Shriya Lohia: India’s First Female F4 Racer Shattering Barriers in Motorsports

At only 16 years of age, Shriya Lohia has made her mark in the history books of Indian motorsports as India's first-ever female Formula 4 (F4) driver. Her path from being a young karting enthusiast to being a star in the making in an industry dominated by men is a testament to her patience, aptitude, and unwavering commitment. Focused single-mindedly on perfection, she is not only racing—she is reshaping the face of Indian motorsports.

Early Passion and Path to Racing Success

Born and raised in Sundar Nagar, Himachal Pradesh, and grew up at the age of 9 with a passion for motorsports. She did not know that this hobby would become a passion when she first tried go-karting during family time.

Inspired by her potential, her parents encouraged her to fulfill it, and she began training under the expert hands of Mira Erda, one of India's best female race champions.

Breaking Stereotypes in a Male Domination Sport

Though Shriya came from a sports lover family where her father was a sportsperson, her sister was good at shooting, and her mother was an entrepreneur, she didn't have a direct family line in motorsport.

Her journey was quite challenging as she entered a world where female racers were rare. She encountered criticism and was subjected to dismissive remarks. But, she chose to turn these challenges into motivation for her ambitions. 

But in order to establish a balance between learning and training, she had to withstand the pressures of studies and sports. And, her ability to undertake these challenges perfectly speaks much of her discipline and dedication to achieving success. 

Her Remarkable Achievements

Shriya won the JK Tyre National Karting Championship in 2019 at just the age of 11. The victory put her in the spotlight in the eyes of the sporting world highlighting her potential and talent to the world. 

Her achievements soon doubled, making her achieve national recognition in the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar Award in 2022, India’s highest civilian honor for young achievers.

Shriya made history in 2024 by being India's first female Formula 4 driver. She drove for Hyderabad Blackbirds, one of the top racing teams, in the Indian Formula 4 Championship. But she made it big by earning points in her maiden season, an incredible feat for a rookie F4 driver.

Athlete with Global Aspirations

Shriya is a dedicated sportsperson with diverse sports interests in the likes of basketball, badminton, pistol shooting, cycling, and strength training. She used these sports to develop the vital traits of a competitive driver.

She actively pursues Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula E, World Rally Championship (WRC), and the World Endurance Championship (WEC), and from the world's best to improve her own race strategies.

The Road Ahead: Inspiring Future Generations

Shriya's tale is not a victory on a personal level, but it's a victory for women like her who are waiting for one opportunity to prove their talent. The status of motorsports is changing and opening doors for youngsters. Her tale tells us that gender could never act as an impediment to achieving greatness in any sport.

Her success paves the way for a new Indian motorsports era—one of diversity, meritocracy, and grit shaping the sport's future. With Shriya, the vision of an Indian woman behind the wheel on the international racing circuit is a reality that is now within reach.

Also Read : Mahindra Racing’s Formula E Comeback: A New Chapter of Success

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