Shriya Lohia made history as India’s first female Formula 4 driver to score points on debut, blazing a trail through a sport that’s notoriously expensive, male-dominated, and completely unfazed by teenage girls from Himachal Pradesh—until she showed up.

EARLY YEARS

Born and raised in Sundar Nagar, Himachal Pradesh—a region better known for peaceful mountain landscapes than high-octane motorsports—Shriya developed a passion for racing at the age of nine. In 2018, she started professional karting training in Bengaluru, a decision that required her entire family to uproot their lives. Her parents, Ritesh and Vandana Lohia, decided to leave no stone unturned to support their daughter’s unconventional dream. The commitment was real: regular trips from Pune to Bangalore for training, homeschooling to balance academics with racing, and the kind of financial investment that makes most families break out in hives. Currently a Class 11 science student, she’s juggling physics and podiums with equal determination.

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond the racetrack, Shriya has emerged as an advocate for women in motorsports. In 2024, she made her debut as a speaker at the prestigious IAmGame Sports Conclave, becoming the youngest participant at the event. She’s spoken publicly about breaking gender barriers in a sport where simply showing up as a woman is considered revolutionary. Additionally, she made headlines at Valley Run 2024 when she became India’s youngest drifter, taking a BMW e46 with a V8 LS3 engine for a spin and proving that her skill set extends well beyond traditional racing formats.

EARLY SUCCESS

Shriya’s karting career took off quickly. She became the runner-up in the 2019 JK Tyre FMSCI IAME X30 Karting Championship in the Cadet Category, finishing second overall with 134 points. The same year, she raced internationally in Malaysia and Italy, gaining valuable experience on foreign circuits. In 2022, she was selected for the FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars program in Le Castellet, France, competing against young female racers from around the world. She was also the only woman selected for the JK Tyre Motorsports Scholarship Program, a recognition that underscored her talent in a field where female participation is still depressingly rare. By the time she transitioned to single-seaters, she had already accumulated over 120 races and 35+ podium finishes.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2019: Runner-up in JK Tyre FMSCI IAME X30 Karting Championship, Cadet Category[1].
• 2022: Selected for FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars program in France[2].
• 2022: Third overall in Meritus Cup – Open category[3].
• 2022: Received Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar from Prime Minister Narendra Modi at age 13[4].
• 2023: First-ever female to score points on debut in Indian Formula 4 Championship[5].
• 2023: Joined Hyderabad Blackbirds as team junior driver[6].
• 2023: Awarded ZEE TV She Achievers Award[7].
• 2023: Received “Outstanding Women in Motorsports” award from FMSCI[8].
• 2024: Participated in Formula Srinagar Show Run at Dal Lake, Srinagar[9].
• 2024: Became India’s youngest drifter at Valley Run 2024[10].

INSPIRATIONS

When asked about her racing inspirations, Shriya cited F1 rookie Isack Hadjar as a personal influence. She’s also expressed admiration for Indian drivers Jehan Daruvala and Kush Maini, describing both as “immensely hard-working, humble, and consistent” and noting that she’d love to replicate their career trajectories. If she could choose, she’d want to be part of McLaren or Mercedes’ Driver Development programs, though getting there from India—where motorsport infrastructure is limited and funding is scarce—is a challenge she’s well aware of.

REPUTATION

Shriya has built a reputation as a determined and resilient competitor who refuses to let mechanical issues, incidents, or the structural barriers facing women in motorsports slow her down. Her 2024 F4 season didn’t go as planned due to technical problems and on-track incidents, but she’s remained focused on continuous improvement. With over 120 races, 35+ podiums, and eight national awards to her name, she’s earned recognition from AutoTrack Magazine with their “Emerging Women in Motorsports” award and multiple other honors. Former Sports Minister Anurag Thakur played a key role in supporting her journey, providing backing at a critical stage in her career. At just 17, she’s already being discussed alongside India’s most promising young racers as someone capable of putting Indian women on the global motorsport map.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Her short-term goals include qualifying for the Formula LGB series and competing in the saloon car series of the MRF INRC Championship. Ultimately, she’s chasing the dream that keeps her awake at night and on the track during the day: becoming a Formula 1 champion. It’s an audacious goal, especially from a country with minimal F1 infrastructure and even less financial support for female racers. But if there’s one thing Shriya has proven, it’s that she’s not interested in playing it safe.

REFERENCES

Meet Shriya Lohia, the teenage driver determined to put India back on the map
Meet India’s first female F4 racer Shriya Lohia. Her education, family and achievements
Woman Spotlight Wednesday: Shriya Lohia
Shriya Lohia | Indian Racing Driver
About – Shriya Lohia
Career Highlights | Shriya Lohia
Shriya Lohia receives the 2022 Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar
Meet Shriya Lohia: From Go-Karts at 9 to Shattering Speed Limits
JK Tyre National Karting Championship: Umashankar, Alva clinch top honours in X-30 class
Shriya becomes India’s youngest drifter at Valley Run 2024