Indian Racing League 2025 Driver Draft Held in Mumbai, Full Team Line-Ups Released

The Indian Racing League (IRL) has finalised its team rosters for the 2025 season through a structured driver draft held in Mumbai. A total of 24 drivers have been assigned to six city-based franchises, with a mix of international professionals, Indian racers and women drivers.

Indian Racing League 2025 Driver Draft Held in Mumbai, Full Team Line-Ups Released

The Indian Racing Festival’s 2025 season formally began with the first-ever driver draft for the Indian Racing League. The event took place on July 16, 2025, at Taj Lands End in Mumbai. The draft was attended by franchise owners, league organisers and media personnel.

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The format included 24 drivers divided among six city-based teams. Each team selected four drivers, including one experienced international driver, one Indian or Indian-origin international driver, one domestic Indian driver and one female racer.
Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director of Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd. (RPPL), said, “This brings our collective vision to life when it comes to the Indian Racing Festival 2025. With this driver draft, we’re building a new foundation for motorsport in India – one that’s inclusive, structured, and deeply competitive. The Driver Draft for IRL 2025 celebrates talent, promotes competence, and builds serious anticipation for the racing season. What we’re doing here is building a sport for India, by India, with the world watching.”

Team Composition Strategy

The selection process was aimed at balancing experience, skill, and diversity. Drivers were chosen based on performance data, race experience, and team requirements. The line-up includes drivers with backgrounds in Formula 4, GT racing, endurance formats, and single-seaters, along with returning IRL champions.

Teams and Drivers

Speed Demons Delhi (Owner: Arjun Kapoor)

  • Alister Yoong (Malaysia)
  • Sai Sanjay (India)
  • Shahan Ali Mohsin (India)
  • Caitlin Wood (Australia)

Hyderabad Blackbirds (Owner: Naga Chaitanya)

  • Jon Lancaster (UK)
  • Akshay Bohra (India)
  • Mohamed Ryan (India)
  • Gabriela Jilkova (Czech Republic)

Goa Aces (Owner: John Abraham)

  • Raoul Hyman (UK/SA)
  • Akash Gowda (India)
  • Chetan Surineni (India)
  • Fabienne Wohlwend (Liechtenstein)

Kolkata Royal Tigers (Owner: Sourav Ganguly)

  • Tom Canning (UK)
  • Sohil Shah (India)
  • Sandeep Kumar (India)
  • Alexandra Hervé (France)

Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru (Owner: Sudeep Kichcha)

  • Neel Jani (Switzerland)
  • Ruhaan Alva (India)
  • Kyle Kumaran (India)
  • Jem Hepworth (UK)

Chennai Turbo Riders (Owner: Keerthivasan)

  • Aqil Alibhai (Kenya)
  • Shibin Yousaf (India)
  • Tijil Rao (India)
  • Laura Camps Torras (Spain)

Season to Begin in August

The 2025 IRL season is scheduled to begin in August, with races planned across multiple cities in India. The calendar will include permanent race tracks as well as temporary urban circuits. Franchise teams will compete throughout the season with their drafted drivers.
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