Indian teen Dion Gowda hopes to climb the Formula Racing ladder

Indian teen Dion Gowda hopes to climb the Formula Racing ladder

At 17, Dion Gowda is keen to set new benchmarks in the world of Formula racing as he gears up for the 2025 Formula Regional European Championship, with team Van Amersfoort Racing, which runs from April to October featuring 10 races across Europe.

Currently in the city for events organized by his sponsor, the Sreenidhi Group of Educational Institutions, Dion shared his thoughts in an exclusive chat with Sportstar on Saturday.

“It’s been a successful journey so far. There’s still a long way to go, but it has been very positive. I’ve learned a lot and have had an amazing team to work with,” Dion said.

Reflecting on the highpoints of his career so far, Dion said getting a maiden win in his debut season in 2023 British F4 was pivotal. “It boosted my confidence significantly and validated the hard work and support of my team. That breakthrough set the stage for greater achievements,” he said.

“I’m moving up from F4 to Formula Regional European, which is a step up. After that, the goal is F3, which I hope to compete in by 2026,” he said on his progress.

“This sport comes with many challenges—there are more lows than highs at times. Consistency is crucial in a championship like this. It’s about minimizing the lows and maximizing the highs. You can’t afford to go racing without scoring points,” he said.

For Dion, the next major championship begins in Italy in April, with a total of 10 rounds ending in October. And he will have support during the tournament as well. “The races take place across Europe, and being based in London with my family makes it easier to travel to the circuits,” Dion said.

On his approach to racing, Dion said that in past championships, they had shown great speed and achieved wins with good success. “However, consistency throughout the championship is something I need to focus on. It’s not always about winning every race but collecting as many points as possible,” he said.

“In motorsport, like in any discipline, you’re always learning. Even in F1, drivers are constantly learning. We’ve had some excellent pre-season practice, and it’s about managing the lows and turning them into opportunities to improve,” Dion said.

Just like any another young driver, Dion too wishes to climb up the Formula Racing ladder. “Performances on the track are everything. Without strong results, you can’t move up. Fortunately, I’ve done well enough in F4 to progress, and I’m confident I can perform well in Formula Regional European, F3, and eventually F2. My ultimate goal is F1, and I believe I can get there,” he said.

“As proud sponsors of Dion Gowda, we see his journey as a testament to what young talent can achieve with the right support and determination,” said Dr. K.T. Mahhe, Chairman of Sreenidhi Group. “We are passionate about nurturing youth talent across disciplines, and today’s event beautifully showcased the synergy between motorsport and football. Dion’s presence inspires not only the football players but also countless young people to aim higher in their pursuits,” Mahhe said.

“This partnership with Sreenidhi has been a great support for me over the last couple of years. They not only help me financially but also support young talent. It’s a long-term relationship, not just a one-year deal, which is critical as I aim for F3 and F2,” Dion added.