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Top 5 Female Racing Drivers in India: Indian women are breaking barriers in motorsports! From Mira Erda to Humaira Mushtaq, these fearless racers are making India proud on the global stage.
India’s Top Female Racing Drivers: Women Dominating the Tracks – Diana Pundole. (Photo: Car India)
While racing is believed to be a male-dominated sport, many female drivers have defied the odds to make their presence felt in the circuit.
From Janet Guthrie to Danica Patrick, several legendary racers have broken the gender barrier, showcasing immense skills and sheer determination.
Over the last few years, Indian women have also been able to hit the headlines for their achievements in major motorsport events.
On the eve of International Women’s Day, let’s take a look at some top Indian female racing drivers who have waved the tri-colour high on the global stage–
Top 5 Indian Women In Motorsports: Mira Erda
Mira Erda was the first Indian woman to compete at the Euro JK Series as a Red Bull Racer. She developed a passion for motorsport at the age of 9 and made her professional debut at the JK Tyre Rotax Max National Karting Championship.
In 2014, Erda became the youngest female driver to race the Formula LGB class of cars. She registered her first international podium finish in the second round of the 2019 Formula 4 series. Three years later, Erda was conferred with the ‘Outstanding Woman in Motorsports’ award by the Federation of Motorsports Clubs of India (FMSCI).
Top 5 Indian Women In Motorsports: Diana Pundole
Diana Pundole rose to fame in August last year when she secured the national championship in the saloon category at the MRF Indian National Car Racing Championship in Chennai. In 2016, Pundole received an unexpected phone call from someone who invited her to feature in a car racing championship in Coimbatore. She registered a top-six finish in the national-level competition. Later, Pundole, a mother of two, became the first and only female to participate in the Indian Touring Cars mixed category.
Top 5 Indian Women In Motorsports: Sneha Sharma
Starting her racing career at the age of 17, Sneha Sharma has achieved success in several national and international tournaments. Since 2012, she has been balancing her passion for the sport with her profession as a pilot.
Sharma finished second in the round of the MSF Series at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit in 2019. She topped the charts in Race 1 and came second in Race 2 before replicating the results in the Ladies Cup Championship.
Top 5 Indian Women In Motorsports: Alisha Abdullah
Alisha Abdullah was India’s first female racing champion at the national level. In 2016, she founded the Alisha Abdullah Racing Academy to train talented female racers. Two years later, Abdullah was recognised as the ‘First Lady’ to join professional motorsports from the country by President Ram Nath Kovind and Minister Maneka Gandhi.
Top 5 Indian Women In Motorsports: Humaira Mushtaq
Humaira featured in the prestigious British Endurance Championship as the first female driver in 2023. She was also the first woman from South Asia to acquire an ITCCC license, which enabled an opportunity to compete in international events.
Thanks to her inspiring career, Mushtaq has been honoured with the Mission Shakti Excellence Award and the FICCO FLO Trailblazer Achievers Award.
