Many will keep an eye on Jehan Daruvala as he dons his Red Bull racing suit and begins free practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix in the Carlin F2 car. It’s the best shot the Indian people have when they see a compatriot in Formula 1, the pinnacle of motorsport. His last outing at Sakhir and a tough test at the end of the season gave hope to the Indian racing community.
His last race in Sakhir was the best of his career. Jehan Daruvala won the last race of the season and proved his doubters were wrong. It also showed Red Bull and the rest of the grid that the Indian was capable of consistently strong performances.
2020 was a story of two halves for Jehan Daruvala
The first half of his season was marked by poor performances that raised many questions about his credibility. A faulty engine that he said lost about half a second on the straights compared to his teammate was the main cause of those bad weekends.
“It was like a season with two halves. I tried to forget about the first half and learn to improve in the second half of the season. I hope to carry that shape into the next year.”
After Jehan Daruvala got an engine change in Monza, his form and fortune seemed to be reversed and he was consistently showing good pace. Daruvala scored points in six of the following eight races. He also won two highly competitive podiums.
Jehan Daruvala celebrates his first win in Formula 2. Photo: Bryn Lennon / Getty Images.
Expectations this year
It takes most drivers a year to find their feet in the Formula 2 machine before they can get a real shot at the championship. Mick Schumacher, Callum Ilott and Guanyu Zhou, who had an outstanding season last year, took a similar path.
A top 3 result in Formula 2 not only guarantees a super driver’s license, which is mandatory for driving in Formula 1, but also opens up opportunities for the greatest racing spectacle in the world. Daruvala has a high chance of a seat next year as Gasly speculates about leaving AlphaTauri for Alpine. A poor performance by the youngest F2 graduate Yuki Tsunoda could also bring the Indian to the height of motorsport.
Jehan Daruvala, who is supported by the Red Bull Junior Team, has the talent and a visible path to Formula 1 that he needs to grasp with both hands.
Formula 2 has changed its format and now has three races per event. This means that consistent top 10 finishes and impressive qualification performances are vital for the young Mumbai American.
Published 26 Mar 2021 16:43 IST
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