Over the years, India has revved into the Formula 1 world with grit, passion, and a growing squad of talented racers. From the first ever lap to today’s rising stars, here’s the top five Indian drivers who have made their mark on motorsport’s most thrilling stage.
1. Narain Karthikeyan
- Who is he? India’s first Formula One driver made his debut in 2005 with Jordan.
- Highlight of achievement: Placed an incredible fourth at the 2005 US Grand Prix, earning India’s only five Formula One points to date.
- Why is he unique? His debut on the grid demonstrated that an Indian driver was capable of competing at the highest level, making him a true pioneer.
2. Karun Chandhok
- Who is he? Followed Narain into F1 in 2010 with HRT, and later raced for Lotus in 2011
- Off-track legacy: Though his stint on track was short, he has become a respected F1 analyst and commentator.
- Why he matters: His career highlighted another path: no podiums, but lasting influence through media and promotion of motorsport in India.
3.Kush Maini
- Who is he? Alpine F1’s reserve/test driver for the 2025 season is a rising star.
- Recent achievements: He earned this F1 opportunity by finishing on several podiums and winning in his 2024 Formula One season.
- Reasons to watch: Being only 24, he is the first Indian to hold such a position since 2012 and is a serious contender to join Formula One’s main grid in the upcoming years.
4. Jehan Daruvala
- Who is he? Born in Mumbai, this F2 prodigy was once a Red Bull junior.
- Notable runs: Several F2 podiums, Formula 3 wins, and involvement in F1 testing with McLaren.
- Why he’s important His steady ascent keeps India firmly in race discussions, even though he is not yet in Formula One.
5. Arjun Maini
- Who is he? Kush’s older brother, who participated in the 2017–2018 Haas F1 development program.
- Highlights of his career: He dabbled in endurance racing and DTM, even placing third in Germany, becoming one of the first Indians to do so.
- Why he is on the list: Despite never competing in Formula One, his success in the sport and his behind-the-scenes Naraininvolvement help to maintain India’s reputation in the sport’s ecosystem.
| Driver | F1 role | Notable Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Narain | 0, HRT (2005–12) | 5 F1 points, 4th in US GP |
| Karun | HRT, Lotus (2010–11) | Paved a career beyond driving |
| Kush | Alpine reserve (2025–) | F2 win & podiums, new F1 chapter |
| Jehan | F2 racer & McLaren tester | F2 podiums & F3 wins |
| Arjun | Haas developmental driver | First Indian DTM podium |
Related Article:- Best F1 Drivers of All Time
Jehan kept the dream alive in junior formulas; Arjun helped build a bridge behind the scenes; Narain and Karun established India’s presence in Formula One and Kush is now close to securing a full F1 seat. When taken as a whole, these five demonstrate how quickly the Indian racing community is moving forward, full speed ahead of a time when our tricolor might once more be seen on an F1 podium.
What’s coming up
Within the next year or two, Kush hopes to be on the main grid. If he maintains his upward trajectory, Jehan might soon follow. The story of India’s fast track is just getting started. Ahead are exciting times!
