Chennai, 24 Oct 2026: The Madras International Circuit in Chennai witnessed thrilling wheel-to-wheel battles, dramatic recoveries and a historic breakthrough as Round 3 of the F4 Indian Championship, part of the Indian Racing Festival 2026, delivered three action-packed races on October 22 and 23. Goa Aces JA Racing’s Luviwe Sambudla emerged as the week end’s standout perfor mer, claiming two victories and a third-place finish to take the championship lead, while 15-year-old Aaron Mehta of Kolkata Royal Tigers made history by becoming the youngest race winner in the championship ’s history.
Sambudla turned a five-point deficit into a 21-point championship advantage, moving to 138 points ahead of Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru’s Aris Kyriakou on 117. Across the 3.717-kilometre circuit, Sambudla showcased exceptional pace and racecraft, winning the opening two races from sixth on the grid before completing his week end on the podium. Speed Demons Delhi’s Ntiyiso Mabunda was equally impressive, finishing second in all three races, while Mehta delivered a composed performance under pressure to secure his maiden victory in the final race.
The 16-driver field, representing eight franchise teams, arrived in Chennai with Kyriakou leading the standings after a consistent run of podium finishes. However, challenging wet-weather conditions and fiercely contested battles quickly changed the complexion of the title fight. The opening race saw Kyriakou take the early lead, with Mehta initially keeping pace and Sambudla making up two places on the opening lap. As the wet conditions tested the field, Sambudla worked his way past Mehta for second before capitalising on a loss of rear grip from Kyriakou on lap nine to seize the lead.