She didn’t shrink to fit into spaces that society creates for a woman. She carved her own niche in a male-dominated territory. Diana Pundole from Maharashtra is the first woman from India to have raced a Ferrari abroad.
In her first international race at Abu Dhabi last year in November, the 33-year-old motorsports sensation gave her best performance while competing against world-class drivers. Though she wasn’t the champion in this race, it was an incredible journey for an Indian woman, who was once criticized for her decision to quit a teaching job for pursuing her passion. That’s something that is rarely expected of a woman in an average Indian household.
ACHIEVEMENTS ON A ROAD LESS TAKEN
A month later the same year, she finished second at another round of the race at Bahrain International Circuit. Not just that, she also finished the maximum number of laps during her session. It fetched her a trophy, a moment to celebrate not just her individual success but the victory of womanhood over the many stereotypes it is associated with.
“I participated in the championship with not much expectations. I was aware of my limitations and of the fact that the tracks in Middle East weren’t known to me. These were technically challenging. The tracks were nothing similar to what I had experienced in India. I took this up as an opportunity to learn. It was certainly a chance to grow, pushing my limits,” she said.
Her next big win was at Jeddah Corniche. She again finished second. Across the globe, it is known to be the fastest street race in the Formula One motorsports.
“There are several blind fast corners. It is particularly challenging as there are no run-off areas,” she explained.
“I had never been in this track and had barely any practice. This exemplified that with focus, dedication, and continuous hard work, everything is possible to achieve. That moment reaffirmed my belief in the fact that if you are willing to put in energy, time, passion, and perseverance, you can achieve extraordinary things,” she said.
Though she missed it to the Saudi Prince to clinch the first position, her race in Qatar was also packed with thrill and a show of her indomitable spirit. After all these power shows, she is preparing for the final round of the race to be held in Dubai Autodrome in April.
LOOKING BACK
As she prepares with a hope to be a champion in Dubai, she also looks back at her not-so-easy journey.
“The society had tried to break my confidence. When I hold these trophies, I feel that when you chase your passion, dreams turn into reality if you don’t give up. These podium finishes are a testament to resilience and courage,” she shared.
Despite various criticism, she had her family by her side. In fact, she had developed an interest in sports quite early in life due to the kind of upbringing she received.
She was born in a Parsi family. Her parents, Jasmine Rana and Darius Buhariwalla, encouraged her to have a holistic experience of life, not confining her to stereotyped options. Along with her brother, she learnt various sports, life skills and extra-curricular activities, besides also laying emphasis on academics.
She did her schooling in Pune. She has a master’s degree in English Literature and Phonetics from Wadia College in Pune.
As she recollects her early years, she feels it was her mother’s encouragement that shaped her up into a motorsports champion. Her tryst with sports at a young age helped her become competitive.
Her fascination for speed has also its roots in the family. She claims her parents to be excellent at driving.
“My father would never miss any race weekend. Hence, I also watched Top Gear on television. I spent time reading and listening to Jeremy Clarkson, Tiff Needell and Vicky Butler Henderson,” she said.
Such was her passion for cars that she would not splurge on buying fashion accessories while holidaying. Rather, she would hire a sports car.
“I took to karting when I was still pursuing my education. But later when I completed my degree, I had got a job as a teacher at a school,” she revealed.
But destiny had some other plans. She learnt about a racing event for women at Coimbatore. She was among six contestants, who were chosen from 200 participants at event that aimed at looking for female talent in motorsports, for a sponsored racing programme.
This was her first professional entry in the sport.
“Many of the co-contenders left the programme midway. They found it difficult to travel frequently. They even didn’t consider it to be something worthy. That’s because we were not winning the national races initially as we were greenhorns, competing with male drivers, who were way ahead of us in terms of training,” she said.
However, she was neither affected by victory nor loss. She kept on practicing till she achieved success.
“I continued participating in open wheel racing. I also gained interest in touring, stock, modified, semi-modified, and GT cars. Thus, she turned to MRF National racing championships. She also took part in autocross races at Buddh International Circuit,” she said.
After winning a few races, she took up rigorous training in karting, supported by Racetech India in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. She also trained in some European tracks.
In 2023 season, she was the first female to be awarded fastest lap official practice. The next year, she scripted history by becoming the first Indian female to win the MRF National Racing Championship. Her victory was in the saloon car category.
“I am the only Indian woman who has won on equal footing as men in a four-wheeler national championship in the country’s history,” she said.
She also managed to secure sponsor for moving on to the Ferrari Challenge Series.
SETBACKS ON THE TRACK
Like any other driver, she had her own setbacks as well.
“I have walked away from plenty of crashes. But one in particular stands out,” she revealed.
It was a time when her car spun out because another vehicle was being driven in the opposite direction of the racing line.
“To avoid a collision, I had to jerk the steering abruptly,” she said.
The impact of this sudden halt was such that her car was airborne at full speed and then struck a tree.
In another race, she went wheel-to-wheel into a high-speed corner against a male competitor.
“I refused to lift off the throttle, not fearing a mishap. Racing is defined by that thrill of competition. If you aren’t willing to go for it with everything you have got, you have already lost the spirit of being a racer,” she said.
GEARING UP FOR THE FUTURE
She will participate in races in Abu Dhabi next winter. It will be an endurance race for six hours. Next, she will also race in Dubai endurance race and take part in the Porsche Swiss Cup in Europe.
But what does it take to prepare for such fierce contests?
“It is an ongoing preparation beyond the tracks. The focus is on strength training with emphasis on spine mobility, isometric holds and doing cardio exercises for a couple of hours daily,” she said, adding that she follows it without any gaps, except during the racing weekends.
Once the race week starts, she consults the coach and draws up a strategy.
“I study data and analyse fastest laps on the circuit. I remember to consider climate, track temperature, tyre pressure and overall condition. I also consider the fuel levels and various other parameters,” she said.
IT’S ALL IN THE MIND!
The night before the actual test on the tracks, she spends some time working out a strategy in her mind. In some minutes, she visualizes the lines. She plans how to adjust her inputs as the tyres bear the brunt.
“Sitting up in bed or wherever, I run full laps in my mind. I go through the entire sequence,” she said.
“I place my hands on an imaginary wheel. I take control of the gear shifts and put the pressure on the pedals… well, that’s all in imagination. So, before I go to the tracks, I have already driven the circuit!” she chuckled.
REPRESENTING COUNTRY, AWAY FROM HOME COMFORTS
International events have been quite challenging. When she took to the sports on an international grid, it appeared to be like a whole new world to her.
“I have had the opportunity to be able to practice on a few foreign tracks since last few years. The competition is intense. Drivers from across the world bring their uniqueness to the track. Be it the speed or technology, everything is exceptional and of absolute professional standards. There is no choice but to elevate your own skills and mindset towards the sport,” she said, adding that representing the country brings both responsibility and thrill to her.
“I wasn’t just racing for myself only, but to inspire other women back home,” she said. This added a layer of meaningful purpose to her efforts.
“These races taught me that when you stop worrying about the result and focus on your efforts solely, success naturally follows,” she signs off.
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