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In the fast-paced world of motorsports, rising talent Jehan Daruvala had been making waves with his exceptional performances and impressive track record; he was tipped as India’s next big thing in motorsport before the hype vanished.
As the Indian motorsport sensation continues to carve his path to the top, the question on everyone’s minds is whether he will secure a coveted Formula 1 seat or embark on a new journey in Formula E.
In this article, we delve into Daruvala’s achievements, his prospects for the future, and the likelihood of him securing a remarkable F1 seat in the upcoming season.
Daruvala’s Road to F2 – How Did It All Start
Contents
Jehan Daruvala’s journey in motorsports began at an early age, when his passion for racing ignited. There have always been talks about him getting his chance due to his family’s wealth. Jehan Daruvala’s father is the MD of Sterling & Wilson and has been reported to have an alleged net worth of $1.5 million in a country where the median net worth of an adult is $15,535.
His talent and dedication quickly propelled him through the ranks of karting, eventually leading him to compete in prestigious junior categories and emerge as champion in a few of them. Daruvala’s breakthrough came when he finished second to a certain Lando Norris in the 2016 Toyota Racing Series.
He was able to secure a seat with Carlin for the 2017 European F3 season and was able to secure 6th in the driver’s championship come the end of the season. He remained with Carlin for another season but fell down the rankings to 10thin 2018.
He entered the inaugural FIA F3 season with Prema and went on to have an impressive season, winning two races on his way to finishing 3rd in the driver’s standings.
Jehan Daruvala F2 Results and Standings
Jehan would partner his former foe, Yuki Tsunoda, with Carlin for the 2020 FIA F2 season. Red Bull also inducted Jehan into their Junior Driver Academy in the same season. It was a season of ups and downs, but he was able to end it with a bang. He won the sprint race at the Sakhir season finale and was the first Indian to ever win in the series. But he finished a lowly 12th, while his teammate finished 3rd and was able to make the big jump to F1.
Similarly, 2021 was not very different from the last season. He was partnered with fellow Red Bull junior Dan Ticktum. He won a couple of sprint races and a handful of podiums on his way to finishing 7th overall, but this was also the second season in a row where he finished behind his teammate.
In the 2022 F2 season, Jehan reunited with Prema and partnered with rookie Dennis Hauger. He finished on the podium a few more times and won his first feature race in Monza. He finished the season in seventh place overall with one win, seven podiums, and 126 points. He even got the better of his rookie teammate.
2023 F2 Season – Current Results and Standings
In 2023, Jehan joined MP Motorsport for his fourth season in F2, alongside teammate Dennis Hauger. Daruvala had a strong start in Bahrain, with a sixth-place finish in the sprint race and a drop to 16th in the feature race. He achieved podium finishes with third places in both sprint and feature races in Jeddah.
In Melbourne, he finished 17th in the sprint race but climbed to sixth in the feature race due to incidents. However, he had a disappointing weekend in Baku and failed to score points in Barcelona.
Jehan currently sits 11th in the driver’s standings, one place behind teammate Dennis Hauger and one place ahead of fellow Indian hotshot Khush Maini.
Jehan Daruvala’s F1 Chances – The Unlikely Prospects of an F1 Seat
While Daruvala’s prowess and achievements make him a strong candidate for an F1 seat, the reality of the highly competitive landscape cannot be ignored. Securing a spot in the elite world of Formula 1 requires a combination of talent, timing, and financial backing.
Unless an unexpected opportunity presents itself, Daruvala’s chances of securing an F1 seat in the upcoming season seem slim and he might have to the Nyck de Vries route and win the Formula E championship to have another shot.
The Situation at Hand Right Now
Jehan Daruvala is aged 24 years old as of this time and was dropped from the Red Bull Junior Team after the 2022 F2 season. The time to secure an F1 seat is now running out for Jehan. Fortunately, he was able to secure a reserve driver role for the Mahindra Racing Team in Formula E for the 2022–23 season and has already made an appearance in Formula E machinery in the Berlin rookie test.
Prior to this, he did have a series of free practice sessions for the McLaren F1 Team at Silverstone, Paul Ricard, and the Algarve International Circuit, all of which were made available to him thanks to his sponsor, MumbaiFalcons.
Formula E: A Viable Alternative
As the F1 grid becomes increasingly competitive, securing an F1 seat is a daunting task. Recognizing this reality, Jehan Daruvala has explored alternative avenues in the world of motorsports.Formula E, the all-electric racing championship that has gained significant popularity in recent years.
Formula E’s Appeal
Formula E has witnessed a meteoric rise in popularity, attracting top manufacturers and renowned drivers. The series provides an exciting platform for talented racers to showcase their skills while contributing to the development of sustainable racing technology.
Joining forces with Mahindra Racing would allow Daruvala to compete in a highly competitive field while simultaneously contributing to the ongoing evolution of motorsports. The appeal of an Indian driver racing for an Indian team is something which would most likely result in many more eyeballs on Formula E.
Conclusion
Jehan Daruvala’s journey in motorsports is one defined by talent, determination, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. As he stands on the precipice of a crucial decision, the choice between Formula E with Mahindra Racing or an elusive F1 seat beckons. Whether he continues his trajectory in Formula E or defies the odds to secure an F1 seat, one thing remains certain: Jehan Daruvala’s indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to his racing career will ensure that India will have one star for the future.
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