Conversations with Kavyaa Jagtap: her past, present, and future.

Earlier this June, I had the pleasure of getting to speak with Kavyaa Jagtap, a karter with dreams of making it big in the world of motorsport. This British racer is on her way to making waves—and a name for herself.

“My passion came from my brother and my sister,” Jagtap answered when asked about how she got into Formula 1. “They started watching it in 2021, and I started watching it with them in 2022, so it is a bit recent …I got very excited about it and I wanted to get into it and learn more about it because I thought it was pretty cool.”

At just 15-years-old, Jagtap already knows who she wants to be. Though still in school, every spare moment is dedicated to achieving her dream. “I usually go karting three times a week for practice and just to kind of relax my head after big exams,” she said. “After school, around 4pm, I get ready; I go straight to the track, and then I just pretty much do that! Whenever I'm not at the track, I’m usually at the gym training.”

After speaking to Jagtap firsthand, her confidence and passion when speaking about motorsport is something unmatched. She, like most drivers, attempted almost all of the sports out there, but karting was the one that stood out to her instantly. The first time in a kart seat sealed it for her; there was not an inch of doubt about what she wanted to do in the future. “The feeling was amazing; the adrenaline was just something I was living for.” 

“Nothing made me feel like karting did.”

Courtesy of Kavyaa Jagtap

Japtag is based in Abu Dhabi and drives on the Al Forsan International Kart Circuit, just 25 minutes from the prestigious Yas Marina Circuit, on which so many sporting champions have been crowned. Living in Abu Dhabi is understandably a major contributor to her passion, and with thousands of fans flocking there to watch what is often the finale of each F1 season, it’s hard not to take inspiration from that. 

Idols and inspirations often help drive people to accomplish ambitions. For Jagtap, that person is Lewis Hamilton. “When I [first started watching], he was someone who I realised cares a lot about the sport. He is very determined and inspiring towards his supporters; he’s my favourite.”

Hamilton is one of F1 and motorsport's greats. A kind heart, a champion inside and out, and a great supporter of women in motorsport—including F1 Academy. For most female drivers, competing in the championship would be a dream come true to get their name out there, as well as to gain more experience in single-seaters. 

Stigma surrounding women in motorsport is still a major issue, and current reform is only just beginning. Jagtap has had firsthand experiences of the gender inequality. “[At first], when I began karting, I barely saw any girls. It was pretty much only me that was on the track with the guys; it was [definitely a strange] experience. But when I started getting into it properly, I did notice there were a lot of females that were joining me as well. I’ve made so many female friends through this sport, which is amazing! It is [a small population right now], but I think we can definitely grow. And it will happen, definitely, no doubt.”

“It’s very important that we all support eachother.”

Being role models to younger girls who are currently in her position is also something very important to Jagtap; the lack of female representation as drivers in motorsport – especially F1 – can often be difficult or demotivating. “In the future, I would like to get to F1 and be one of those female drivers that are at the top.” She added, “Everyone looking up at you like, ‘wow, she can do this and she's in a male-dominated sport.’ I want people to know that women can do things as well; it’s not only men who can do it.”

Jagtap’s dream doesn’t end with driving. When asked about where she sees herself in a decade from now, her answer was a confident one. “I’d definitely want to be in F1. If not, then hopefully something to do with cars. I mean, I want to be a motorsport engineer; that’s what I want to study, so I think that can take me somewhere in the future.”

Whether she ends up behind the wheel or behind the scenes, Kavyaa Jagtap has more passion for racing than most could dream of—and is only just getting started.

“If you put your mind to it, you can definitely do it.”

Courtesy of Kavyaa Jagtap

Cover photo: courtesy of Kavyaa Jagtap