Indian F4: Annabel Kennedy claims first podium, Clara Stiebleichinger scores top 5 at Madras
- RACERS
- Aug 27
- 6 min read
Australia’s Annabel Kennedy became the first woman to step on the Indian F4 podium, while Clara Stiebleichinger secured her first top-five finish and Kareen Kaur continued to gain valuable experience despite technical setbacks, in an overall very positive weekend for the three female rookies.
The second round of the 2025 Indian F4 Championship saw the first female podium in the series' history, as Australia's Annabel Kennedy secured third place in Race 1, making significant progress from her debut. Also on her single-seater debut and at the start of her motor racing journey, Clara Stiebleichinger continued to impress, the Austrian securing a top-five finish and consistently battling at the front of the field. Singaporean Kareen Kaur faced some technical issues but continued to collect valuable mileage and learning experience.
The third Indian F4 Championship season began with three new female drivers making their single-seater debuts: Austria’s Clara Stiebleichinger, Australia’s Annabel Kennedy, and Singapore’s Kareen Kaur. Their arrival continues a tradition of female participation in the Indian series, which in past years has launched the careers of drivers such as Aiva Anagnostiadis and Alba Hurup Larsen, both now competing in F1 Academy.
At the season opener at Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore, all three showcased promising speed, each scoring their first top-ten finishes, with Stiebleichinger delivering a standout performance by taking sixth in Race 2. Just one week after the season opener, the drivers returned to the track at Madras International Circuit in Chennai.
The first practice session was strong for Annabel Kennedy, who remained in the top ten throughout and posted a final lap of 1:43.336 to take P5. Clara Stiebleichinger also stayed in the top ten with a 1:44.377, while Kareen Kaur ended the session in P12 with a lap of 1:47.452.
Qualifying followed, and Stiebleichinger posted a 1:41.9 to take seventh, Kennedy set 1:42.6 to end P11, and Kaur set 1:44.599 to qualify P13. In Q2, Stiebleichinger initially moved up to sixth as times dropped, Kennedy matched her Q1 best of 1:42.6, and the Austrian ultimately ended eighth fastest, Kennedy tenth, and Kaur P13.
Several grid penalties for the opening race reshuffled the lineup, with Clara Stiebleichinger lining up P5, Annabel Kennedy P9, and Kareen Kaur P11. At lights out, pole sitter Ishaan Madesh retained the top spot after Shandaria received a grid penalty. Sachel Rotge was second, and Wian Boshoff slotting into third.
Stiebleichinger had a difficult getaway, falling to P8 and defending from Sankaran, who overtook her on the second lap. Kennedy remained in P10, while Kaur held P12, with Zakariya Mohammed starting from the pit lane. Chandaria recovered quickly but ran into trouble and dropped back. Ghazi Motlekar moved into fourth, and Stiebleichinger recovered to seventh, running strong laps in 1:42.8. Kennedy was close behind in P9, and Kaur climbed to P11.
The safety car was deployed on lap 3 after Chandaria’s engine went up in smoke. Racing resumed at the end of lap 5, and Satge launched a strong attack on Madesh but could not pass. Stiebleichinger held seventh, Kennedy moved up into eighth, and Kaur broke into the top ten.
Ghazi Motlekar made a minor mistake and lost fourth to Mabunda. Stiebleichinger kept up the pace and pressured Sambudla, while Kennedy, a couple of tenths quicker, joined the group by lap 8, waiting for an opportunity. Kennedy eventually overtook Clara on lap 9 to take P6, with both clearing Sambudla.
At the front, Rotge challenged Madesh for the lead, while Boshoff made contact with Madesh, both cars sliding into the grass. Kennedy seized the opportunity to move up to fourth, Stiebleichinger held fifth, and Kaur climbed to eighth. Clara clocked 1:43.1, half a second faster than Kennedy, but the Australian maintained a one-second gap with four minutes remaining. Both women caught Ghazi Motlekar, chasing the final podium spot.
In the final moments, Kennedy set a 1:42.9, closing in on Motlekar, while Stiebleichinger stayed glued behind her. Kennedy could not find a gap on track and crossed the line fourth but was later promoted to third, making history as the first woman on the Indian F4 podium. Stiebleichinger also scored her first top-five finish in fourth, while Kaur crossed the line P7, her personal best of the season so far. Sachel Rotge, winner of the global shootout, claimed victory ahead of Ghazi Motlekar and Kennedy.
Race 2 used a reverse grid based on Race 1’s top six. Stiebleichinger started higher than ever, just ahead of Kennedy in fourth, and Kaur from seventh. Unfortunately, Kennedy experienced a technical issue and had to start from the pit lane. Stiebleichinger had a difficult start but quickly began recovering.
By the end of the first lap, Mothlabani led, Madesh was second, and Clara climbed to third. Motlekar was fourth, Rotge fifth. Kaur dropped to eleventh, while Kennedy, starting from the pit lane, was P13 with 14 seconds to make up.
Stiebleichinger then attempted to challenge the top two but allowed Motlekar to pass, and she defended from Rotge. Kaur moved past Boshoff into the top ten, and Kennedy steadily gained ground on the pack.
Rotge attempted an inside pass at Turn 1, causing Stiebleichinger to lose momentum and drop to sixth behind Sambudla and Mothlabani. Kennedy passed Boshoff for 12th, Kaur climbed to P11, and Madesh secured the lead. Meanwhile, Stiebleichinger reclaimed fourth from Sambudla and Mothlabani but was then hit by a competitor, spinning and falling to P11.
By lap 8, Kaur led the female drivers in P9, just ahead of Kennedy, who had caught up to the pack, with Stiebleichinger three seconds behind. Kennedy however passed Kaur into ninth and closed in on Chandaria. On the final laps, Kaur held P10, maintaining strong lap times and staying just behind Kennedy, who set a 1:42.5. Ishaan Madesh won Race 2, eleven seconds ahead of Rotge and Motlekar.
It was an unfortunate race for the female drivers, who had strong starting positions; Kennedy recovered to P8, Kaur finished P10, and Stiebleichinger P11 after being taken out while in contention for another top-five finish.
Based on the second qualifying session, Race 3 saw Stiebleichinger start P8, Kennedy P10, and Kaur P13. At lights out, Clara moved to P9, Kareen P12, and Annabel stalled at the start but managed to get underway, however now requiring a safety car to catch up.
Shane Chandaria led from Saishiva Sankaran and Ishaan Madesh. Stiebleichinger joined midfield battles, closely following Motlekar, while Kaur settled into P12. The fight for fourth involved Mohammed, Rotge, Sambudla, Boshoff, Motlekar, and Clara. The latter executed consistent 1:42s laps and pressured Motlekar, while Kaur ran her best pace in 1:44.7s.
Kennedy alone ran strong laps, 1:41.8, closing in on Kaur but still 29 seconds behind by lap 8. Chandaria pulled away to lead by eight seconds over Sankaran and Madesh. Motlekar passed Boshoff for P7, and Stiebleichinger reclaimed P8. Boshoff later retook eighth due to tyre degradation. Kennedy continued closing the gap but ran out of time to gain further positions.
Chandaria won Race 3, followed by Sankaran and Madesh. Stiebleichinger finished P9, scoring points in a top-ten battle. Kaur finished P12, and Kennedy, despite remarkable pace, was limited to P13 due to the start issue.
The final race of the weekend at Madras was a make-up for the delayed Race 1 from the previous round. Stiebleichinger started P9, Kaur P12, and Kennedy P13.
At the green flag, Sankaran made a great getaway to second, Stiebleichinger was ninth, and Kennedy passed Kaur and Madesh to P11. On lap 2, Kennedy broke into the top ten.
Madesh had meanwhile dropped back 23 seconds and Kaur, facing technical issues, went a lap down. Stiebleichinger was running in 1:44.4 pace, closely matched with Kennedy. The Australian passed Clara for P9 on lap 5, while both dipped under the 1:44s mark.
Drama unfolded as second-placed Zacharyia Mohammed went off at Turn 2 and pitted with damage, promoting Kennedy to P8 and Stiebleichinger to P9. Rotge caught race leader Sambudla, contesting the win. Kennedy set a 1:42.6, one of the fastest on track, and attempted to catch Boshoff, battling for seventh. Stiebleichinger also stayed close, significantly ahead of cars behind.
With four minutes remaining, Motlekar lost two places to Mabunda and Boshoff, bringing him into Annabel and Clara’s sights. Kennedy passed Motlekar and then Boshoff, while Stiebleichinger followed through. Rotge forced past Sambudla for the lead, with Sankaran joining the battle; Rotge ultimately held on to take the checkered flag.
Annabel Kennedy finished sixth from the back of the grid but received a post-race penalty, dropping to ninth. Clara Stiebleichinger finished P7 in another solid points-scoring performance, while Kareen Kaur finished P12.
After back-to-back rounds, the three rookies now have time to regroup and prepare for the next round at Kari Motor Speedway on October 4–5.
