In a major milestone for Indian motorsport, the Indian Racing Festival (IRF) successfully hosted the first-ever Driver Draft for the Indian Racing League (IRL), marking a new chapter in the league’s evolution. Held in Mumbai, the event formalised the selection process for the upcoming 2025 season, establishing a structured and competitive framework for city-based franchises and showcasing a blend of international flair and homegrown talent.
A total of 24 drivers were selected, distributed evenly among six city-centric franchises. Each team will feature a four-driver lineup, comprising one experienced international driver, one emerging international or Indian-origin talent, one domestic Indian racer, and one female driver. This unique composition reflects the league’s commitment to inclusivity, gender diversity, and talent development—elements that are often underrepresented in motorsport.
24 Drivers. 6 Teams. One Ultimate Championship. 🏁
The grid is set. The lineups are locked in.
Presenting the official driver lineup for the 2025 season.
Speed, strategy and precision will define every lap. 🏎️Get ready for the Indian Racing Festival 2025🏁🔥#IRF2025 pic.twitter.com/tbVEUJr8wa
— Indian Racing League Official (@Irlofficial1) July 15, 2025
The 2025 grid boasts an exciting mix of veteran racers and promising newcomers. Headlining the international contingent are Neel Jani, a former Formula 1 test driver and Le Mans winner; Jon Lancaster, a GP2 veteran with endurance racing pedigree; and Raoul Hyman, a two-time IRL champion with experience in Formula 3. On the domestic front, the draft saw the inclusion of rising stars such as Ruhaan Alva, Sai Sanjay, Sohil Shah, and Akshay Bohra—all of whom have made impressive strides in junior formula categories, both in India and abroad.
Adding glamour and fan engagement to the league are its franchise owners, many of whom are household names from the entertainment and sports industries. Actor Arjun Kapoor leads the Speed Demons Delhi franchise, while Hyderabad Blackbirds is backed by actor Naga Chaitanya. Bollywood star John Abraham supports the Goa Aces, with cricket legend Sourav Ganguly helming the Kolkata Royal Tigers. Kichcha Sudeep owns Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru, and entrepreneur Keerthivasan leads the Chennai Turbo Riders.
6 Teams. 24 Drivers. New Line-ups. 🏎️🔥
The Indian Racing League Driver Draft is set to take place in Mumbai on July 15th,
where all six teams will pick their drivers for the 2025 season 🏁The road to an epic season starts now. 🚦#IRF2025 #IndianRacingFestival #Gridlineup pic.twitter.com/z8wbqyjzhe
— Indian Racing League Official (@Irlofficial1) July 14, 2025
The 2025 IRL season is set to kick off in August, with races confirmed at iconic Indian circuits such as the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore and the Madras International Circuit in Chennai. Additional venues are expected to be announced soon. The league’s city-based franchise format, inspired by the success of other Indian sports leagues, aims to bring motorsport closer to the public and increase regional engagement.
With a thoughtfully curated grid and significant celebrity involvement, the IRL 2025 season promises to elevate motorsport’s profile in India like never before.
