The 32-year-old from Pune will compete in the Ferrari Club Challenge Middle East, driving the Ferrari 296 Challenge across F1 circuits in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Diana Pundole, a 32-year-old racing driver from Pune, is set to create history as the first Indian woman to race a Ferrari in an international motorsport championship. She will represent India in the Ferrari Club Challenge Middle East, competing from November 2025 to April 2026 behind the wheel of the Ferrari 296 Challenge — one of the brand’s newest and most advanced track cars.
The championship, hosted across some of the world’s most iconic Formula One circuits — including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia — will test drivers on speed, precision, and endurance in high-performance Ferraris.
For Pundole, this moment marks both a personal and national triumph. “It’s truly an incredible honour,” she said. “To represent India and race in a Ferrari on a global stage is a dream I’ve worked toward for years. I hope it encourages more women in Indian motorsport to follow their passion fearlessly.”
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Pundole’s journey to this milestone has been built on years of discipline and perseverance in a field traditionally dominated by men. She began her motorsport career in 2018 through the JK Tyre Women in Motorsport programme and quickly rose through the ranks with consistent performances in national championships. Her defining moment came in 2024 when she became the first Indian woman to win a national racing title — the MRF Saloon Cars Championship — at the Madras International Circuit, defeating several top male contenders.
Having trained rigorously on international circuits including Monza, Mugello, and the Dubai Autodrome, Pundole has honed her technical skills and mental resilience to compete at global levels. Her participation in the Ferrari Club Challenge is supported by Aligned Automation and Ferrari New Delhi, symbolising a growing recognition of Indian talent in international motorsport.
Pundole credits her late father for igniting her love for racing, describing his passion as the foundation of her own. “Every race is a tribute to his belief in me,” she said. As she prepares for her next chapter, Pundole continues to train intensely, balancing physical conditioning with simulator sessions to meet the demands of racing at speeds exceeding 250 km/h.
With her debut in the Ferrari Club Challenge, Diana Pundole is not just driving for victory — she’s steering Indian motorsport toward a more inclusive and inspiring future.