Nine-year-old Arshi Gupta has etched her name in Indian motorsport history by becoming the first Indian female to win the FMSCI National Karting Championship (Rotax) in the Micro Max class. The Delhi Public School, Faridabad student clinched the title at Meco Kartopia, Bengaluru, racing against competitors aged 8–12. Remarkably, she achieved this feat in only her second competitive season, becoming both the first Indian female and the youngest-ever champion in the Rotax series’ 21-year history.
Season highlights and decisive round
Racing for Leapfrog Racing, Arshi, born on 18 October 2016 in Faridabad, built her title momentum with a win in Round 3 at the Madras International Karting Arena in August 2025, followed by dominant performances in Coimbatore. In the Bengaluru finale, she stormed from mid-grid to victory in the Pre-Final and then controlled the Final from pole position to secure the national crown.
Racecraft and skill
Competing in the Micro Max category demands precision, consistency, and composure. Arshi impressed with clean starts, tactical overtakes, and mature tyre management—traits that belied her age. Her ability to adapt across circuits with varying grip and technical layouts showcased exceptional race intelligence for a nine-year-old.
Early start and training pathway
Arshi’s journey began when her father noticed her natural flair for speed during cycling sessions. Under coach Rohit Khanna, she began structured karting training in Gurugram in 2023. Her first major outing came at the Meritus Cup in 2024, and she entered the Rotax Nationals in 2025 as the youngest female competitor. International stints in the UAE (five months) and the UK (10 weeks) further refined her pace and discipline.
She also holds an India Book of Records title as the youngest female to earn a National Karting Licence, and represented Team India at the Asia Pacific Motorsports Championships in Sri Lanka (September 2025), finishing fourth in her class.