Navi Mumbai Gears Up for Maharashtra’s First FIA Grade Street Race

Indian motorsport fans are in for a treat this December as Navi Mumbai prepares to host its first-ever Indian Racing Festival (IRF) event, in the city’s very own FIA-grade street racing circuit. The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has partnered with Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd (RPPL) to bring this ambitious project to life. This comes after the IRF’s previous street races in Hyderabad and Chennai, with plans in place to race in Goa as well. 

This event will mark Maharashtra’s entry into world-class street racing, promising an exciting spectacle for both dedicated motorsport enthusiasts and casual viewers seeking a unique entertainment experience.

Also Read- All you need to know about Bren Raceway
 

Location and Timing

The race will take place on the city roads of Navi Mumbai, with the track running along Palm Beach Road and past Nerul Lake. Scheduled for December 2025, the street race will be the finale of the IRF, which has quickly become India’s premier motorsport event. 

Unlike traditional day events, the Navi Mumbai circuit will be completely floodlit to create a stunning night-time racing atmosphere, mirroring popular F1 street races like Singapore and Monaco, giving Indian motorsport a glamorous international feel. The night setting could make for thrilling visuals and an electric atmosphere for spectators.

Circuit Layout and Features

The street circuit measures around 3.753 kilometres in length and features 14 corners laid out in an anti-clockwise direction. Its mix of scenic stretches, wide boulevards, and tight technical sections is designed to challenge drivers while offering plenty of overtaking opportunities. Using existing city roads means fans will be able to watch high-speed action in familiar surroundings, adding to the event’s appeal.

What are the Indian Racing League and F4 Championships?

The Navi Mumbai race weekend will feature both the Indian Racing League and F4 Indian Championship competitions in a double-header format. This combination will allow fans to enjoy two distinct racing styles - the fast-paced, spectator-friendly Indian Racing League and the more technical, driver development-oriented F4IC. Spectators can witness talented drivers from India and abroad, celebrity team owners, and experience a festival-like atmosphere.

The Indian Racing League (IRL) and the FIA Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC) are two different racing series under the IRF umbrella, each using different kinds of cars and serving somewhat different goals.

The FIA Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC) is the junior single-seater series backed by the FIA. It serves as a development ladder for young drivers who aim to climb up the motorsport ladder toward higher formula categories and achieve their ultimate dream of driving in F1. It uses second-generation Mygale M21-F4 single-seater cars. These are FIA spec cars also used in other countries’ F4 series. The engines are supplied by Alpine and prepared by Oreca, producing around 160-180 horsepower as per the FIA’s technical and power-weight formula. The cars are Halo-equipped to ensure driver safety in case of any crashes.

The Indian Racing League is part of the Indian Racing Festival. It is a franchise-based, gender-neutral competition that features Indian and international drivers. Its format is designed to emphasize entertainment, close competition, and local engagement. It uses the Wolf GB08 Thunder single-seater sports prototype race cars developed by Wolf Racing, powered by a 1000 cc Aprilia RSV4 engine producing roughly 216-220 bhp, weighing around 370-380 kg. Top speeds go up to 240-260 km/h, depending on the specific track and car setup. 

The key differences are that F4IC cars are more junior single-seater machinery, with lower power, more standardized, and focused on developing young drivers for higher racing series. Indian Racing League cars are more powerful and built for faster speeds, delivering more aggressive dynamic performance.

Celebrity team owners in the Indian Racing League

One of the features that has made the IRL especially popular is its roster of famous Indian personalities who own teams. These include John Abraham (Owner of Goa Aces) and Sourav Ganguly (Owner of Kolkata Royal Tigers), among many others.

The involvement of these celebrities adds visibility, attracting a higher audience and helping promote motorsport beyond its traditional base of fans.

What other FIA-certified circuits are there in India, especially in Maharashtra?

India hosts several FIA-certified circuits, each graded for national and international racing. Key examples include:

• Buddh International Circuit (Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh): FIA Grade 1, previously hosted Formula 1.
  
   
• Madras International Circuit (Chennai, Tamil Nadu): FIA Grade 2, hosts Formula 4 and other championships.
  
   
• Coimbatore Racing Circuit (Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu): FIA-certified for national events, including the Indian Racing Festival.
  
   
• Kari Motor Speedway (Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu): CIK-FIA Grade 1 for karting, main track suitable for up to Formula 3.
  
   
• Bren Raceway- Backed by real estate king and supercar collector Boopesh Reddy it will be ready by next year. 
  
   

In Maharashtra, there are no fully operational permanent FIA-certified circuits yet. Nanoli Speedway near Pune received FIA accreditation in 2020 for its 2.9 km track but is still under development. Once completed, the Navi Mumbai Street Circuit will be Maharashtra’s first FIA-certified track.

When will the Navi Mumbai circuit be ready?

As a temporary street circuit, the track will be fully prepared and FIA-certified by early December 2025. Since it uses existing roads like Palm Beach Road and areas near Nerul Lake, "completion" mainly involves installing safety barriers, signage, lighting for night racing, and other FIA requirements rather than full-scale construction.

How much will the Navi Mumbai circuit cost?

Exact figures have not been disclosed. Costs for a temporary street circuit of 3.753 km with 14 turns typically include road modifications, barriers, lighting, and FIA homologation. Based on similar Indian street events, this could range between ₹20–30 crore. Official confirmation would come from Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd. (RPPL) or Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC).

Will homes be demolished for the circuit?

No. The layout uses existing public roads, with no permanent land acquisition or demolition. Adjustments are temporary, such as signage, barriers, and lighting.

When will the race happen?

The event is planned as the grand finale of the Indian Racing Festival (IRF) in December 2025. Exact weekend dates are yet to be announced. It will be a night race featuring the Indian Racing League (IRL) and the Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC).

What is the layout and length of the Navi Mumbai Street Circuit?

The circuit is 3.753 km long, runs anti-clockwise, and has 14 challenging turns. It starts at Palm Beach Road, passes through wide city boulevards, and showcases scenic areas near Nerul Lake, offering a mix of precision driving and impressive spectator views.

What races will take place on this circuit?

The weekend will feature a night-time double-header: the Indian Racing League (IRL), India’s gender-neutral four-wheel championship, and the FIA-certified Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC), giving young drivers the opportunity to earn Super Licence points.