In 2024, India created history when Harith Noah became the first Indian to win the Rally 2 class in the Dakar Rally
India celebrates its 79th Independence Day this month of August, and to mark the occasion, we look back at how India has made significant progress in the field of sports. The nation’s exploits, progress, and success in cricket are well-known to most Indians.
Unfortunately, motorsports, being an expensive and less accessible sport, has always remained neglected. However, that doesn’t mean the sport has not grown. India, despite being far from the likes of European and American countries, has achieved a few milestones in motorsports that we believe are worth a shoutout this month.
Narain Karthikeyan became the first Indian to participate in Formula One, and Force India was the first Indian team to participate in F1. Many may not be aware that Force India finished fourth in the F1 Constructors' Championship in 2016 and 2017, keeping legacy teams like Williams and McLaren at bay, which is a significant achievement.
(Credit- EVO India)
In May, Kush Maini became the first Indian to win a race in Formula 2, marking another milestone in the world of F1.
(Credit- EVO India)
In the Dakar Rally, which is the world’s toughest rally competition, India’s Harith Noah became the first Indian to win the Rally 2 class. Over the years, Hero Motorsports and TVS have represented the nation in the world’s most gruelling rally.
(Credit- The Bridge)
Hailing from Bengaluru, Aishwarya Pissay in 2019 became the first Indian to win the World Cup of a motorsport tournament. Pissay won the FIM World Cup in Hungary and also was the first woman to participate in the Baja Aragon Rally.
(Credit- Man World’s India)
The first motorsports sportsperson in India to win the Arjuna Award, Gaurav Gill, is a famous name in the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship. He was the first Indian to win the tournament in 2013, followed by two more titles in 2016 and 2018.
(Credit- The Bridge)
Arjun Maini, brother of Kush Maini, was the first Indian to secure a full-time contract in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM). He also became the first Indian to secure a pole in DTM and the first Indian racer to win a race in GP3. Not to be forgotten, he also participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.
(Credit- The Hollywood Reporter)
A superstar in Tamil cinema, Ajith Kumar, driven by his passion for vehicles and motorsports, has transitioned into the world of motorsports with his own team, Ajith Kumar Racing. At 54, Kumar himself gets behind the wheel and takes part in dangerous races. His team won third place in the 24H Series race and the 12H Mugello Car Race.
The above-mentioned racers are not the only ones who have put not only their money but also their lives at risk for the sake of Indian racing. Most of them rarely receive any media attention from mainstream media and spend their lives living in obscurity, despite all their efforts. It is high time more Indians ventured into motorsports, given that Formula One and other events are much more global and can truly put India in the limelight.a
