Saishiva Sankaran’s Formula One Dream: Young Indian Racer Eyes Seat Beside Max Verstappen

India’s motorsport scene has seen its fair share of ups and downs, but every few years, a young driver emerges who reignites hope for an Indian presence on the Formula One grid. One of the most promising names among this new generation is Saishiva Sankaran, a 17-year-old racer from Pune who has already made waves in the Indian F4 Championship and the Indian Racing League (IRL) with the Speed Demons Delhi team. His ultimate dream? To compete in Formula One alongside his idol, Max Verstappen.

Saishiva’s passion for racing began early. Like many motorsport enthusiasts, his love for speed was sparked during childhood car rides. Recognizing his natural fascination with automobiles, his parents introduced him to karting — a move that laid the foundation for his remarkable journey. He quickly began climbing the ranks, winning the Pro Cadet Indikarting Championship (2018), finishing on the podium at the JK Tyre Cadet Karting Championship (2019), and becoming Vice Champion at the MECO FMSCI National Karting Championship.

Transitioning to single-seaters, Saishiva proved his potential by becoming the youngest race winner in the MRF 1600 National Championship, where he also secured three podium finishes. His international exposure grew with a victory in the X30 Cadet Novice class at the IAME Series and a P2 finish in the National FLGB Endurance race (1300cc). By 2025, he had recorded multiple podiums in both the Indian F4 Championship and MRF National Championship, solidifying his reputation as one of India’s fastest-rising racing talents.

Despite his achievements, Saishiva remains grounded. “Outside the racetrack, I’m just a regular 17-year-old kid — school, friends, and a lot of time on my simulator,” he shared. His dedication reflects a disciplined balance between teenage life and professional racing aspirations.

Saishiva’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. Motorsport in India remains an expensive pursuit, often limited to those who can afford its steep costs. “It’s a sport where the rich can beat the talented,” he admitted, crediting his parents for the sacrifices that keep his racing dream alive. He believes initiatives like the Indian Racing League and RPPL’s Indian F4 are game-changers, offering affordable platforms for homegrown talent to train and compete before moving to Europe’s competitive circuits.

The young driver also sees a promising future for Indian motorsport. “In the next 4–5 years, I see India producing drivers capable of competing internationally in F2 and F3,” he predicted, citing the growing infrastructure, new racetracks, and rising awareness driven by Formula One viewership.

When asked about his biggest inspiration, Saishiva’s admiration for Max Verstappen is clear. “I’ve supported him since 2015. His raw pace, aggression, and confidence made me fall in love with single-seaters,” he said. Naturally, his dream destination is Red Bull Racing, the team synonymous with Verstappen’s dominance.

“If I ever make it to F1, my dream is to race for Red Bull and prove my worth. But even if not, I’d love to continue in GT3 or GT4 — racing will always be my life,” he added with a smile. And when asked if he’d like to be Verstappen’s teammate, his response was simple and confident:
“If he races that long — for sure.”

Saishiva Sankaran represents more than just individual ambition; he embodies the growing spirit of Indian motorsport — one that’s fast, fearless, and ready to take on the world stage.