Indian Racing League 2025: Full Team Line-Ups Announced After First-Ever Draft

The Indian Racing Festival (IRF) marked a significant development for Indian motorsport with the successful completion of its first official Driver Draft for the Indian Racing League (IRL). Hosted in Mumbai, the event formalised the team selection process for the upcoming 2025 season, laying the groundwork for what is expected to be one of the most structured and competitive editions of the league so far.

In total, 24 drivers were selected across six city-based franchises, each team fielding a four-driver roster. The selection framework was designed to ensure diversity, balance, and performance parity. Each lineup includes one experienced international driver, one emerging international or Indian-origin talent, one domestic Indian driver, and one female racer. This approach, inspired by global league formats, is being viewed as a step toward greater inclusivity and professionalism within Indian motorsport.

The 2025 grid features an eclectic mix of seasoned international names and rising domestic talent. Among the high-profile selections are Neel Jani, a former Formula 1 test driver and Le Mans winner; Jon Lancaster, who brings GP2 and endurance racing credentials; and Raoul Hyman, a two-time IRL champion with Formula 3 experience. These drivers will compete alongside promising Indian racers such as Ruhaan Alva, Sai Sanjay, Sohil Shah, and Akshay Bohra — all of whom have demonstrated potential in both Indian and international junior formula competitions.

Here's a tentative race calendar for the 2025 IRL:

The women’s lineup also reflects the league’s emphasis on inclusivity and global appeal. It includes Fabienne Wohlwend, known for her time in the W Series and Ferrari Challenge; Gabriela Jilkova, a sim and GT racing specialist; Caitlin Wood, with experience in the GT World Challenge and W Series; and Laura Camps Torras, a Ferrari Driver Academy alumna. Their participation brings an additional layer of international expertise and representation to the championship.

Franchise Owners and Celebrity Involvement

The IRL team owners were present during the draft and participated in a post-event press conference. They include well-known personalities from cinema and sport, such as:

1. Speed Demons Delhi- Arjun Kapoor
2. Hyderabad Blackbirds- Naga Chaitanya
3. Goa Aces- John Abraham
4. Kolkata Royal Tigers- Sourav Ganguly
5. Kichcha's Kings Bengaluru- Sudeep Kichcha
6. Chennai Turbo Riders- Keerthivasan 

When Does The Season Start?

The 2025 season is set to begin in August, with races confirmed at Coimbatore’s Kari Motor Speedway and Chennai’s Madras International Circuit. While details about additional circuits are yet to be announced, the league’s city-centric format is intended to bring motorsport closer to the public and boost regional fan engagement, similar to other franchise-based sports leagues in India.