Jehan Daruvala, the sole Indian driver in Formula 2, and India’s best chance for another F1 driver, has got one step closer to the dream, with the announcement of a test session with the Mclaren F1 team. The test will see Daruvala drive the team’s 2021 F1 car, the MCL35M this week at Silverstone, with full support from the Red Bull junior programme. Although the test is with Mclaren, the deal was supported by Red Bull as well as Mumbai Falcons.
The test is part of a program by Mclaren to give young drivers a chance to drive an F1 car and also gauge their talent and skill behind the wheel. According to Jehan, the deal was also supported by Helmut Marko, the creator and chief of the Red Bull junior program.
Jehan, now in his third season of Formula 2 and driving a superbly consistent campaign to be third in the standings, is in the fight for the title this year. He is also the top Red Bull junior in the standings, as well as the most senior in terms of experience. This news comes after other Red Bull juniors, such as Juri Vips and Liam Lawson, superseded him with F1 test and practice sessions earlier this year.
Speaking about the opportunity, Jehan said, “I’m incredibly grateful to be getting this opportunity. Testing in Formula 1 is extremely limited and opportunities like these are not easy to come by, especially with a championship-winning team like McLaren. It will be my first experience in a Formula 1 car, which I’m sure will be special. The support that I have received from the Red Bull Junior Team, my family and sponsors like Mumbai Falcons, coupled with this opportunity that McLaren have given me will enable me to prepare myself better to achieve my childhood dream of competing in Formula 1.”
This test is huge news for Indian motorsport and confirms the fact that Daruvala is on the radars of F1 teams, and the day might not be far when we see him in an F1 car.