The Indian Racing Festival 2025 roared to life with a historic milestone — the Indian Racing League (IRL) conducted its first-ever official Driver Draft at Taj Lands End, Mumbai, unveiling a full lineup of 24 drivers across six city-based franchises. The event brought together franchise owners, motorsport executives, and media to mark a transformative moment in Indian motorsport, promising a more inclusive, data-driven, and competitive season ahead.
Each team selected a diverse quartet comprising an international ace, a domestic Indian talent, an emerging Indian-origin or global racer, and a female driver. Notable inclusions include Neel Jani, Jon Lancaster, and Raoul Hyman on the international front, while India’s young guns like Ruhaan Alva, Sai Sanjay, and Sohil Shah aim to make a mark alongside women racers such as Caitlin Wood and Fabienne Wohlwend.
From Bollywood stars to cricketing legends, franchise owners revealed their squads in a high-energy press conference. “This draft gives motorsport in India structure and purpose,” said Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman of RPPL. Kolkata has embraced its team, Kolkata Royal Tigers, with enthusiasm. Owned by cricket icon Sourav Ganguly, the squad boasts British GT champion Tom Canning and local favourite Sohil Shah. The city’s motorsport fan base is expected to rally strongly around its franchise in the upcoming street races and circuits nationwide. The 2025 season kicks off this August with races across India’s urban and permanent tracks, setting the stage for a thrilling new chapter in Indian motorsport.