India’s rising motorsport star, Aarav Dewan, is already turning heads on the international stage at just 15. From karting circuits to the classroom, his blend of focus and fearlessness is proving that age is no barrier to ambition.
In this exclusive, News9’s Kabir Naqvi sits down with the young speedster — fresh from a silver at the FIA Asia-Pacific Championship — to chart the early mornings, the split-second decisions and the big dreams that could one day lead to Formula 1. The conversation packs in training, school, that podium moment and what comes next for India’s newest racing prospect, and a lot more.
News9 exclusive interview with young racing prodigy Aarav Dewan
News9: Aarav, first and foremost, many thanks for joining us, and huge congratulations on your silver medal. What did it feel like crossing that finish line, especially in those last few corners?
Aarav Dewan: Thank you. It felt amazing to get second place, not just for myself but for the whole country. Talking about the last lap, I was under a lot of pressure from my teammate. He’s a very quick driver, and if the race had gone on a few laps longer, I’d have had quite a challenge on my hands.
News9: What were those last laps like? Were there straights, tricky corners?
Aarav: The track was very tricky. There wasn’t a single easy corner. I was under pressure right till the end.
News9: How much did you practise for this? I remember in the film ‘Rush’, James Hunt would close his eyes and visualise the track. Did you do something like that? Could you drive it with your eyes closed?
Aarav: We didn’t actually get much practice. There were issues with customs, so many teams didn’t receive their parts until Friday. We only got one day of practice before the race. And for me, it was a completely new engine and chassis, so I had to learn both — that and the track — in just one day. It was quite the challenge at 15.
News9: At such a young age, to grasp the dynamics of the chassis, downforce, and build quality — that’s huge. Many kids your age are doing the same, but on a PlayStation.
Aarav: I don’t build the kart myself, but I do help with setup along with my mechanic. Talking to your team, coach, and mechanic is very important. You have to constantly give feedback to extract those extra tenths of a second.
News9: Right, even at the top level, it’s all about that tenth of a second. So tell me, what kind of mental preparation goes into all this?
Aarav: I do both mental and physical exercises — reflex drills with lights and tennis balls, like you’ve seen F1 drivers do. A lot of brain-kinetic work too — training the body to respond instantly to what the brain wants.
News9: Let’s go back a bit. How did you start racing? Where did the love come from?
Aarav: I went to my local karting track in Gurgaon for my 11th or 12th birthday. It was just a fun birthday party, but I turned out faster than everyone else. That’s when I realised I enjoyed it and was actually good at it.
News9: So, you were 11 or 12 when you started properly, and now at 15 you’ve converted a hobby into a medal for the country. That’s quite something. But motorsport isn’t talked about much in India. Does that bother you?
Aarav: It doesn’t anger me, but it does sadden me. A lot of talented drivers go unrecognised here. Motorsport is the most expensive sport in the world, and without backing from big companies, good talent often fades away.
News9: That’s true. Financially, it’s a tough career path. Do your parents counsel you about that?
Aarav: Yes, they’re very realistic and open about it. They remind me that every race is a gamble — it’s expensive and takes sacrifice. And I still have to balance school life, so it can get complicated.
News9: Sounds like quite a load on young shoulders. Speaking of school, what’s life like there now that you’re wearing the Team India jersey?
Aarav: Some of my friends understand racing; most don’t. It’s not an easy sport to grasp. But they’re all very supportive.
News9: Are you more focused on racing or studies? Be honest — your dad’s watching!
Aarav: Definitely racing. I try to keep up with schoolwork and prepare for exams, but my main focus is on racing.
News9: Fair enough. You want that F1 grid spot eventually?
Aarav: Yes, that’s the dream. I don’t look too far ahead, though. My next target is to be in a Formula 4 car by next year.
News9: Fantastic. Tell us about the Asia-Pacific Championship. Was the competition tough?
Aarav: Very. It was held in Sri Lanka, and the local drivers were extremely quick. It was their home track, but they were even better than I expected. It was great to race against such strong competition from all over Asia.
News9: And Indian talent?
Aarav: It’s improving fast. The top ten are very good. Motorsport is growing exponentially here — every year it gets better.
News9: Netflix’s ‘Drive to Survive’ has helped people understand the sport better. Have you seen it?
Aarav: Not yet. But I’ve seen ‘Gran Turismo’. It had some fiction mixed in, but it’s still about racing, so I liked it.
News9: What about classics like ‘Rush’ or ‘Need for Speed’?
Aarav: Haven’t seen them, but I used to play the F1 games on my PlayStation — that’s actually how I learnt about the drivers and teams.
News9: Do you follow F1 now?
Aarav: Yes. I’m a huge Red Bull fan, mostly because of Max Verstappen.
News9: I thought you might say Sebastian Vettel.
Aarav: I love Vettel too. Such a complete driver — one of the greats.
News9: And what about the new generation — Piastri, Bearman, Hadjar, Antonelli?
Aarav: Their rise has been incredible. They’ve all moved up levels so quickly. It’s inspiring to see. They’ve set the bar really high for us younger racers.
News9: You started at 11 or 12, whereas some started practically as toddlers. Did that ever make you doubt yourself?
Aarav: Initially, yes. I used to think I’d started too late. But I’ve improved so much in three years that I don’t worry about it anymore.
News9: Walk us through a regular day.
Aarav: When I’m home, I don’t practise on track. I go to school, come back, rest, then hit the gym. I do core and neck exercises and reaction drills. It’s mostly about building strength and consistency.
News9: Do you follow F1 drivers’ training routines?
Aarav: Not directly, but my trainer has a proper regimen for me — when to work out, when to rest. What F1 drivers do, I do at a smaller scale.
News9: Tell us about your coaches. What’s their role in karting?
Aarav: My coaches help me both mentally and physically. They identify mistakes in my driving. I’ve had a few coaches, and I tend to overdrive, too harsh on the tyres. That’s something I’m working on.
News9: There are no pit stops in karting, right?
Aarav: No, none. The tyres keep degrading throughout the race. There’s no downforce either — it’s all mechanical grip.
News9: What’s the top speed?
Aarav: Around 110 to 120 km/h, sometimes 130 on certain tracks. The karts are very light, with no suspension, so you really feel the speed out of corners.
News9: Let’s do a quick rapid fire. Ready? Hamilton or Verstappen?
Aarav: Verstappen.
News9: Ferrari or Red Bull?
Aarav: Red Bull.
News9: Monaco or Baku?
Aarav: Baku. Monaco is boring — there’s no overtaking.
News9: Wet race or night race?
Aarav: Wet race. It’s riskier and more fun.
News9: Favourite motorsport movie?
Aarav: ‘Cars’
News9: Go-to pre-race song?
Aarav: I don’t have one specific song, but I listen to a lot of rap, mostly Travis Scott.
News9: If you weren’t racing, what would you be doing?
Aarav: Probably football, maybe cricket. But honestly, I can’t imagine doing anything other than racing.
News9: Finally, what’s your message to kids dreaming of motorsport but hesitant to start?
Aarav: Just go drive. It never hurts to try. If you love it, keep going back. Improvement will follow.
News9: Where’s your next race?
Aarav: This weekend, in Al Ain, UAE.
News9: All the best for that. Once again, congratulations on your silver at the FIA Asia-Pacific Championship. We wish you all the very best and hope to see you soon in a Formula 4 car — and one day, on the F1 grid. Many thanks for taking the time, Aarav.