(December 27, 2025) At 15, Singapore-based, Indian-origin Kareen Kaur is emerging as a promising name in Asian motorsport, competing in FIA-certified Formula 4. Singapore’s first female Formula 4 driver, she balances school life with the demands of international racing. The youngest Southeast Asian female to score points in an FIA Formula 4 race, Kareen represents a new generation of Asian motorsport talent defined by discipline, ambition, and growing confidence on the global grid.
A full-time school student and competitive netball player, Kareen’s life is split between classrooms, training facilities, and racetracks across countries. What sets her apart is not just her early success in single-seater racing, but the determination with which she manages school, sport, and the expectations of breaking barriers in a male-dominated arena.
From fun karts to fierce competition
Kareen’s journey into motorsport began almost by chance. She first tried karting at the age of nine during a weekend outing with her father. “I did quite well in the fun karts even though it was my first time. I was then introduced to race karts, and I fell in love with the speed and realised it was something I wanted to pursue seriously,” she recalls in a chat with Global Indian.
Her first official race was in the cadet category in Singapore. From there, the competition intensified as she progressed to junior and senior categories and began racing overseas. “Things naturally got more competitive from then on,” Kareen says, describing a steady ascent shaped by discipline and growing ambition.
Family, faith, and finding her place on the grid
In a sport that demands time, resources, and emotional resilience, Kareen is clear about the role her family has played. “From being there for races and giving moral support on good days and bad days to helping me catch up with my schoolwork, they have always been there,” she says.
Today, she is among the few Indian-origin female drivers globally competing at the FIA Formula level. “To be the first Singaporean, Indian-origin female driver at this level is something I’m very proud of,” Kareen notes. “I hope it shows other young girls in Singapore and around the world that there is a place for them in motorsport.”
She adds that even small ripple effects matter. “If my presence on a grid inspires even one other girl to convince her parents to let her try karting, then that’s a huge win.” She also sees her journey as opening conversations around diversity in sport, particularly among potential sponsors looking to back underrepresented talent.
A breakthrough in Formula 4
Earlier this season, Kareen made her single-seater debut in the Indian Formula 4 Championship, where she became the youngest Southeast Asian female driver to score FIA F4 points—achieving the feat in her very first competitive weekend.
The Indian F4 Championship, certified by the FIA, is emerging as a critical platform for Asian and Indian-origin drivers aiming to enter the global single-seater ecosystem. Against this backdrop, Kareen’s performance carries significance not just for her career, but also for the region’s growing motorsport ambitions.
Podiums, milestones, and momentum
Kareen’s racing résumé already includes multiple podium finishes across championships. In 2025, she secured third place in the ROK Cup Singapore Championship and finished fourth in the ROK Cup Asia Championship, where she was the only female driver on the grid. She also claimed second place in the Final B of the first-ever FIA Arrive and Drive World Cup.
“This year was also important because I made my F4 debut earlier this year in India, at Kari Motor Speedway, and went on to drive at Madras International Circuit too,” she says. “It’s a milestone achievement for me personally, and my sights are always high for myself and the community that I represent in the world of motorsports.”
For Kareen, however, early success is only the beginning. “The hard work starts now—to sustain and consistently perform on global grids,” she adds.
Discipline beyond the driver’s seat
What truly distinguishes Kareen is her ability to manage multiple identities—student, athlete, and international racer—with remarkable discipline. “When I’m in school, I am 100 percent a student. When I’m training, I am 100 percent an athlete. There’s no overlap,” she explains.
Her days are long and tightly structured. “My busiest day starts at 5:30 am when I get up to go to school and for training. I reach home at 10 pm, complete my schoolwork, and get my stuff ready for the next day.” Social life often takes a back seat. “My studies and training come first,” she says matter-of-factly.
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Training the body and the mind
Based in Singapore, Kareen trains weekly with her coach and follows structured recovery routines to stretch and cool down. Her regimen includes motorsport-specific conditioning—neck strength, core stability, reflex training, and endurance work—to prepare for varying race conditions.
She also spends time on simulators to understand track layouts, car setups, and handling characteristics. “This year was a big jump from karting to F4, and it required a lot of training to get acclimatised to new machinery,” she explains.
Inspiration, she says, comes from both sensation and mindset. “It’s the feeling of being in the car, being perfectly in sync with the machine and pushing it to its absolute limits.” Motorsport, for Kareen, is as much mental as physical. “You’re always chasing those last few thousandths of a second.”
Her racing idol is Max Verstappen. “He never gives up, and that’s something I learn from watching him,” she adds.
Eyes on the future
Looking ahead, Kareen is exploring the possibility of an F1 Academy 2026 wild card—a pathway increasingly seen as the pinnacle for young female drivers. “It is the biggest goal for any driver,” she says.
Yet, even as she aims high, Kareen remains grounded. “The most important thing for me is my journey and carrying the right values through it. I would be proud to represent Singapore on any platform as I chase that ultimate dream of mine,” she signs off.
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