Salva Marjan Set to Be Kerala's First Female Formula 1 Driver

Salva Marjan Set to Be Keralas First Female Formula 1 Driver

Almost ten years ago, a schoolgirl from Perambra in rural Kozhikode was captivated by racing legends like Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, often getting goosebumps watching videos of rally driver Ken Block. She was determined to experience that thrill herself and began training for it. Now, in January 2025, that same girl might become the first woman from Kerala to take part in the Formula 1 Academy organized by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).

At 25, Salva Marjan embarked on her formula racing journey with Formula LGB in India. She competed in the F4 Indian Championship and the F4 UAE Championship in 2023, completing 150 laps and successfully finishing 119 of them. Although she only began her racing career in 2018, her passion quickly made up for her lack of experience, earning her a spot among the top drivers in the F4 circuit in India. Recently, she relocated to the United Arab Emirates for improved training and opportunities, and is now gearing up for the F1 Academy.

Salva is a self-made racer who faced financial hurdles in pursuing her dream due to the high cost of F4 training. A graduate in business management, she took on various jobs and even became an entrepreneur to save enough money to support her training.

"My parents didn't even know I was training until I showed them videos of me racing," Salva recalls.

Her family, including her father Chembra Panachingal Kunjamu, mother Subaida, and siblings Sahla, Sinan, and Sabith, has always been supportive. However, her parents faced criticism for allowing her to pursue her dreams. "They were told how to raise girls, that girls shouldn't take such risks or be so independent. But my parents never treated us differently based on gender, and they never set any limits for me," Salva says.

She notes that women have to put in twice the effort to excel in motorsports compared to men. "Our body types, functions, and energy levels differ, which impacts endurance. Inside a racing car, the temperature often reaches 40°C, and the braking pressure needed in curves is between 60 to 100 kg. A racer can lose around 4 kg of body weight during a race," she explains. "A racer needs the same physical fitness as a fighter pilot, including quick reflexes," she adds.

Salva has faced numerous challenges since she began racing. "I've experienced some rough spins and a few crashes, and I've performed poorly in several races. There were times I considered quitting, but my passion kept me going. I learned from each experience and made improvements," she reflects.

As the brand ambassador for Next Level Racing, which helps cover part of her training costs, Salva is optimistic about her future. "If I succeed in the F1 Academy, I won’t have to worry about sponsorships, as the FIA has policies in place to support female racers," she says, expressing her ambition to represent India in Formula 1.