Formula Femina: Diana Pundole’s Journey From Pune Streets to Ferrari’s International Race Tracks

Diana Pundole, a 32-year-old mother of two from Pune, has shattered gender barriers by becoming the first Indian woman to race a Ferrari in an international motorsport championship. Starting November 2025 through April 2026, she will compete in the prestigious Ferrari Club Challenge Middle East, driving the Ferrari 296 Challenge car across elite Formula One circuits in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Pundole’s journey from a local time trial enthusiast to a global racing competitor highlights her relentless dedication in a male-dominated sport and heralds a new era for women in Indian motorsports.

 

Her passion for racing began in 2018 when she was selected for the JK Tyre Women in Motorsport program, a key platform empowering women drivers in India. Since then, she has achieved multiple podium finishes in national championships and made history in 2024 by winning the MRF Saloon Cars national title—outracing many top male competitors at the Madras International Circuit. This victory established her as a formidable talent and a role model for aspiring female racers.

 

The Ferrari 296 Challenge she will race is Ferrari’s state-of-the-art track-focused car, equipped with a twin-turbo V6 engine, advanced aerodynamics, and telemetry systems, designed for speed and precision on the world’s most demanding circuits. Preparing for this challenge involves intense physical training and simulation sessions to handle speeds surpassing 250 km/h.

 

Diana credits her late father’s encouragement for igniting her racing passion. Her participation in the Ferrari Club Challenge Middle East reflects her perseverance and skill, symbolizing an important breakthrough for Indian women in motorsport on a global stage.

 

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Sources: The Times of India, NDTV, The Indian Express, Free Press Journal, Moneycontrol, The Better India.