Phinsys by Argenti team. On his impressive debut weekend, the then 15-year-old scored a spot on the Rookie Cup podium, exemplifying his winning potential before getting a memorable podium victory at Donington Park.

    While more than 100 drivers applied the Ferrari Driver Academy programme, Jaden is selected as one of 25 drivers for six different countries who will now head to Sepang International Circuit for the five-day assessment process.

    Announcing the selection result Jaden Pariat said from his base in UK: “I am extremely happy to have been chosen to take part in the Ferrari Driver Academy selection trials in Malaysia. I have learned so much in almost a year of racing in the F4 British Championship and looking forward to trials for the Ferrari Driver Academy.”

    “It will be an enjoyable five days I am sure and there will be plenty for me to take away from the experience. But I am definitely going in with the intention of making it to the final five and hopefully, heading to Maranello for the World Finals,” the Shillong driver added.

    The Scuderia Ferrari programme aims to bring on talented youngsters and takes its inspiration from a comment made by Enzo Ferrari: “I love to think that Ferrari can make drivers as well as cars.” The Ferrari Driver Academy is not just a race driving school. It is a true academy where all aspects of their chosen profession are taught in a meticulous manner. Over the years, many of the Academy students have gone on to race at a high level. Charles Leclerc and Mick Schumacher among others made it all the way to Formula 1.

    Michael Smith of Motorsport Australia, who will be conducting the trials, said:“We’re looking forward to hosting 25 of the best young drivers from the Asia Pacific region. It’s exciting to see more drivers from outside of Australia in the FDA selections.”

  • Historic result for Jaden; only Indian in six years to get a British F4 podium

    Historic result for Jaden; only Indian in six years to get a British F4 podium

    Leicestershire (UK), 23 April 2023: Young Indian racing star Jaden Pariat of Argenti Motorsport displayed his immense talent with a podium in the first round of the ROKiT British F4 Championship at Donington Park here on Sunday. He is only the second Indian to get an international podium in a Tatuus F4 car after Kush Maini’s podium in 2017.

    “The podium is being hailed as a big milestone for the younger generation looking to break-through to higher levels of Formula racing. We are overwhelmed by the congratulatory messages and thank everyone who stood by us,” said Atikur Rehman, a former Indian national rally star and the force behind Jaden, who last year took a rookie podium in one of the two rounds he took part.

    The 16-year motorsports athlete from supported by Minerva’s Virtual Academy, Lyca Radio and Bobatree, scored a creditable Overall third place in Race 2. He overcame initial hiccups in the qualification session and took a P17 after slipping from P5 as he came for a tyre change and fell short of laps due to a red flag following an incident in front of him.

    Jaden Pariat, historic 3rd in six years after Kush Maini’s podium in 2017.

    Showing good pace and consistently the fastest of the four Phinsys by Argenti drivers in Thursday’s practice sessions, the teenager, from Northeast India, had high hopes of impressing as he started his first full year in the series. Joined on Saturday by lucky Lyca Radio competition winners who enjoyed VIP access to the British F4 paddock, Jaden was keen to put on a show for his guests. 
     
    Heading into qualifying on Saturday, Jaden was just 0.7s from pole position, but with the grid so closely matched, finished 18th fastest. However, his consistency paid off on second quickest times, as he would line up 13th for race one that afternoon and fourth for the reversed grid contest.
     
    Sadly, the teenager loaded the clutch too much on the line meaning the car switched off before the lights went out for the first race, falling down the order. However, he would have a chance to make amends as the red flag was shown when a rival went into the gravel. Starting 17th for the restart, he had a superb launch to gain two spots before he made it to turn one and, continuing to battle, making up five places in total, crossing the line 12th.
     
    Starting fourth for the fully reversed grid race, held in difficult, cool, and wet conditions on Sunday morning, Jaden drove well to avoid trouble with many of his rivals spinning off or coming into strife. Holding his own – when rival teammates came together in front of him – he crossed the line third for a superb maiden podium in the series. 
     
    The third and final race of the weekend provided yet more challenging conditions with rain falling once again – at times heavily – making for a slippery track surface. Marking a promising end to the opening weekend of the season, the young driver made up an excellent six places to finish 12th once again.

    Jaden R Pariat in action. All photos by Jakob Ebrey

     “Logging important points in the bag after a tough week-end, it was important to cash in on the little chances we had,” said Jaden, who had very little seat time in the Championship car.

    “I’m very satisfied with the results we achieved. I am super happy to have gotten an overall podium for Race 2. With wet conditions and a whole lot of chaos ahead of us, it is great work by the team. I am surrounded by the amazing support from everyone at Lyca Radio and my team Argenti. I can’t wait for the next race,” added Jaden.

    Jaden Pariat, #77
     
    Grid 1 – 13, R1 – 12
    G2 – 4, R2 – 3
    G3 – 18, R3 – 12
     
    Championship: 12 (11 points)
     
    “Qualifying was very tight. We definitely had the pace in the first stint, we were up with the front runners and well into the points. Unfortunately, on our second stint, it took some time for the tyres to come in, and then when it looked like we were set to complete our fastest lap, the red flag cut it short. We didn’t get the opportunity to see where we truly could have been, but it’s so close, so that could have happened to anyone, even one tenth can make such a huge difference.
     
    “For race one, the initial start wasn’t great. I loaded the clutch too much and the car switched off, but it happened just before the lights went out, so I did lose a little bit of time there, but I wasn’t too far behind the pack. The two laps that we had before the safety car, were pretty strong and we gained three places. Luckily, after the red flag we had a full restart, and I had a much better start that time, making up some places during the race.
     
    “Race two was really chaotic, with a lot of cars going off and a lot of drama happening in front of me, but we kept it clean. We played it smart, trying to always calculate what was about to happen. We were patient and in the end that really paid off. I’m really happy with third, it’s a great feeling to be back on the podium, and for it to come on the first weekend of the season is really promising.  
     
    “The third race was good, unfortunately we were held up a lot by the two cars I was battling with. We had the pace to be in the points, but it’s racing, and these things happen. I’m happy with how my race craft has been improving, I made two moves that I’m quite proud of. It’s sometimes difficult to find the correct balance of pushing to the limit and holding back, but I think we managed it well. There were a few close calls, but we kept it clean the whole weekend.
     
    “It’s been great to work with everyone at Argenti, we have a good relationship and continue to give each other input and feedback that has been pushing us forward together. I’m happy with how the team have been supporting me and the car they’ve given me this weekend. I hope I can bring home some more good results and podiums for them.
     
    “It was an honour to welcome the Lyca Radio competition winners into the paddock, as well as representatives from the station. To have achieved the podium whilst they were here to see was very special, and I can’t thank them enough for their continued support.” 

    The Championship now moves to Brands Hatch for the next three races on 6-7 May.

  • Jaden makes stunning debut in British F4 at Silverstone

    Jaden makes stunning debut in British F4 at Silverstone

    London, 27 Sept. 2022: Indian karting star Jaden Pariat secured a podium for Chris Dittmann Racing in the F4 British Championship at Silverstone during the weekend to get the maiden podium for his team in the season.

    Jaden’s second-place rookie cup finish represented Chris Dittmann Racing’s first podium position in the F4 British Championship this season. The championship will now have a two-week vacation before returning for the season finale at Brands Hatch on the weekend of October 8 and 9.

    Jaden, the first runner-up in the X30 National 2021, joined the squad alongside returnee Jack Sherwood to complete a two-car lineup for the last two rounds of the season. After a wet and gloomy Friday practice session, the sun shone brightly on Saturday, when Jaden competed in his first qualifying session. A red flag was raised at half distance, upsetting the two teenage racers as they sought to achieve their fastest speeds, before returning to green with less than ten minutes remaining. In the end, Jack finished 17th and Jaden finished 19th, making the races a tough struggle but a terrific learning opportunity for the two.

    Jack went up four places into 13th on the first lap of race one, before moving into the top 10 as turmoil up ahead forced a number of cars to fall down the order. Jaden had gained two positions on the start after recovering from a stall on the grid, but the race was interrupted by a Safety Car.

    When racing resumed, the duo did well to avoid further trouble amongst the front runners, which brought out a second Safety Car, and, as the cars settled back into the race, Jaden made the move on Isaac Barashi to cross the line 11th, with Jack ahead in eighth to score his second top ten finish in just his seventh race in the series. Despite another grid stall, Jaden moved up two positions to 17th on the first lap of race two.

    The teenage racer took advantage of other drivers’ errors and flew into 13th place. From then, it was a stunning sprint to the finish line for the 15-year-old, who crossed ninth overall and second among rookies, earning a Rookie Cup podium spot on his first weekend, which was later boosted to seventh overall owing to post-race penalties for other drivers. Unfortunately for Jack, early collision damaged his front wing, requiring him to pit for a replacement. Re-emerging in 19th, the teenager had a tough struggle through the pack, but he managed to keep out of trouble and cross the finish 15th. Race three got off to a dramatic start, with a stopped vehicle on the grid prompting a crash. Jaden swerved onto the grass as an evasive manoeuvre, but recovered well before the Safety Car was deployed to clean debris on the track. On lap five, with the time ticking down, it made its way into the pitlane before returning straight back to reclaim another vehicle.

    When racing began again, there were fewer than eight minutes left, and both Jack and Jaden got away strongly on the restart, moving up to 12th and 15th position, respectively. Further contact ahead brought out the third Safety Car of the race, but with barely one minute remaining, the race was called off. Jaden’s second place rookie cup finish marked the first podium appearance for Chris Dittmann Racing in the F4 British Championship this season, rewarding the team’s continued hard work and dedication. There is now a two week break before the championship returns.

  • Flamboyant Kapil Dev, fastest Indian Karthikeyan star in glittering launch

    Flamboyant Kapil Dev, fastest Indian Karthikeyan star in glittering launch

    Mumbai, 19 August 2021: A whiff of fresh air is expected to make Indian motorsports vibrant with the arrival of Formula Regional Indian Championship and Formula 4 Indian Championship announced through a glittering launch with promises to bring brand new Formula cars.

    The good news, in these difficult times of COVID, can pump some high-octane upgrades into the dying motorsport machines in India. That requires loads of money and Indian motorsport should be thankful that the two ace Indian racing stars, Aditya Patel and Armaan Ebrahim, found and roped in two other Good Samaritans. The arrival of these goodies from Europe as promised would be a historic milestone and a turning point in the history of Indian motorsports. We fervently hope, this partnership lasts long… without any hiccups and the duo seem keen to sort out the flaws that cropped up earlier.

    INDIAinF1.com would like to present a simple gist of points given by respected senior motorsport journalist Vinayak Pande. The official press release follows:

    Cricket’s legedendary fast bowler & `sixer’ Kapil Dev, left, and Narain Karthikeyan (India’s first F1 driver dubbed as the fastest Indian in the world) right, during the Press Conference of Formula Regional Indian Championship Launch in Mumbai. Popular sports anchor Suhail Chandhok, brother of Karun Chandhok, the only other F1 driver from India is next to Kapil.

    Vinayak Pande (Instgram) post: Oh I’m going to post more about this, you can take that to the bank. But for the time being, salient points which many would already know of.

    – FIA (global motorsport’s governing body) sanctioned Regional F3 (not the same spec as FIA F3) and F4 championships to be held in India over five rounds from late February to late March of 2022.

    – An FIA superlicense is the golden ticket for a driver to be eligible to race in Formula 1 (no guarantee of it). These two championships will give drivers the chance to score points towards that goal. Forty points over a period of three years gets you that FIA superlicense.

    – Indian F4 superlicense points spread over the top seven places in the final points standings: 12, 10, 7, 5, 3, 2, 1.

    – Formula Regional India superlicense points across the top nine places in the final points standings: 18, 14, 12, 10, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1.

    – Cars for both championships built to FIA global standards for Formula Regional and Formula 4.

    – F4 India champion gets free seat in Formula Regional India and F-Regional India champion gets a free seat in F3 Asia (same spec car as F-Regional India).

    – Pre-season testing at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) near Greater Noida on February 23-24, 2022. Five round season starts on February 25-27 at the BIC, concludes at an FIA grade 2 street circuit in Hyderabad on 25-27 March.

    – The majority of the drivers in Formula Regional India will be foreign drivers including from Europe while the majority of the grid in Formula 4 India will feature Indian drivers.

    – More details to come soon, but so far it can be confirmed that the budget for Formula Regional India will be around 150,000 euros. (INR 1.3 crore)

    I wish I can produce the speeds of this rubber with my cherry! Kapil seems to be thinking… before he reveals the car along with the co-mastermind of the whole show, Aditya Patel, at the Press Conference of Formula Regional Indian Championship Launch held at Taj lands End in Mumbai on 19th August 2021. Photo from IRL

    – Akhilesh Reddy and Navjeet Ghadoke are equal partners in Racing Promotions Private Limited, which will be promoter of the two series. Reddy said the commitment to the two series is for five years at least. Would be cool if it lasts even that long.

    Official Press Release

    Promoted by Navjeet Gadhoke of Roadway Solutions India Infra Ltd and Akhilesh Reddy of Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd, RPPL plans to invest towards manufacturing cars, assets and street circuit infrastructure, along with the operational cost of the formula regional Indian championship and formula 4 Indian championship, and relaunching the city-based league as Indian Racing League.

    The new innings of Racing Promotions herald the new era of long-term racing culture in India with races planned across the country. In the coming months, Racing Promotions Pvt Ltd would host Formula Regional Indian Championship and Formula 4 Indian Championship, certified by the FIA. RPPL is also looking forward to relaunching the city-based league as the “Indian Racing League” in Q1 2022. Also on the schedule is India’s First-Ever FIA Graded Street Circuit in Hyderabad!

    With Navjeet Gadhoke and Akhilesh Reddy committed to investing in the long-term development of motorsports and creating a platform for aspiring racing drivers in India, the first season of racing would kick off on Feb-March 22 in New Delhi, Chennai, Coimbatore and Hyderabad, and attract global racing talents as well.

    Speaking about the Racing Promotions current endeavours Mr Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman, Racing Promotions stated “Monaco being a sovereign city-state has produced F1 drivers, and we as a country of a billion-plus now have the platform to give aspiring racing drivers the opportunity to compete with the best in the world and potentially a stepping stone to the apex of motorsports which is F1”

    While Mr Navjeet Gadoke, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, RPPL added “Our investment will revolutionize Indian motorsports, and the objective is to build a world-class, holistic ecosystem for motorsports which will become a force to reckon with, not just for this sport, but Indian sports in general.”

    Present on the launch, Joint MD, RPPL, Armaan Ebrahim reflected “It is great to finally have world-class equipment and race cars on our home soil. We welcome Akhilesh and Navjeet to our company, and look forward to building a series of championships that enable Indian drivers to compete at the highest level globally and will make Indians a force to reckon with in the motorsport world.”

    Commenting on the launch FMSCI, President said “The introduction of the Formula Regional India certified by the FIA to be followed by the F4 India certified by the FIA is certainly a landmark moment for Indian Motorsport, the FMSCI and the promoters, Racing Promotions Pvt Ltd. (RPPL). The FIA Single Seater Commission and the FIA World Motorsport Council approved the two championships last month. Not only will both these championships provide a truly International platform for Indian drivers who can now race at the International level competing against International drivers in their own country, but it also comes with a huge bonus package which is the FIA Driver points. The FMSCI would like to congratulate Mr. Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman RPPL, Mr Navjeet Gadhoke, Vice Chairman, RPPL and the entire Racing Promotions team for putting together such a phenomenal package which will take Indian Motorsport to much higher echelons.”

    Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd
    (MEIL) is a 30-year behemoth in manufacturing and infrastructure, headquartered in Hyderabad, and operating in 8 other countries outside India. MEIL has an order book of ~$15Bn and net revenue of $3Bn. The organization has diversified to five other verticals namely Irrigation, Drinking Water, Power, Hydrocarbons, Transportation and General Infrastructure.

    Roadway Solution India Infra Ltd (RSIPL) is part of the Gadhoke Group, an infrastructure conglomerate with over 50 years of experience and $1.5Bn Enterprise Value.

    Racing Promotions Private Limited is the exclusive rights holder of 4W motorsports in India and launched a city-based league in 2019. 

  • Sneha Sharma takes lead in women’s category: F4 SEA Championship

    Sneha Sharma takes lead in women’s category: F4 SEA Championship

    Sneha Sharma in Buriram on Sunday 12 May 2019. Photo: Sneha Sharma

    Buriram (Thailand), 12 May 2019: India’s top woman racer Sneha Sharma jumped into the lead in the ladies’ category after Round 3 of the highly competitive Formula 4 South East Asia Championship, here at the Chang international Circuit, Thailand.

    Sneha won the leading trophy in each of the 4 races to grab the Overall Cup for women in the Thailand round. She even clocked the best time of 1:46:6 to finish in the Top Eight against 11 of the finest racers from 10 different countries, most of them from Europe.

    The 28-old who is also an airline captain by profession, supported by Indigo Airlines and JK Tyre, raced in a Formula 4 Race car (for Team Mertius) for the first time at Buri Ram but proved to be up for it.

    She took part in all four races in the championship and clocked the best time of 1:46:6 with a best Finish of Top 8 in the overall category and top 1 in her category, making her the current leader of her class in the 2019 championship.

    The Chang Circuit is famously known for its Moto GP Racing, which has seen the likes of Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez in action. This series of Formula 4 ran alongside the Formula 3 Asia and the Blancpain GT Series, making it one of the biggest events in Asia.

    Sneha, one of the first women to break into racing circles in India, took a highly creditable Pole position in Race 2 and P2 in Race 3, giving her the chance to score good points for the overall season.

    “I am totally excited with my second international victory this year,” an exultant Sneha said. “I had fun on the track, driving the races back to back and being part of the wheel-to-wheel action all the way till the chequered flag against such competitive drivers.”

    She pointed out that a micro-chip in the car analysed her driving all the way to her turning technique, her braking and her top speed which helped her become better with each race. “The data analysis by the engineers and driver coach was amazing. It helped me stay with the pack and put up a great fight,” she explained.

    “I was hoping for a good finish in Race 2 in which I began on Pole. But I was hit by another driver and had to work hard to recover and get into the points. I must say it wasn’t easy as the car requires a lot of physical strength, apart from skill to drive.,” she said.

    The 4th round of Formula4 SEA is scheduled for June 21, again in Thailand. In all, there will be 7 more rounds through Asia, including 2 in India in July.

    “I am already looking forward to the next race weekend. I am working really hard on the simulator, on my physical fitness and mental strength as well. The aim is to dominate my class and get into Top 5 overall for India,” Sneha declared.