From Japan to Coimbatore: Itsuki Sato’s dream debut lights up Round 3 of Indian Racing Festival

Japan’s Itsuki Sato won the first race of the Formula 4 Indian Championship on Saturday, October 4. The race was part of Round 3 of the Indian Racing Festival (IRF) 2025, held at the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Sato took a total time of 27:10.989 to complete 24 laps.

It was Sato’s first race in India, and he made a great start by taking a clear win for the Ahmedabad Apex Racers. He finished more than 20 seconds ahead of the next two drivers. Mozambique’s Ghazi Motlekar, driving for Kolkata Royal Tigers, came second, and India’s Saishiva Sankaran from Speed Demons Delhi finished third.

“This was difficult for me, more challenging than the Japanese surface because of less grip. I am delighted to win a race here on my debut. I am happy with how the car performed,” Sato told Firstpost after winning the race.

When asked if he would join the final two rounds of the championship, Sato said he wasn’t sure. “I am here for this weekend only. I am not sure if I will take part in the upcoming races in India,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mehul Agarwal of Dark Don Racing took pole position in LGB F4 Race 1, a 15-lap event with all Indian drivers, which was held in the morning. Dhruv Goswami (MSport) and Aditya Patnaik (Dark Don Racing) took second and third place, respectively.

“I am driving for the best team in India, so it’s pretty much given that it’s the best car. I am just doing justice to the car,” Mehul told us after his victory.

“It’s been amazing working with my team. It’s been almost 13 years of domination with this team, so hopefully we will win another championship this year,” Mehul said about his team.

“Get up in the morning, have some fruits, pray to god, hug my dad, and come and drive fast,” Mehul said when asked about his race day routine.

India’s Kyle Kumaran from Kichcha’s Kings Bangalore took first place in Race 1 of the Indian Racing League (IRL). Kumaran completed 22 laps in a total time of 26 minutes and 34.556 seconds. He held off a strong challenge from Akhil Rabindra of Black Birds Hyderabad, who finished second just 2.299 seconds behind.

Swiss driver Neel Jani, representing Kichcha’s Kings Bangalore, came third with a total time of 26:36.934.

The next two rounds of the Indian Racing Festival will take place on the street circuits of Goa and Mumbai. It will be the first time in India that fans can see full street races on public roads, so a bigger crowd is expected there.

The Coimbatore event was rather full of media persons, officials, and participants, with fans hardly seen watching the race live on the track. Before the upcoming rounds, another day of Round 3 will be held at Kari Motor Speedway on Sunday, October 5.