Indian Racing League 2025: Jani, Hyman and Indian Stars Picked in Historic Driver Draft

The Indian Racing League’s 2025 edition marked a bold new chapter on July 15 with its inaugural driver draft, hosted at Mumbai’s Taj Lands End. The event served as a gathering point for franchise owners, league executives, and media representatives, officially kicking off a season set to deliver intense competition, international talent, and stronger fan involvement. It was conceived to bring more structure and openness to the team selection process, a first in Indian motorsport, while reinforcing the Indian Racing Festival’s commitment to building a league that balances inclusivity with performance excellence.

Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director of Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd. (RPPL), the organisation behind IRF, said, 'This brings our collective vision to life when it comes to the Indian Racing Festival 2025. With this driver draft, we’re building a new foundation for motorsport in India – one that’s inclusive, structured, and deeply competitive. The Driver Draft for IRL 2025 celebrates talent, promotes competence, and builds serious anticipation for the racing season. What we’re doing here is building a sport for India, by India, with the world watching.'

The First-of-its-Kind Draft

A total of 24 drivers were drafted, with each franchise building its lineup around four distinct categories: one seasoned international racer, one Indian or Indian-origin driver with global experience, one rising Indian talent, and one female competitor. The selections showcased a strong balance between veteran expertise and emerging potential.

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The draft spotlighted renowned names like Neel Jani, former F1 test driver and Le Mans champion, Raoul Hyman, twice an IRL title-winner, and Jon Lancaster, with GP2 and endurance racing credentials. They will line up alongside emerging Indian racers such as Ruhaan Alva, Sai Sanjay, Sohil Shah, and Akshay Bohra, as well as standout women drivers Fabienne Wohlwend, Caitlin Wood, and Gabriela Jilkova. The league now accelerates toward an exciting August kickoff.

Following the draft, a joint press conference was held where all six team owners, some of whom are prominent figures from Indian film and sports, unveiled their squads and shared their ambitions for the league. Owners, along with their technical teams, were actively involved throughout the selection process, aiming to align performance goals with regional representation.

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The 2025 season begins in August, featuring races on both traditional race circuits and urban street tracks across India.