In a major achievement for Indian motorsport, Diana Pundole from Pune has become the first Indian woman to compete in a global motorsport series, driving a Ferrari. The 32-year-old racing champion is set to represent the country in the prestigious Ferrari Club Challenge Middle East.
The championship series will run from November 2025 to April 2026, featuring races at some of the world's most famous Formula One circuits. These include tracks in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Pundole will be behind the wheel of the Ferrari 296 Challenge, the brand's powerful flagship track car.
For Pundole, this achievement is more than just a personal milestone. She shared her excitement, stating, "It’s truly an incredible honour. Being part of the Ferrari Club Challenge Middle East as the first Indian woman is a proud moment not just for me but for women in Indian motorsport. I hope it encourages more women to pursue their passion for racing."
Diana Pundole’s path to this historic moment is a story of steady determination. Her racing career began in 2018 through the JK Tyre Women in Motorsport programme, an initiative designed to bring more women into the sport.
She worked her way up through national championships, securing impressive podium finishes in categories like the Indian Touring Cars. Her big breakthrough came in 2024 when she became a national racing champion. She clinched the MRF Saloon Cars title at the Madras International Circuit, a victory where she outperformed top male competitors. This win established her as a leading figure and a trailblazer for women in the sport.
Pundole's success is built on a foundation of rigorous training, both physical and mental, to handle the extreme demands of racing at speeds exceeding 250 km/h. She often credits her late father for sparking her love for motorsport, and his memory continues to drive her passion.
Her journey to the international Ferrari series is supported by Aligned Automation and Ferrari New Delhi. This move marks a vital step for Indian representation on the global racing map. Pundole hopes her story will lead to greater visibility and more sponsorship opportunities for other talented women in motorsport.
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