THE THIRD SEASON of the FIA-certified Formula 4 Indian Championship, part of the Indian Racing Festival, concluded with a gripping finale at the Madras International Circuit in Chennai on 14 December. The spotlight belonged to Shane Chandaria, who made history by becoming the youngest champion of the series at just 15 years of age.
Entering the 2025 season as a rookie, Kenya’s Chandaria ended it as the undisputed title winner marking the first championship triumph of his young career. His team, Chennai Turbo Riders, headed into the fifth and final round with a commanding 24-point advantage at the top of the standings.
Living up to expectations, Chandaria, nicknamed ‘Baby Samurai’ capitalised on his early momentum to seal the title in Race 1 itself. Starting from pole position, the teenager completed the 23-lap race in 26 minutes, 23.059 seconds. Although he finished second behind Sachel Rotge of Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru, who clocked 26:22.674, the podium finish was sufficient to secure the championship.
With the title already decided, Race 2 delivered yet another thrilling chapter in the season-long duel between Chandaria and the Frenchman Rotge. Despite a reverse-grid format placing them towards the back, the pair carved their way through the field with bold overtakes. Sixteen-year-old Luviwe Sambudla of Goa Aces JA Racing claimed victory, while Rotge executed a sensational double overtake on the final lap to finish second, with Chandaria completing the podium in third.
The season firmly belonged to Chandaria and Rotge, who finished first and second in the overall standings respectively. Ishaan Madesh, the seven-time Indian National Karting Champion, secured third place. Chennai Turbo Riders further capped off a dominant campaign by winning the Teams’ Championship.
The F4 title underlined Chandaria’s growing reputation as one of motorsport’s most exciting young prospects. Of Kenyan nationality and Indian heritage, he began racing at the age of five and quickly rose through the ranks. He dominated the Kenya National Karting Championship, earning Rookie of the Year honours in 2021 and clinching the national title in 2022.
In 2024, Chandaria moved to the UK to compete in the British Karting Championship before transitioning to single-seaters through the Formula Global Shootout Program (FGSP). Earlier this season, during Round 2 in Chennai, he created history by becoming the first Kenyan driver to win an FIA Formula 4 race.
The FIA Formula 4 Championship serves as the first step on the single-seater racing ladder, offering young drivers exposure to international competition and crucial Super Licence points, essential for progression towards Formula 1. In the 2025 Indian F4 Championship, drivers competed in Ligier JS F422 cars powered by an Alpine 1.3-litre turbocharged engine.
