Chennai, 14 December 2025: A brilliant drive by Kenya’s Shane Chandaria saw him become the youngest winner of the prestigious FIA Formula 4 Indian Championship in a tense and competitive finale at the Madras International Circuit, Irungattukottai, near here on Sunday.
Chandaria, just 15, entered the 2025 season as a rookie and ended it as the undisputed champion, sealing the first championship title of his young career. Representing Chennai Turbo Riders, he carried a 24-point advantage into the fifth and final round, but the margin was far from comfortable. With experienced rivals in pursuit and a demanding circuit offering little room for error, the championship outcome was still open heading into the weekend.
Nicknamed “Baby Samurai” for his composed yet assertive driving style, Chandaria rose to the occasion when it mattered most. Starting Race 1 from pole position, he managed the race with maturity beyond his years, completing the 23-lap contest in 26 minutes 23.059 seconds. Although he finished second on the road behind Sachel Rotge of Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru, who clocked 26:22.674, the points earned were sufficient for Chandaria to clinch the championship before the final race of the season.
With the title decided, Race 2 still provided a strong closing act to the championship. A reverse grid placed several front-runners further back, but Chandaria and Rotge once again found themselves in close combat, carving their way through the field with controlled aggression. Sixteen-year-old Luviwe Sambudla of Goa Aces JA Racing claimed victory, while Rotge produced a decisive double overtake on the final lap to finish second. Chandaria followed closely in third, ensuring both drivers ended the season on the podium, reflecting their season-long rivalry.
Across the championship, Chandaria and Rotge were the standout performers, finishing first and second respectively in the final standings. The third position was secured by Ishaan Madesh, whose consistency and experience played a significant role throughout the season. An eight-time Indian National Karting Champion, Madesh brought a measured approach to his Formula 4 campaign, regularly converting strong qualifying performances into points finishes. His third place overall marked an important transition milestone as he continued to adapt his karting pedigree to the demands of single-seater racing.
In the Teams’ Championship, Chennai Turbo Riders emerged victorious, underlining the strength of their driver lineup and race management over the course of the season.
The 2025 Indian F4 Championship further confirmed Chandaria’s reputation as a driver to watch. Of Kenyan nationality with Indian heritage, he began racing at the age of five and quickly rose through the karting ranks. He dominated the Kenya National Karting Championship, earning Rookie of the Year honours in 2021 and the national title in 2022. In 2024, he moved to the UK to compete in the British Karting Championship before transitioning to single-seaters through the Formula Global Shootout Program. Earlier this season in Chennai, he created history by becoming the first Kenyan driver to win an FIA Formula 4 race.
FIA Formula 4 serves as the first step on the global single-seater ladder, designed to bridge the gap between karting and higher-level formula racing. Apart from exposing young drivers to international-level competition, the championship also awards Super Licence points, a crucial requirement for progression toward Formula 1. In the Indian F4 Championship, competitors raced the Ligier JS F422, powered by an Alpine 1.3-litre turbocharged engine, offering a uniform platform that places emphasis squarely on driver skill and racecraft.
The season’s conclusion at Chennai reflected a championship defined by close competition, emerging talent, and a clear glimpse of the next generation of single-seater drivers making their mark.
