In honor of International Women’s Day, Aligned Automation is thrilled to welcome Diana Pundole and explore her journey from being a teacher in Pune to becoming India’s first female national racing champion, a story of resilience, passion, and determination. In August 2024, she made history by winning the saloon category at the MRF Indian National Car Racing Championship in Chennai, proving that strength isn’t defined by gender.

Date: March 20, 2025
Location: Hyatt Residency Viman Nagar
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Guest Speaker: Diana Pundole, National Racing Champion & Trailblazer

Her racing career began unexpectedly in 2018 when she was selected from 200 women in a national talent hunt by JK Tyres. Since then, she has competed on world-class tracks like Dubai Autodrome, Hockenheimring (Germany), and Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), participating in elite competitions such as the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and Ferrari 488 Challenge.

Balancing her role as a mother of two, a professional racer, and an advocate for gender equality in sports, Diana faced skepticism and challenges. Instead of backing down, she pushed forward, training relentlessly, studying race data obsessively, and proving herself one lap at a time. Her hard work earned her multiple podium finishes, including a historic double-podium at the MRF MMSC FMSCI National Championship 2023.

This International Women’s Day, we are proud to celebrate Diana Pundole, not just for her achievements, but for the message she embodies: women belong anywhere they choose to be, on the racetrack, in the boardroom, or leading the way forward.

She didn’t wait for permission. She stepped on the gas and never looked back.

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