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Diana Pundole Set To Become First Indian Woman To Race A Ferrari - Will Race In Passione Ferrari Middle East
Pune-based racing driver and mother of two, Diana Pundole, is set to make history by becoming the first Indian woman to compete in an international Ferrari racing series. She will race a Ferrari 296 Challenge in the Ferrari Club Challenge Middle East (also known as Passione Ferrari Middle East), a factory-supported single-make championship.
The Passione Ferrari Middle East series runs from November 2025 to April 2026, covering circuits in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Each round features multiple track sessions focused on lap-time performance, driver development and technical consistency.
Pundole entered motorsport in 2018 after being selected in a national talent hunt. She progressed through club-level and national-level racing categories, competing in saloon-car championships and endurance events.
In August 2024, Pundole secured the MRF Indian National Car Racing Championship - Saloon Category title at the Madras International Circuit. With that win, she became the first Indian woman to win a national racing championship.
Her new ride will definitely be a step up from her racing days in India. The Ferrari 296 Challenge is a factory-developed race car based on the road-going 296 GTB. It comes equipped with a twin-turbo V6 engine and aerodynamic bodywork tuned for downforce, and also features data-logging systems and telemetry used by the official Ferrari engineering crew to analyse driver performance across each session.
Pundole's campaign is supported by multiple sponsors, including Aligned Automation and Ferrari New Delhi, which are providing financial backing and logistical support. The programme includes structured simulator training, fitness work and technical preparation ahead of the first official pre-season test.
The Ferrari Middle East Club Challenge (Passione Ferrari Middle East) series will expose her to professional racing environments and world-class circuits that host Formula 1 and endurance racing. Track sessions will include practice runs, performance-timed laps and data review meetings with Ferrari coaches.
The 2025-2026 Passione Ferrari Middle East season opens with Round 1 at Yas Marina Circuit (8-9 November 2025) in Abu Dhabi, followed by Round 2 at Bahrain International Circuit (19-20 December 2025). Round 3 moves to Jeddah Corniche Circuit (16-17 January 2026), then Round 4 at Lusail International Circuit (7-8 February 2026), and the finale in Round 5 will be at the Dubai Autodrome (4-5 April 2026).
Images Source: @diana.pundole on Instagram
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