Breaking Barriers: An Exclusive Conversation with Arshia Akhtar – Pakistan’s First FIA-Licensed Female Formula 4 Driver

Aug 25th, 2025

I had the pleasure of speaking with Arshia Akhtar—trailblazer, doctor, and Pakistan’s first and only FIA Pro-licensed female Formula 4 driver. Born in Pakistan, raised in Saudi Arabia, and now calling Dallas home, Akhtar defies convention both on and off the track. When she’s not competing in the intensely competitive world of F4, she works full-time in cancer research, having studied medicine. Her story is one of grit, duality, and a passion for breaking boundaries.

Courtesy of Arshia Akhtar

From Video Games to Formula Cars 🎮 ➡️ 🏎️:

Akhtar’s earliest memories of motorsport didn’t come from circuits, but from screens. “My earliest memories of motorsports would honestly be in Need For Speed and karting as a kid,” she recalled. That early love of speed and adrenaline grew naturally into a pursuit of professional racing.

While many athletes point to mentors, Akhtar emphasizes self-determination. “I always say I’m perfectly capable of making those decisions by myself. I’ve always been extreme sports oriented—an adrenaline junkie. It was a matter of when, not if.”

Her family, though not immersed in motorsport culture, chose to back her with prayers and support. “They still don’t fully get it, but they’re supportive. They just ask me to be safe.”

Racing Through Dual Lives:

Unlike most professional drivers, Akhtar balances two demanding worlds. Cancer research is her full-time career, yet she has steadily climbed through motorsport’s ladder, earning her FIA license. “It wasn’t a single moment—it’s been all the little things adding up,” she explained.

Her first competitive experience left a lasting mark: “It was a freeing experience. I was able to have a calm mind and just live in the present.”

The path to FIA licensing was a meticulous one, requiring years of races across different machinery. And in a sport dominated by men, and far from Pakistan’s mainstream sporting culture, Akhtar faced another challenge: explaining what she does.

“The biggest challenge has been trying to educate people around me what formula cars are. It’s not like cricket (a more popular and widely known sport in Pakistan). Finding sponsors and support has been difficult. But it’s important for international representation, and I’ll keep pushing.”

Credit: Arshia Akhtar on Instagram

Life Inside the Helmet:

Behind the wheel, Arshia Akhtar balances precision, resilience, and the discipline of an athlete. Preparing for a Formula 4 race, she explains, is as much mental as it is physical. Reaction time drills, endurance training, and strength work for both the upper and lower body are all essential. “We experience two to three Gs on average,” she says, noting that every muscle plays a role when controlling the car at its limits.

A typical race weekend unfolds with its own rhythm. Day one is about testing and practice, ironing out the smallest details in setup and learning the limits of the car. “Day two is qualifying and a race,” Akhtar explains. “Quali is about pure speed, pushing the car as hard as possible. But the race itself is different — it’s about consistency, doing the same thing again and again perfectly, and making sure you finish strong.” Race day three often brings another chance to qualify and compete, testing both stamina and mental focus.

Road America, with its mix of long straights and unforgiving corners, has been the most challenging circuit she’s faced. One mistake in a single turn, she admits, can compromise an entire lap. Yet instead of crumbling under pressure, Akhtar reframes the intensity of competition. “It doesn’t feel like pressure,” she says.

“It just feels like the right thing to do.”

Credit: racingcircuits.info

Away from the track, preparation never stops. Hours in the simulator, gym sessions, nutrition management, and recovery routines form the backbone of her training. Just as important is avoiding burnout, something she’s mindful of while balancing her career in medicine and cancer research.

Representation, Responsibility, and Legacy:

Being Pakistan’s first female F4 driver carries weight. “I don’t want to be the only one. I want people to see this as reality, not just a dream. My goal is to light the way for the next generation.”

Representation brings both pride and responsibility. “There’s added pressure, but I enjoy it. I take pride in representing Pakistan. There is stigma, but it’s worth it.”

On advancing motorsport in Pakistan, Akhtar sees untapped potential. “The government needs to give motorsport more attention. The new generation is into it. It’s only a matter of time before it explodes.”

Her message to young girls is direct: “It can seem overwhelming, but once you’re in, everybody’s welcoming. The guidance is there. I’m here to guide too.”

Looking Ahead:

Akhtar’s ambitions are set high: “I want to be one of the highest competing Muslim females in the world, especially in Formula. My next step is Formula 3—and maybe endurance racing too.”

Her dream is to drive for McLaren in Formula 1, or in the hypercar scene she admires for its technological push. Spa-Francorchamps and Jeddah are at the top of her dream tracks.