Hyderabad’s rally ace Naveen Puligilla and co-driver Musa Sherif created history on Sunday by becoming the first Indian duo to finish on a World Rally Championship podium. Competing in the WRC3 category at the Saudi Arabia Rally 2025, the pair secured second place in their class, completing the gruelling event in 4 hours, 28 minutes and 58.7 seconds, and finishing 26th overall among 41 cars.
Their Ford Fiesta Rally3, prepared by Africa Eco Sports of Nairobi, Kenya, was just 1 minute 14.2 seconds behind the next WRC3 competitor, giving them a comfortable margin over the rest of the field. The achievement is especially notable given the competition included top-tier Rally 1 and Rally 2 cars from factory teams such as Hyundai, Toyota, and M-Sport Ford.
WRC3 is a category in the World Rally Championship that primarily features privateer teams and up-and-coming drivers, competing in Rally3 cars. These vehicles, while not as powerful as Rally1 or Rally2 cars, are built for high performance on challenging terrains including gravel roads, desert tracks, and snow or ice surfaces.
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Success in WRC3 is seen as a critical stepping stone for drivers aiming to move up to higher categories and eventually challenge for overall WRC titles. Puligilla and Sherif’s podium is a strong statement that Indian crews can compete at the global level.
The duo displayed seamless teamwork and consistency across 17 demanding special stages, including fast gravel tracks, shifting sand dunes, and broken desert routes. Their performance in Saudi Arabia caps off an impressive season for Puligilla, who had previously secured a podium at the Tanzania Rally and a category win at India’s National Rally Championship’s Robusta Rally in Kodagu.
“This podium means far more than just a trophy. It proves that Indian crews can compete at the highest level on the world stage,” Puligilla said. “It is a testament to the growing talent and professionalism in Indian motorsport.”
Puligilla and Sherif’s success also highlights the rising standard of Indian rally racing, which has gradually gained prominence on the international stage over the past decade. Their achievement is expected to inspire more young drivers and co-drivers in India to pursue rallying professionally and aim for World Rally Championship participation.
With this historic finish, India has officially announced its presence on the WRC map, and Puligilla-Sherif have set a benchmark for future Indian rally teams to aim for.
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