‘The drivers are here’: India’s next generation of racers dream of an F1 breakthrough | Racing News
In a country where cricket dominates the sporting landscape, motorsport continues to fight for attention. For young Indian racers, reaching Formula 1 remains the ultimate ambition, but the path to the top comes with financial constraints, limited opportunities and sacrifices away from the track.For Saishiva Sankaran and Viswas Vijayaraj, that path began with a childhood love for cars and racing. Speaking to Times of India during the Indian Racing Festival’s return to the Buddh International Circuit after 13 years, the two drivers spoke about their careers, the demands of competing against international racers and what it takes to pursue a career in motorsport in India.
From karting in Pune to the Indian Racing League
Saishiva Sankaran began racing when he was eight years old. His interest in cars introduced him to karting at a small facility in Kharadi, Pune, where he started competing in four-stroke karting events. He won his first event before moving to two-stroke karting, gaining experience through several championships while working with teams such as M-Sport and Kamehko Kartopia in Bengaluru.
From karting, he progressed to single-seater racing before moving into the F2000 Championship and eventually the Indian Racing League, where he represents the Kolkata Royal Tigers.“It has been a long journey of 10 years, starting from the basics. I would like to thank my family and friends for making this possible,” Sankaran said.For Vijayaraj, who represents Chennai Turbo Riders in the Indian Racing League, the motivation came from his childhood interest in cars and racing. Representing India at the highest level remains a central part of his ambition.“It’s not just about choosing Indian motorsport, it’s about the love for cars and the love for the sport which I have had since I was a kid. Since I am from India, obviously I need to represent my country at the highest level,” Vijayaraj said.
The sacrifices behind a career in motorsport
Balancing racing with education and personal life has been one of Sankaran’s biggest challenges. Racing calendars can leave young drivers with little time for school, college and family, particularly once the season gets underway.“There is a lot of missing out on the schooling side and a lot of missing out on college nowadays. These events are not like tennis or cricket, where you have to practise every day. But when the season starts, it becomes quite hectic,” he explained.Preparation continues even when he is away from the circuit.“There’s a lot of training and restrictions on diet on the other side. And I also practise a lot on the simulator. When I am off track, I basically practise on the simulator trying to improve for the season,” he added.
Limited testing, learning from international drivers
Competing against international drivers in the Indian Racing League has given Sankaran an opportunity to learn from racers with experience across different circuits and conditions.“I am learning a lot from the international drivers as well. These guys have raced everywhere and in different conditions, while I have been limited mostly to India,” he said.“But there is a lot I have learned from these guys, which has helped me push on and reach the podium,” he added.Vijayaraj pointed to the difference in testing opportunities available to Indian and international drivers. While overseas competitors often get regular time on the track, Indian racers have to work around much more limited practice schedules.“In India, we have very limited testing, unlike international drivers, who have already been on the track almost every day or most days of the week. We get to do that only for a couple of days a month,” Vijayaraj said.He believes Indian drivers can still compete with their international counterparts despite the difference in preparation time.“For us, competing against them is a huge learning curve. It doesn’t mean that we are really off them. We are on par with them. Learning from them and then being able to compete against them, or even win against them, is always the best feeling, especially with the minimum amount of practice we get,” he added.
Financial backing remains a hurdle on the road to F1
Moving through the junior racing categories and getting closer to Formula 1 requires considerable financial backing. Vijayaraj acknowledged that the financial realities of the sport, coupled with age, can make it difficult for drivers to continue progressing.“Formula 1 is always a dream. But at times, when age catches up or reality hits, it becomes really difficult because we struggle with finances and everything. That is the only support which we don’t get enough,” Vijayaraj said.He believes India already has drivers capable of competing at a higher level but needs to do more to support them.“There are a lot of experienced and really good Indian drivers who are capable of showcasing India at the highest level possible in the world. The drivers are here. You can see them on the grid right now. They just need enough support from the country so that they can represent India internationally,” he added.
Sankaran, meanwhile, is looking at the next steps in his career. Having competed in Indian F4 last year, he wants to progress through the junior categories and eventually reach Formula 1. He is also looking for sponsors and brands willing to back his ambitions.“So, I am looking to go up the ranks and reach the F1 ladder. Obviously, next year I am looking for getting sponsors and brands to, you know, invest in me and be the face of me when I reach F1. So, main goal is F1,” Sankaran said.The youngster is also a big admirer of Max Verstappen, whose aggressive driving style influenced his interest in Formula 1.“I am a big fan of Max Verstappen. And I have taken his number. Number 33 every time I race, I have been loving him. Loving his driving style, his aggression ever since I started watching. And he is the main reason why I started watching as well,” Sankaran concluded.
Buddh International Circuit: A special return for Indian racers
Racing returned to the Buddh International Circuit after 13 years, giving Indian drivers an opportunity to compete at the country’s only Formula 1-grade circuit. For Vijayaraj, the weekend brought back memories of watching some of the sport’s biggest names race at the venue.He had previously competed at the circuit during the National Championship in 2019. Returning after six years was a special experience.“Walking down the pits and everything, it is just like collecting the memories from television of where the greatest drivers like Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel used to walk around here and race,” he said.“Being here is the best feeling an Indian driver could ever have. Coming back here after six years is the best feeling ever. It is like bringing back all the memories and reliving them again.”Vijayaraj also believes a Formula 1 return to India could generate greater interest in motorsport and open up opportunities for local drivers.“Formula 1 coming back to India right now would be three times better than what it was back then. We have a lot of Indian fans watching racing series. Bringing Formula 1 back would be a huge boost for the entire country and could create a lot of opportunities and championships in the future,” he added.
Aryan Narola, Ruhaan Alva headline Indian Racing Festival weekend
The Indian Racing Festival concluded its two-day Buddh International Circuit (BIC) leg in Greater Noida on November 1, 2026, with Aryan Narola and Ruhaan Alva emerging as the standout performers in the F4 Indian Championship and Indian Racing League (IRL), respectively.Representing Goa Aces JA Racing, Narola secured a double victory in Sunday’s two F4 races. He finished ahead of Aris Kyriakou and Ntiyiso Mabunda in the first race before beating Arjun Chheda and Mabunda in the second.Alva of Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru won the second IRL race after capitalising on Shane Chanderia’s car trouble. Mohamed Ryan of Hyderabad Blackbirds finished second, while Malaysian racer Alister Yoong of Speed Demons Delhi secured third place.
The action began on Saturday with the opening IRL and F4 races. Raoul Hyman of Goa Aces JA Racing won the opening IRL race in 27:40.759, with Saishiva Sankaran of Kolkata Royal Tigers finishing second in 27:55.806 and Jemma Moore of Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru taking third in 27:56.070.In the opening F4 race, Ntiyiso Mabunda of Speed Demons Delhi claimed victory in 32:46.842, followed by fellow South African Luviwe Sambudla of Goa Aces JA Racing in second place and Aryan Narola in third.Sunday’s second IRL race saw Alva claim victory, followed by Mohamed Ryan in second and Alister Yoong in third.
