Diana Pundole, a 32-year-old racer from Pune, is shifting gears for Indian motorsport history. She is set to become the first Indian woman to compete in a Ferrari at an international championship, breaking new ground in a traditionally male-dominated sport. Her transformation from a schoolteacher to a national champion and current international Ferrari driver is a compelling story of tenacity and desire.
Who is Diana Pundole?
Diana Pundole is an Indian race car driver who has rapidly become a trailblazer for women in the sport. A former teacher and a mother of two, she began her motorsport career relatively late, starting in 2018 after being selected in the JK Tyre Women in Motorsport program, a national talent hunt. She watched Formula One races with her late father, who inspired her and instilled in her a passion for competitiveness and speed. She is married to Hormuz Pundole and was born into a Parsi family in Pune. She frequently cites her children as her biggest supports as she balances the demands of a professional racing career with her family life.
What Are Her Historic Career Milestones?
Pundole’s career is marked by a series of groundbreaking achievements in a short span. In August 2024, she achieved her first big milestone by winning the MRF Saloon Cars title at the Indian National Car Racing Championship, making history as the first Indian woman to claim a national car-racing crown. Building on that success, she has now secured her place in international racing history. In October 2025, she was confirmed as a participant in the Ferrari Club Challenge Middle East, a series running from November 2025 to April 2026, making her the first Indian woman to race a Ferrari on the global stage.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
Pundole’s participation in the Ferrari Club Challenge is more than a personal triumph; it is a significant moment for Indian motorsport. She will drive the Ferrari 296 Challenge car on some of the world’s most prestigious Formula One circuits, including tracks in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Calling it an “incredible honour” and “a proud moment for women in Indian motorsport,” she said her journey from a talent hunt to an international Ferrari seat is proof that determination can break stereotypes and spark young women to chase racing.
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