Indian motorsport is back in full throttle. The F4 Indian Championship has flagged off its fourth season on September 12-13, 2026, at the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The event also marks the official start of the 2026 Indian Racing Festival (IRF), organised by Racing Promotions Private Limited (RPPL).
Season Highlights
The FIA-certified F4 Indian Championship remains India’s premier platform for young single-seater drivers, giving them the chance to gain race experience and collect Super Licence points on home soil. The 2026 season will feature six rounds of F4 racing, run alongside four rounds of the Indian Racing League (IRL).
The season will conclude in December at the brand-new Navi Mumbai Street Circuit, marking the first major street-racing event in Indian motorsport history.
The IRL’s opening round is scheduled for October 24-25 at the Madras International Circuit in Chennai.
Teams and Drivers
Eight F4 teams are competing in the 2026 season, including Kolkata Royal Tigers, Chennai Turbo Riders, Hyderabad Blackbirds, Speed Demons Delhi, and Goa Aces JA Racing. The grid features 14 drivers representing eight nationalities — India, Singapore, the USA, Kenya, the UK, South Africa, Norway, and Australia.
The lineup includes Aaron Mehta (Singapore), Swarnav Das (India), Sai Aditya (USA/India), Anay Doshi (Kenya), Bhuvan Bonu (India), Shravan Shanmugavel (UK), Krishay Gutte (India), Aryan Narola (USA/India), and Mathias Alexander Forland (Norway), among others.
The Indian Racing League’s six franchise teams are backed by celebrities and industry figures — Kolkata Royal Tigers (Sourav Ganguly), Goa Aces JA Racing (John Abraham), Hyderabad Blackbirds (Naga Chaitanya), Speed Demons Delhi (Arjun Kapoor), and Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru (Kichcha Sudeep).
Why This Season Matters
The F4 Indian Championship was launched in 2023 and has since become an important stepping stone for India’s emerging racing talent on their path toward Formula 1. The series is also known for its low-cost structure — a full season is estimated to cost between roughly €70,000 and €120,000, making it one of the more affordable FIA-certified F4 championships in the world.
The championship also runs the F4 Global Shootout Program (FGSP), which awards scholarships to young drivers from around the world. The 2026 edition of the program was held at the Circuit du Var in France, with Aaron Mehta emerging as the winner.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is F4 coming to India?
Yes — F4 racing is already established in India. The F4 Indian Championship launched in 2023 and is now in its fourth season (2026). It is an FIA-certified series organised by Racing Promotions Private Limited (RPPL), held across major Indian circuits such as the Kari Motor Speedway and the Madras International Circuit.
Who are the current Indian F4 Championship drivers?
The 2026 grid includes drivers such as Aaron Mehta (Singapore), Swarnav Das, Sai Aditya, Anay Doshi, Bhuvan Bonu, Shravan Shanmugavel, Krishay Gutte, Aryan Narola, Mathias Alexander Forland, and Aris Kyriakou, representing eight nationalities across eight teams.
How much does the Indian F4 cost?
Indian F4 has been deliberately designed as a low-cost championship to keep it accessible to young talent. A full season is estimated to cost between about €70,000 and €120,000, making it one of the more affordable FIA-certified F4 series globally. Exact fees and regulations are published on the official website.
Is the Indian Racing League F4?
No, the two are distinct but run alongside each other. The F4 Indian Championship is a single-seater, open-wheel formula racing series, while the Indian Racing League (IRL) is a franchise-based championship featuring city-based teams. Together, they make up the Indian Racing Festival (IRF), and in 2026, both will conclude together at the Navi Mumbai Street Circuit.
How to join F4 in India?
Aspiring drivers typically move up from a karting background to join the F4 Indian Championship. There are two main routes — approaching RPPL directly to book a seat, or earning a scholarship through the F4 Global Shootout Program, an annual program that awards a fully funded seat to its winner. Full details on eligibility, process, and fees are available on the official website.
For live standings, schedules, and driver profiles, fans can follow the official F4 Indian Championship website: https://www.fiaindianf4.com/
Sources: FIA Indian F4 official website, Wikipedia, Telangana Today, Jagran, India Today, The New Indian Express, and RPPL press releases.