Diana Pundole: Fueled by passion and a heart for racing

In a world where motorsport has long been dominated by men, Diana Pundole's recent victory marks a groundbreaking moment not just for her career but for women in racing in the country.

As the first Indian woman to win a championship title in the MRF Saloons category at the Indian National Car Racing Championship 2024, Pundole has redefined the boundaries of what is possible for women racers.

A historic achievement

Diana Pundole’s path to this remarkable achievement was far from conventional.

While the aspiration existed, it took a national talent hunt for women in 2017 to pave the way for her to enter a field that is notoriously difficult to break into, let alone for women.

Despite lacking a traditional racing background, Diana’s deep-rooted passion for motorsport, fueled by family karting sessions and an undying fascination with Formula One, led her to pursue a path that many deemed particularly challenging for women.

"Winning this championship is a dream come true,” Diana told The Bridge in an exclusive interview.

The MRF Saloon category, renowned for its intense competition and high standards, posed significant challenges for Diana. What's more, this year’s series featured the Toyota Etios, a race-modified car that tested her skills and determination to the limit.

Behind the victory

To fully appreciate Diana Pundole's remarkable achievement in the MRF Saloons category, it’s insightful to understand the context of the championship and her journey through it.

Diana herself offered a detailed account of her experience and the intricacies of the MRF Saloons series.

“MRF racing has been around for the last 42 years,” she explained. “They’ve always had a number of different categories for different types of racers. For example, single-seater racing, saloon car racing, modified cars, and super stock cars. There are tons of categories a racer can choose from.”

Diana began her career with single-seater racing in cars known as FLGBs, and participated in the Polo Cup Championship and Indian Touring Cars before moving to the saloon car category.

“I started my career with single-seater racing, which is like a smaller Formula One car,” she said. “I did that for two years and then moved on to saloon cars.”

The MRF Saloon category, in which Diana competed, is a one-make series where all participants drive the same race-modified Toyota Etios.

“This car is souped up and race-spec’d, with roll cages and everything according to race prep,” she described. “Each racing season consists of four rounds throughout the year, starting in February and concluding in August.”

Diana’s journey through the championship was marked by a series of high-stakes races.

“Round one was amazing for me. I started on pole position because of my qualifying result, and I was the fastest in all the sessions among 15 competitors,” she recounted.

“Race one was fantastic; I started on pole and finished on pole, no problems at all. Race two, being a reverse grid race, was challenging because the fastest from qualifying starts at the back. I ended up in second position after some intense overtaking.”

In the final round, Diana made a strategic choice.

“For the reverse grid race, I decided to stay in second position rather than take risky moves. I had more to lose if I spun out of the track. I sealed the championship in the last race, starting on pole and maintaining a comfortable lead,” she explained.

“The last five laps were beautiful because I was essentially on my own, and I crossed the checkered flag with a lot of thrill," she added.

Shattering stereotypes

Diana success is more than just a personal victory — it represents a significant shift in the landscape of motorsport and the stereotypes associated with it.

“Being a woman doesn’t give any special advantage in racing,” she stated candidly. “It’s about talent and performance, not gender.”

Her victory serves as a reminder that success in motorsport, skill and perseverance matter more than anything else, even gender.

“Racing is extremely physically demanding,” Diana explained.

“We wear full racing gear in high temperatures, which leads to significant perspiration. Staying fit and well-prepared helps manage the physical strain.”

Her ability to balance the physical demands of racing with her personal life dispels preconceived notions about women’s capabilities in the sport.

“My children are my biggest cheerleaders,” she said, with a rise smile.

Diana's ability to compartmentalize her racing and personal life highlights her commitment to excellence.

“When I’m racing, I focus entirely on the track and the task at hand. It’s essential to keep my mind on the race to perform at my best. I don’t let personal concerns distract me during the race,” she added.

A change in perception

Diana on-track achievements have also prompted a noticeable shift in public perception, much to her surprise.

“I wasn’t prepared for this scale of attention from the media, and I have a diary full of interviews from the media.”

Diana, however, finds the sudden attention rather strange.

"People used to taunt me and pull me down. Now, it’s like the world has turned upside down for me because suddenly everyone is saying ‘congratulations,’ and I’m like, where was this in the beginning?” 

According to Diana, her early racing aspirations were met with subtle discouragement, often more implied than explicit.

“It wasn’t very direct; it was very subtle,” she revealed. “But if any woman were to follow in my footsteps, I’m glad that I’ve paved the way for a nation full of women filled with energy and positivity to do this.”

Diana aims to change the prevailing attitudes towards women in motorsport, advocating that “if it’s something that you are passionate about, it doesn’t matter what anyone says. Just blindly follow your heart, as it’s the only way you’ll be able to do it long-term.”

Looking ahead

With her newfound success, Diana Pundole now has eyes set on future challenges, including potential races at international circuits such as the Dubai Autodrome.

“My goal is to keep improving and I'm taking it race by race,” she said.

Diana’s plans include continued participation in saloon racing events and exploring opportunities for future races.

Her aspirations extends far beyond her career goals and her vision is to inspire and encourage other women to pursue their dreams in motorsport.

“Start by going to a go-karting track and practicing regularly. Karting is a great way to get introduced to racing. From there, you can find training programs and teams to help you advance in motorsports,” Diana concluded with advice for aspiring women racers.