Narola clinches F4 double, Alva wins IRL race as Indian Racing Festival ends at BIC
Synopsis
Aryan Narola swept both F4 Indian Championship races at the Buddh International Circuit, while Ruhaan Alva took the IRL race after a rival's car failure — making Narola the undisputed star of the Indian Racing Festival's BIC leg and a serious title contender heading into the next round.
Key Takeaways
Aryan Narola of Goa Aces JA Racing won both F4 Indian Championship races on 1 November at BIC, Greater Noida .
Ruhaan Alva of Kichcha's Kings Bengaluru won the second IRL race after leader Shane Chanderia retired with car trouble.
Raoul Hyman (Goa Aces JA Racing) won the first IRL race on Saturday, clocking 27:40.759 .
South African Ntiyiso Mabunda won Saturday's F4 race and finished third in both Sunday F4 races.
The two-day Indian Racing Festival featured three races on the final day and three on the opening day.
Aryan Narola of Goa Aces JA Racing swept both F4 Indian Championship races on 1 November 2026, while Ruhaan Alva of Kichcha's Kings Bengaluru claimed the second Indian Racing League (IRL) race as the Indian Racing Festival wrapped up its two-day leg at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida. The event, staged across 31 October and 1 November, delivered three races on the final day following an action-filled opening.
Narola's Dominant F4 Double
In the first F4 race on Sunday, Swarnav Das grabbed an early lead before Narola moved through on lap two to take control. South African Luviwe Sambudla, also of Goa Aces JA Racing, mounted a strong challenge and passed Das to pressurise the leader — but engine failure ended Sambudla's race with a couple of laps remaining. Narola held on to win, with Aris Kyriakou finishing second and South African Ntiyiso Mabunda of Speed Demons Delhi taking third.
Narola carried that momentum into the second F4 race, leading from lights to flag. Arjun Chheda pushed him hard for top spot, while Mabunda again featured in the battle. Narola kept his composure to complete the double, with Chheda second and Mabunda third — the same South African racer who had won the opening F4 race on Saturday.
Alva Capitalises in Dramatic IRL Race
Shane Chanderia initially moved ahead of Alva and led for several laps before car trouble forced him to retire, handing Alva the opportunity he needed. Mohamed Ryan of Hyderabad Blackbirds finished second, while Malaysian driver Alister Yoong of Speed Demons Delhi secured third to round out the podium.
Saturday's Results: Hyman and Mabunda Star
On the opening day, British driver Raoul Hyman of Goa Aces JA Racing dominated the first IRL race, clocking 27 minutes 40.759 seconds to take the chequered flag. He initially trailed Emil Heyerdahl of Kichcha's Kings Bengaluru before overtaking him and pulling clear. Sai Shiva Sankaran of Kolkata Royal Tigers finished second in 27:55.806, narrowly ahead of teammate Jemma Moore in 27:56.070.
Mabunda opened his account in the Saturday F4 race, winning in 32:46.842 after a tense contest with compatriot Sambudla. Narola, who had started third on the grid, initially led before Mabunda fought back to reclaim the top spot — setting the stage for Narola's commanding response on Sunday.
What the BIC Leg Means for the Championship
Narola's double at BIC marks him as the standout performer of this festival leg and will significantly bolster his F4 Indian Championship standings. The Buddh International Circuit, one of India's premier motorsport venues, provided a high-speed backdrop that rewarded consistency under pressure. The Indian Racing Festival's next round is expected to build further on the competitive narratives established this weekend, with Mabunda, Hyman, and Alva all showing the form to remain title contenders.
Point of View
But the race retirements — Sambudla's engine failure in race one, Chanderia's car trouble in the IRL — raise questions about mechanical reliability across teams. The Indian Racing Festival format, compressing three races into a single day, rewards consistency over one-off pace, which is precisely why Narola's composure under sustained pressure from Chheda and Mabunda matters. Whether this weekend marks a turning point in the title race, or merely a high-water mark for one driver, will depend on whether the championship's next leg delivers the same multi-team competitiveness that made BIC compelling.
NationPress
1 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the F4 Indian Championship races at the Indian Racing Festival BIC leg?
Aryan Narola of Goa Aces JA Racing won both F4 Indian Championship races held on 1 November at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida. Arjun Chheda finished second and Ntiyiso Mabunda third in the final F4 race.
Who won the Indian Racing League race at BIC on Sunday?
Ruhaan Alva of Kichcha's Kings Bengaluru won the second IRL race at BIC on 1 November. Mohamed Ryan of Hyderabad Blackbirds finished second and Malaysian driver Alister Yoong of Speed Demons Delhi was third.
What happened to Shane Chanderia in the IRL race?
Shane Chanderia led the second IRL race for several laps but was forced to retire after his car developed trouble, allowing Ruhaan Alva to take the lead and go on to win.
Who won on the first day of the Indian Racing Festival at BIC?
British driver Raoul Hyman of Goa Aces JA Racing won the opening IRL race on Saturday with a time of 27:40.759, while South African Ntiyiso Mabunda won the first F4 race in 32:46.842.
Where was the Indian Racing Festival BIC leg held?
The Indian Racing Festival's BIC leg was held at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida on 31 October and 1 November, featuring races from both the F4 Indian Championship and the Indian Racing League.
