Pune: Diana Pundole, the 32-year-old racer from Pune, has made history by becoming the first Indian woman to compete in—and win—a Ferrari car race at an international championship. She achieved this milestone while driving the Ferrari 296 Challenge in the Ferrari Club Challenge Middle East, a championship that started in November 2025. Diana will race on some of the most prestigious Formula One circuits in the Middle East, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
A Victory That Made Every Woman Proud
Diana also created history at the MRF National Championship annual awards ceremony held at ITC Grand Chola, becoming the first Indian woman to win a national racing championship. Standing on the top podium while male competitors took the second and third positions, Diana brought pride to women across India. She dedicated her victory to her dedicated team, friends, and family, saying, “Your unwavering support has brought me this far. This award strengthens my resolve to break boundaries and reach new heights!”
From Pune to the World of Motorsport
Born on August 15, 1993, in Pune, Diana Pundole comes from the Parsi (Zoroastrian) community. She holds an MA in English (2015). Her passion for racing was inspired by her father, a lifelong motorsport enthusiast, who encouraged her love for the sport. Though he is no longer alive, Diana says his spirit guides her on the track.
From Teacher to Racer
Originally a teacher and a mother of two, Diana began her racing career in 2017. She made an immediate mark by finishing first among 150 women participants, realizing that teaching was not her ultimate calling—racing was.
Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Sport
Diana admits that being a woman in motorsports is not easy. She has faced bullying, deliberate crashes, and aggressive tactics from male competitors, but remains focused solely on her performance on the track.
Supportive Family
Diana is married to Saurabh Pundole, who, like her father, has been a constant source of encouragement in her racing career. The couple has two children, and Diana continues to balance her roles as a mother, wife, and professional racer.
Diana Pundole’s journey from a teacher in Pune to an international Ferrari champion is a story of determination, courage, and breaking barriers—proving that women can compete and win at the highest levels of motorsport.
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