How often do you witness a storyteller becoming the story itself? It’s as uncommon as finding a globetrotting Formula One journalist from a cricket-crazy South Asian nation at the expansive media center of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
If that journalist is a woman, the intrigue only deepens.
For Niharika Ghorpade, motorsport was a love discovered early, kindled by her father, a Formula One aficionado, who introduced her to karting years ago.
Although hailing from a family passionate about cars, Ghorpade didn’t initially pursue a motorsport career. Her younger brother, Parth Ghorpade, did, becoming a five-time national champion in India and the first Indian to test at the Ferrari Driver Academy.
However, Ghorpade has since become India’s sole full-time F1 journalist, recently completing her 11th season as an accredited writer at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Originating from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Ghorpade has forged her own path, overcoming the male-dominated Indian sports media landscape to write about F1 cars and captivating races worldwide.
“In India, the gender dynamics can be quite complex. We are still a heavily patriarchal society. You must constantly prove your credibility and work tirelessly towards it,” Ghorpade reflected on her arduous journey.
Despite establishing herself as a significant voice from India, she continues to face yearly challenges during the 24-race F1 season, which spans Asia, Europe, Australia, and the Americas.
“My Indian passport is a disadvantage; we require visas for most countries, unlike my colleagues in the media center,” she stated candidly.
“Additionally, the Forex is always against us. Logistically, it’s costly, making it a challenge to convince publications to cover expenses, which is a struggle.
“Moreover, it’s a predominantly British sport. PRs frequently change, necessitating the constant rebuilding of relationships within each team, and Indian publications are less recognized compared to the standard ones in this sport.
“So yes, it’s a very challenging field, and I faced two choices — either let the obstacles overwhelm me or strive to survive and succeed. Now, being the only Indian journalist — male or female — covering the full F1 season is my greatest identity.”
Her father, Karnsingh Ghorpade, beams with pride as he watches her cover F1 races and interview champions like Max Verstappen.
“He’s 71 now, but we still sit and talk motorsport, a father-daughter tradition in our family,” she shared.
“Ours is an unusual household. While most families gossip at gatherings, we discuss engines and strategies,” she laughed.
“It’s quite normal for us. He’s proud of how far I’ve come in my F1 journalism journey.”
