After all the success in Formula 2 that Jehan Daruvala had this year, including his first F2 Feature Race win and F1 tests with Mclaren, the Indian driver has moved a step in the direction that all Indian racing fans have been hoping for. Mahindra Racing has signed Jehan Daruvala as its reserve driver for the 2023 season, the first of the new Gen 3 regulations. Daruvala will support Oliver Rowland and Lucas di Grassi with race support and development of the brand’s new car. He will also work at Mahindra Racing’s Banbury HQ, helping engineers with the simulator.
As part of the job, Jehan will also be attending a few Formula E races next year, including the inaugural Indian E-Prix, to be held in February at Hyderabad.
Speaking about the appointment, Daruvala said, “To be a part of an Indian motorsport team is a dream come true. Formula E is very competitive, and I am really excited about this new chapter of my career. Season 9 promises to be very exciting with the all-new Gen 3 car and I am looking forward to learning and contributing, especially to car development and supporting the team. Mahindra Racing’s pioneering efforts in promoting sustainability globally are commendable and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute.”
Asha Kharge, the Chairperson of Mahindra Racing, was equally pleased, “We are delighted to welcome Jehan to our team. As a founding member, Mahindra Racing has diligently worked towards promoting Formula E globally and we are pleased to bring a young, accomplished Indian race driver to this fantastic sport. Jehan, with his experience and results across single-seaters, will add a great wealth of knowledge to our development program. With Formula E’s debut race in India, this is an especially exciting year for us, and we are excited to give the Indian fans a truly global experience.”
With this, Jehan Daruvala becomes the second Indian driver to drive in Formula E as well as for Mahindra Racing after Karun Chandhok in the inaugural 2014 season. The Indian team has been making big moves recently in an attempt to move back up the competitive order after a lackluster 2022 season.