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Jana Anjaiman, now 14, took her first laps at the Nancy karting circuit in France during a family vacation in the summer of 2023 and immediately demonstrated exceptional ability by winning both junior and senior championships at the facility while also setting a new lap record, according to her father Captain Talal Anjaiman. The former Saudi Airlines pilot described how the unplanned stop at the track transformed an ordinary trip into the launch of his daughter’s motorsport career, with Jana progressing rapidly upon their return to Saudi Arabia. Anjaiman told reporters that his daughter secured the national karting championship in the kingdom before advancing to international competition, where she achieved a 19th-place finish in one European event and 13th in another.
The young racer has claimed back-to-back titles at the IAME Ladies Cup, establishing herself among the top female karters in that competition, a Saudi Motorsport Federation-sanctioned series that has grown in prominence as the kingdom expands its motorsport infrastructure under Vision 2030. In her most recent IAME Ladies Cup appearance she finished 17th despite suffering two engine failures during the event, Anjaiman reported. Rally co-driver Vincent Landais, who observed her performance, stated, “Keep Jana on track. She is going far.” The federation has noted increased female participation in karting events since 2021, aligning with broader efforts to develop homegrown talent ahead of major international series hosted in the kingdom.
Jana Anjaiman has expressed a passion for the sport that extends beyond driving, telling interviewers she hopes to study mechanical engineering to deepen her understanding of vehicle dynamics and performance. She has said her success serves as motivation for other Saudi girls considering motorsport, a field that has seen expanded opportunities for women in recent years through initiatives by national sporting authorities. Anjaiman added that his greatest pride lies in the values his daughter upholds while representing the Saudi flag at events across Europe and the region.
Preparation is underway for Jana Anjaiman’s next IAME Ladies Cup competition scheduled for October 2026, with the family actively seeking sponsorship to support her continued development on the international stage, Captain Talal Anjaiman said. The teenager’s trajectory reflects the kingdom’s investment in youth motorsport programs, which according to Saudi Arabian Motorsport Federation data have expanded training facilities and competitive calendars since the launch of the inaugural Saudi Grand Prix in 2021. Her story has drawn attention from within the regional racing community for highlighting rapid advancement from a casual introduction to the sport.
Captain Talal Anjaiman emphasized that the family’s focus remains on balancing Jana’s racing pursuits with her education and personal growth, ensuring the teenager maintains perspective beyond competition results. The young racer has already accumulated experience across varied karting categories in both domestic and overseas events, building a foundation that positions her among the youngest competitors in her field. Anjaiman noted that continued progress will depend on access to high-level coaching and reliable equipment as she targets further championships in the coming seasons.
