Salva Marjan is India’s trailblazing motorsports racer from Kerala who’s battling financial odds, depression, and a brutally male-dominated sport to become the first woman from her state to join the F1 Academy—and she’s doing it with grit, side hustles, and an entrepreneurial spirit that refuses to quit.

EARLY YEARS

Born on July 24, 1999, in Kozhikode, Kerala, India, Salva grew up in a household that didn’t exactly scream “motorsports dynasty.” Her father, Chembra Panachingal Kunjamu, her mother Subaida, and her siblings Sahla, Sinan, and Sabith supported her dreams even when those dreams seemed wildly impractical. Part of her childhood was spent in Bahrain, where her obsession with speed began in the most relatable way possible: remote-controlled cars her dad brought home. While other kids played house, Salva was tearing up imaginary racetracks, and that early exposure to a world beyond rural Kerala planted the seed. She wasn’t just dreaming about driving fast—she was already imagining herself behind the wheel.

OTHER INTERESTS

When she’s not strapped into a race car, Salva is building a drift racing team in the UAE—because apparently one impossible dream wasn’t enough. She’s also an entrepreneur who worked multiple jobs to fund her racing career, proving she’s as savvy with business as she is with braking zones. She holds a degree in business administration, which makes sense when you consider she’s had to hustle, negotiate sponsorships, and essentially become her own manager in an industry that doesn’t hand opportunities to women on a silver platter. Her training regimen is no joke either: 2-3 hours of gym work in the morning, 4-6 hours of on-track or simulator training, and another 4 hours in the evening. She’s not just committed—she’s obsessed, in the best possible way.

EARLY SUCCESS

Salva’s professional racing journey began in 2018 with Formula LGB Racing at DTS Racing, a team that didn’t just give her a shot—they believed in her. Despite limited resources and the constant challenge of funding, she showed she had the raw talent and hunger to compete. Her debut season wasn’t about podiums; it was about proving she belonged. And she did. The team at DTS Racing became her foundation, the people who saw her potential when the rest of the motorsports world was still catching up. From there, she graduated to the Indian F4 Championship, where she became a regular face in a series that was slowly—very slowly—opening its doors to female drivers. In 2023, she competed in the F4 Indian Championship and later expressed interest in participating in F4 UAE, showing she was ready to take her skills international.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2018: Began professional racing career with Formula LGB Racing at DTS Racing[1].
• 2023: Competed in F4 Indian Championship as one of the only female drivers in the series[2].
• 2024: Secured top ten finishes during the Indian F4 season opener alongside other female rookies[3].
• 2024: Named brand ambassador for Next Level Racing, securing partial sponsorship for training expenses[4].
• 2025: Set to become the first woman from Kerala to join the Formula 1 Academy in January[5].

INSPIRATIONS

Lewis Hamilton’s name comes up a lot when Salva talks about what keeps her going. “Lewis Hamilton’s words echo in my mind,” she’s said, and it’s clear his journey from outsider to champion resonates deeply with her. She also draws inspiration from legends like Ayrton Senna, Niki Lauda, and Michael Schumacher—drivers who redefined what was possible in their eras. But beyond the famous names, it’s her coach Diljit who left a mark. She remembers a training session where she’d shown clear progress, but he didn’t seem impressed. It stung. Later, he pulled her aside and explained he was pushing her because he saw her potential. That moment taught her that belief isn’t always soft—sometimes it’s tough love that makes you faster.

REPUTATION

In a sport where women are still the exception, Salva has earned respect for her relentless work ethic and refusal to be sidelined. She’s known for bouncing back from crashes and spins—not with excuses, but with a mindset focused on learning and improving. She’s been open about dealing with depression and anxiety, which only makes her story more compelling. This isn’t a fairytale—it’s a grind, and she’s honest about it. Her reputation is built on grit, transparency, and a fierce determination to represent India on the global stage. She’s not just breaking barriers; she’s smashing them with the same intensity she brings to every lap.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

In January 2025, Salva is set to make history as the first woman from Kerala to join the F1 Academy, a stepping stone toward her ultimate dream: representing India in Formula 1. She’s actively pursuing opportunities in upcoming Formula 4 championships and is committed to continuous improvement through dedicated training and sim racing. Beyond her own racing career, she’s building a drift racing team in the UAE—a bold move aimed at creating a space where raw talent can grow without the usual gatekeeping. Her goals are clear: race at the highest level, inspire the next generation of female racers, and prove that an Indian woman from a small town in Kerala can compete with the best in the world.

REFERENCES

[1] Salva Marjan on Speed, Struggles, and Smashing Stereotypes – LA POLO
[2] 2023 F4 Indian Championship – Wikipedia
[3] Indian F4: Female rookies secure top ten finishes in season opener – Racers Behind the Helmet
[4] Salva Marjan, to make history as the first female to join F1 Academy from Kerala – Gulf News
[5] Meet 25-yr-old Salva Marjan, Kerala’s first woman set to join Formula 1 Academy – Economic Times
Salva Marjan – The F1 Racer (Official Website)
Lewis Hamilton’s words echo in my mind: Kerala’s first female F4 racer Salva Marjan – New Indian Express
How Is Salva Marjan ‘Braking’ Stereotypes – The Better India
Salva Marjan | Ambassadors – Next Level Racing