Kareen Kaur

At just 15 years old, Kareen Kaur made history as Singapore’s first female Formula 4 driver—and she doesn’t even have her driver’s license yet. Racing at speeds over 200 km/h while juggling homework and netball practice, this Sikh teen from CHIJ Secondary is rewriting what’s possible for girls in motorsport across Asia.

EARLY YEARS

Born into a sports-obsessed family, Kareen was practically destined for competition—though perhaps not the kind anyone expected. Her father, Kuldeep Singh, a 44-year-old fitness enthusiast, encouraged all three of his daughters to pursue athletics. While her siblings Kushvin Kaur (wrestling) and Kavneet Kaur (track and field) stuck to more traditional paths, Kareen discovered karting at age nine and never looked back. Growing up in Singapore, she quickly realized she was often the only girl in the drivers’ briefing room—a reality that would become her normal.

OTHER INTERESTS

Despite clocking serious track time, Kareen maintains the life of a typical Secondary 3 student at the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) Secondary. She plays netball for her school team and somehow manages to balance homework with a racing schedule that would exhaust most adults. As the youngest ambassador for the Singapore Cancer Society, she uses her platform to raise awareness through her racing career—proving that speed and social responsibility aren’t mutually exclusive. She’s also secured sponsorships with Motul Asia and Saltify, partnerships that reflect her growing influence in the sport.

EARLY SUCCESS

Kareen’s ascent through karting was swift and undeniable. As a 29R Racing Development team driver, she became known as “Singapore’s karting queen” before she hit high school. In 2024, at just 14 years old, she placed fourth overall in the junior category of the ROK Cup Singapore Championship and was crowned top female driver when the season concluded in September. By June 2024, she’d already snagged a second-place finish in the first round of ROK Cup Malaysia. Her talent caught the attention of the Champions of the Future Academy, and she completed her Formula 4 training and certification—making her Singapore’s first female F4 driver and the first Sikh female to compete at this level.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2024: Fourth place overall in junior category, ROK Cup Singapore Championship; recognized as top female driver[1].
• 2024: Second place, ROK Cup Malaysia first round[2].
• 2025: Third place, ROK Cup Singapore Championship[3].
• 2025: Became Singapore’s first female Formula 4 driver[4].
• 2025: Scored FIA F4 points on debut at Indian F4 season opener, becoming the youngest Southeast Asian female to do so[5].
• 2025: Competed in FIA Arrive and Drive World Cup[6].
• 2025: Raced with Pinnacle Motorsport (#67) in F4 South East Asia Championship at Sepang International Circuit[7].

INSPIRATIONS

When asked about her racing heroes, Kareen doesn’t hesitate: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen tops her list. She admires his focus, control under pressure, and ruthless consistency—qualities she’s clearly trying to emulate. She’s also a fan of F1 Academy driver Bianca Bustamante, one of the few high-profile women making waves in formula racing. As a young Sikh girl navigating a male-dominated sport, she’s keenly aware that she’s not just racing for herself—she’s representing a new generation of Asian motorsport talent and showing other girls what’s achievable.

REPUTATION

Kareen has earned respect not just for breaking barriers, but for her grit and maturity on track. After a crash that could’ve rattled anyone, she focused on quick physical recovery through endurance training and oxygen therapy, demonstrating a level of professionalism beyond her years. Competitors and media outlets have noted her steady progress and consistency throughout 2025, with podium finishes mounting in the Senior Category. Despite technical issues that occasionally plagued her during races like the Indian F4 rounds, she continues collecting valuable mileage and learning experience. Journalists describe her as determined, focused, and refreshingly grounded—someone who understands that being “the first” comes with the responsibility of inspiring others.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Her ambition is crystal clear: a successful professional career in top-tier motorsport. Right now, that means laser focus on performing well in F4 and beyond. She dreams of racing in the all-women F1 Academy, a goal that feels increasingly attainable given her trajectory. Once she completes her O levels in 2026, her family plans to relocate her to Italy—the epicenter of European motorsport—where she can train and compete at the highest levels. For Kareen, it’s not just about winning; it’s about representing Singapore on the world stage and proving that a young Sikh girl from Southeast Asia belongs in the fastest cars on the planet.

REFERENCES

[1] Teen racing star Kareen Kaur aims to break barriers in Formula Four – Young Post
[2] Teen racing star Kareen Kaur aims to break barriers in Formula Four – Young Post
[3] Kareen Kaur: Youngest Southeast Asian girl to score FIA F4 points – Global Indian
[4] She juggles homework and fast cars. This 15-year-old is Singapore’s first female Formula 4 driver – CNA
[5] Indian F4: Female rookies secure top ten finishes in season opener – Racers Behind the Helmet
[6] Kareen Kaur: Youngest Southeast Asian girl to score FIA F4 points – Global Indian
[7] Kareen KAUR F4 South East Asia Championship Sepang International Circuit Race Results – 51GT3
She’s 15 and drives at over 200kmh. Meet Singapore’s first female Formula 4 driver – CNA YouTube
Breaking barriers as first Sikh female F4 racer – Asia Samachar
Kareen Kaur: Singapore’s Rising Star in Motorsport – Waves and Runways
15-Year-Old Singaporean Racer Kareen Kaur Partners with MOTUL – Vanilla Luxury
Singapore go-karter Kareen Kaur, 14, dreams of racing in all-women F1 Academy – The Straits Times
A family’s sporting bond – Tabla
Talking About The Future With Racer Kareen Kaur – FZINE Singapore