Nine-year-old Arshi Gupta leads new wave of Indian women in global motorsport

India’s newest racing sensation, Arshi Gupta, is rewriting the record books. In February 2026, the nine-year-old from Faridabad became the youngest-ever driver selected for the F1 Academy Discover Your Drive (DYD) program.

At just nine, Arshi is the only Indian in her cohort and will compete in the British Champions of the Future Academy Program throughout 2026, a major stepping stone in her long-term ambition of reaching the Formula 1 stage.

Her rapid rise comes after she emerged as Asia’s only female National Karting Champion in 2025, positioning her as one of the most promising young talents in the region.

Rising stars in Indian female racing

Arshi is not alone. A new generation of Indian female racers is making steady progress through international karting and single-seater pathways.

Atiqa Mir (11) became the first Indian female to receive formal backing from the F1 Academy. She is also the first Indian female and the only girl to compete in Italy’s prestigious WSK Super Master Series in the OKNJ junior category.

Meanwhile, Shriya Lohia (17) has already carved out her place in Indian motorsport history. She became India’s first female Formula 4 racer and the youngest female driver to score points in the inaugural Indian F4 Championship in 2023. She now continues her journey in international Formula 4 competition.

Breaking global barriers

At the senior level, Indian women are also expanding their footprint on international grids.

Diana Pundole (32) made headlines in 2024 by becoming the first Indian woman to win a national racing championship. She also became the first Indian woman to race a Ferrari in an international championship and is currently competing in the Ferrari Club Challenge Middle East.

Another emerging name is Salva Marjan, who competed in the F4 UAE Championship in 2023 and is training in the UAE with ambitions of qualifying for the F1 Academy.

A defining moment for Indian motorsport

With grassroots karting talent like Arshi Gupta entering structured global development programs at record-breaking ages, India’s presence in elite women’s motorsport is steadily strengthening.

The F1 Academy’s development initiatives, combined with increasing international exposure for young Indian drivers, signal a cultural shift in a sport historically dominated by men.

For nine-year-old Arshi and her peers, the road ahead is long, but the grid is no longer out of reach.