The Indian Racing Festival (IRF) successfully executed the first-ever official Driver Draft for the Indian Racing League (IRL), held at the prestigious Taj Lands End in Mumbai. This event brought together franchise owners, league officials, and members of the media to launch what promises to be a high-octane 2025 season.
Designed to bring more structure, transparency, and inclusivity to Indian motorsport, the Driver Draft marks a pivotal moment in the league’s evolution. For the first time, team-building was guided by a clear strategy involving performance data, regional representation, and a commitment to gender diversity.
A total of 24 drivers were selected across six city-based franchises. Each team drafted four drivers, carefully curated to include an experienced international racer, an emerging global or Indian-origin talent, a domestic Indian driver, and a female competitor. The final grid boasts impressive talent such as Neel Jani, former Formula 1 test driver and Le Mans winner; Jon Lancaster, known for his GP2 and endurance racing experience; and Raoul Hyman, a two-time IRL champion of Indian origin.
India’s next-gen drivers also made headlines with the inclusion of Ruhaan Alva, Sohil Shah, Sai Sanjay, and Akshay Bohra — all noted for their speed and racecraft. Adding further depth and diversity to the lineup, international female racers like Fabienne Wohlwend, Gabriela Jilkova, and Caitlin Wood join the season with backgrounds in the W Series, F3, and GT formats.
In a joint press conference following the draft, all six team owners — including prominent personalities from Indian cinema and sports — took the stage to unveil their teams and share their vision. Each franchise was involved in building a team that aligns with both performance metrics and regional identities, reflecting a deeper commitment to long-term team narratives and fan engagement.
Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director, Racing Promotions, the organisation behind IRF said, “This brings our collective vision to life when it comes to the Indian Racing Festival 2025. With this driver draft, we’re building a new foundation for motorsport in India – one that’s inclusive, structured, and deeply competitive. The Driver Draft for IRL 2025 celebrates talent, promotes competence, and builds serious anticipation for the racing season. What we’re doing here is building a sport for India, by India, with the world watching.”
With the teams now finalized — including popular franchises like Delhi’s Speed Demons and the new entrant, Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru — the stage is set for a dynamic 2025 season. The championship will kick off in August, with races scheduled across India on both permanent circuits and urban street tracks.
The event wrapped up with a media interaction session, highlighting the enthusiasm and high expectations surrounding this new chapter in Indian motorsport.
