Pune-based racer Diana Pundole is gearing up to make motorsport history as the first Indian woman to race a Ferrari in an international championship, driving the iconic Ferrari 296 Challenge. Her next big leap will unfold from November 2025 to April 2026, when she competes in the Ferrari Club Challenge Middle East, a high-prestige series held across some of the world’s most exhilarating circuits in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
Diana’s remarkable rise from a school teacher to a national racing champion is a story of relentless ambition and unshakeable determination. Beginning her journey in 2018 with the JK Tyre Women in Motorsport initiative, she steadily climbed the ranks to become India’s first female saloon-car national champion in 2024 — a landmark that shattered long-standing barriers in Indian motorsport.
A mother of two, Diana has balanced family responsibilities with daring track pursuits, setting an extraordinary example for aspiring racers across the country. Speaking about her entry into the Ferrari series, she said:
“It’s a proud moment for me and for women in Indian motorsport — I hope my journey inspires more women to pursue their passion.”
With her upcoming stint behind the wheel of a Ferrari, Diana is poised to take on the fastest, most challenging circuits in the Middle East — from the sweeping desert straights of Bahrain International Circuit to the tight, technical demands of Yas Marina Circuit.
Her ascent is more than a sporting achievement — it is a message of empowerment, courage, and the limitless possibilities that await women who dare to chase their dreams. Diana Pundole’s journey proves that no track is too intimidating, no dream too distant, when passion fuels the drive.
