The third round of the 2026 F4 India Championship took place at the Madras International Circuit, where Luviwe Sambudla from Goa Aces JA Racing emerged as the overall leader following an impressive performance that included two race victories.
Aaron Mehta, a 15-year-old driver representing Kolkata Royal Tigers, also made headlines by clinching a win, marking him as the youngest winner in the history of the championship.
Sambudla’s dominance was evident as he secured victories in two out of the three races during this round, with Ntiyiso Mabunda finishing in second place across all three events.
Race Highlights
In the opening race, Sambudla showcased his skill in challenging mixed conditions, starting from sixth position and quickly moving up to second. On the ninth lap, race leader Aris Kyriakou experienced a loss of rear grip, which Sambudla took advantage of, ultimately crossing the finish line with a lead of 9.606 seconds while also recording the fastest lap.
Following Sambudla’s victory, Mabunda executed a remarkable comeback, climbing from tenth to second place, while Aryan Narola from Goa Aces JA Racing completed the top three.
Sambudla continued his strong form into the second race, again starting from sixth on the reverse grid. However, this time, he faced intense competition from Mabunda. The two drivers battled closely, with Sambudla finishing just 1.211 seconds ahead of Mabunda, while Kyriakou recovered to secure a podium finish.
Mehta’s Breakthrough Win
The final race of the round proved to be a defining moment as Aaron Mehta converted his pole position into a remarkable victory. Despite facing tricky conditions, a red flag situation, and a Safety Car period, Mehta maintained his composure and fended off a late challenge from Mabunda, finishing with a narrow margin of just 0.546 seconds.
Sambudla, despite finishing third in this race, managed to stand on the podium in all three races of the round, further solidifying his position in the championship standings.
Championship Standings Update
Prior to Round 3, Kyriakou led the championship standings, with Sambudla trailing by five points. However, the results from this round have shifted the dynamics significantly, putting Sambudla ahead with a 21-point lead.
The results from the three races are as follows:
F4 India Race 1 results:
1. Luviwe Sambudla (Goa Aces JA Racing)
2. Ntiyiso Mabunda (Speed Demons Delhi)
3. Aryan Narola (Goa Aces JA Racing)
F4 India Race 2 results:
1. Luviwe Sambudla (Goa Aces JA Racing)
2. Ntiyiso Mabunda (Speed Demons Delhi)
3. Aris Kyriakou (Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru)
F4 India Race 3 results:
1. Aaron Mehta (Kolkata Royal Tigers)
2. Ntiyiso Mabunda (Speed Demons Delhi)
3. Luviwe Sambudla (Goa Aces JA Racing)
Source: Autocar India
