Niharika Ghorpade: India’s Voice in UAE F1
Abu Dhabi has become the stage where India’s only full-time Formula One journalist, Niharika Ghorpade, continues to make her mark. For her, the UAE isn’t just another stop on the global racing calendar — it’s where her journey as an internationally recognised F1 storyteller shines the brightest.
Her love for motorsport began years ago in India, when her father, an avid Formula One follower, first took her to a karting track. That early spark eventually led her to the UAE’s iconic Yas Marina Circuit, where she has just completed her 11th season as an accredited writer at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Coming from Kolhapur in Maharashtra and navigating a male-dominated sports media landscape, Niharika has emerged as a powerful voice in a sport that has a huge and growing fanbase in the UAE. The country’s world-class racing infrastructure and its role as the season finale venue have played a major role in shaping her career.
“In India, the gender dynamic can be tricky. You have to constantly prove your credibility,” she says. Yet year after year, she returns to the UAE — a place she calls one of the most important destinations in the F1 calendar — to cover the season’s biggest weekend alongside global media giants.
But the journey isn’t without its challenges. With an Indian passport, she faces visa hurdles as she travels through the 24-race season across continents. High travel expenses and the struggle for publication support add to the pressure. “It’s a very British-dominated sport. You’re always rebuilding relationships, and Indian publications are less known globally,” she explains.
Despite this, Niharika continues to excel — and the UAE remains central to her story. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has become the backdrop where her persistence, professionalism, and passion are recognised year after year.
Her biggest supporter is her father, Karnsingh Ghorpade, whose enthusiasm for motorsport created a unique father-daughter bond. “Most families gossip,” she laughs. “We talk engines and strategy. That’s normal in our home.”
From a small town in India to the glamour of the UAE’s F1 paddock, Niharika Ghorpade has become a symbol of determination — and the powerful Indian presence at one of the UAE’s most prestigious sporting events.
