India's Jehan Daruvala to test F1 car for first time with McLaren
Daruvala is aiming to become the third Indian to race in Formula 1 after Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok.
Indian racer Jehan Daruvala will drive a Formula One car for the first time as he has secured a two-day test with eight-time constructors' winner McLaren.
The 23-year-old, who is currently in his third season in Formula 2, will be driving a McLaren MCL35 on June 21 and 22 at Silverstone in the UK.
The call-up comes under McLaren’s lookout for promising drivers who are looking to crack into the Formula One Championship.
'Super excited and grateful for the opportunity to have my first experience in a Formula 1 car testing with McLarenF1 this week,' Jehan wrote on Twitter.
Super excited and grateful for the opportunity to have my first experience in a Formula 1 car testing with @McLarenF1 this week!?
— Jehan Daruvala (@DaruvalaJehan) June 20, 2022
A big thank you to the Red Bull Junior Team, my family, my support team, @MumbaiFalcons , McLaren and to everyone who’s supported me along the way! pic.twitter.com/JuiQBkYCHU
Though Jehan is part of the Red Bull Junior Programme, he has got the required go ahead from the Milton Keynes' outfit to test with a rival F1 team.
WHO IS JEHAN DARUWALA?
Jehan Daruvala, born on October 1, 1998, in Mumbai, is currently competing in the FIA Formula 2 Championship. He was a protege of the Force India F1 team, after being one of three winners of a 'One in a Billion hunt' organised by the team in 2011. He is currently a member of the Red Bull Junior Team.
He has already said the current Formula 2 season is a make-or-break one for him as far his Formula 1 dream is concerned. He is currently in the middle of his best season with five podiums in six rounds, pushing him to third place in the standings, reported PTI.
P4 in the Feature Race… pretty happy with the race I did and a really good result for @PREMA_Team as well ✅
— Jehan Daruvala (@DaruvalaJehan) June 12, 2022
So close to the podium again but it is what it is!?… Silverstone next ??
? James Gasperotti#redbull #redbulljuniorteam #prema #pap #winway #F2 #bellracinghq pic.twitter.com/dugkZmRrMp
'This is nothing related to me getting a drive next year in Formula 1. There are not many seats opening up in F1 but I have got this opportunity to be in an F1 car and do well and if I do get the opportunity I want to be ready,' he said.
WHY IS IT A BIG DEAL?
Daruvala is aiming to become the third Indian to race in Formula 1 after Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok.
He will be doing laps of the Silverstone track with speeds in excess of 300kmph, pushing his body to the limit, especially the neck, with G forces involved, reported PTI.
'Apart from my neck, I have not done too much extra. I have been busy with my racing (F2). I am generally very fit and don't struggle that much. I will come to know at the end of the week but I have prepared my body as much as I can for the test,' he said.
Though Karthikeyan and Chandhok have had their stints in the F1, getting to practice with a team like McLaren is big deal for Jehan. McLaren has been one of the most dominating teams in the F1 history, and if Jehan goes past the practice stage, it would be a big achievement.