Indian Racing Festival 2025 Flags Off with Historic Driver Draft in Mumbai
The draft introduced a transparent, structured approach to team building—selecting 24 drivers across six franchises. Each team drafted an international ace, an emerging talent, a domestic star, and a female racer, showcasing IRF's commitment to inclusivity and competitive excellence.
Fans can look forward to seasoned racers like Le Mans winner Neel Jani (Kichcha's Kings Bengaluru), two-time IRL champion Raoul Hyman (Goa Aces), and GP2 veteran Jon Lancaster (Hyderabad Blackbirds). Rising Indian talents such as Ruhaan Alva, Sai Sanjay, Sohil Shah, and Akshay Bohra bring fresh energy, while accomplished women drivers like Fabienne Wohlwend and Gabriela Jilkova ensure diverse representation on the grid.
The draft was followed by team announcements from celebrity owners—Arjun Kapoor, Naga Chaitanya, John Abraham, Sourav Ganguly, Sudeep Kichcha, and Keerthivasan—who shared their excitement and strategic visions.
Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman & MD of Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd. (RPPL), stated, 'With this driver draft, we're building a sport for India, by India, with the world watching.'
The IRF 2025 season kicks off in August, spanning premier circuits and vibrant street tracks across India. As these franchises head into the championship with balanced, star-studded rosters, Indian motorsport stands poised for a thrilling new chapter.
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