It's a modest but crucial step toward Jehan Daruvala becoming only the third Indian to compete in Formula One.
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Jehan Daruvala who drives in the Formula 2 for Prema racing is excited about his first Formula One ride after it was reported that he will test drive for McLaren on Tuesday and Wednesday at the legendary Silverstone circuit in England. It’s a modest but crucial step toward Daruvala becoming only the third Indian to compete in Formula One, and the first since Narain Karthikeyan a decade ago. Jehan Daruvala is incredibly serene for a man who is about to realize a portion of his ambition.
He doesn’t appear overly eager and avoids over-promising. Only on rare occasions does the 23-year-old Indian racer appear to be humming. “It’ll be tempting to go flat out. But the main goal is to learn, But at the end of the day, I am a racing driver so I want to drive as fast as I can…” expressed the 23 year old Indian who looked very excited to land such an opportunity.
Although drivers evaluate F1 vehicles, it is typically for the purpose of improving the car. In Jehan Daruvala’s situation, it will be his assessment rather than the car’s. Jehan Daruvala’s test drive with McLaren on Tuesday and Wednesday will not guarantee him a position in Formula One. However, it is a significant step in the right direction. Daruvala has been racing in F2 for the previous three years, and if he can manage the pace of F1, he might gain another seat with McLaren or possibly lure other teams trying to seal their 2023 squad.
McLaren will assess Daruvala’s driving abilities and potential over the course of two days. It is not currently related to a long-term contract, as the Mumbai racer often emphasizes. Rather, this will be a Drive to survive for him, to steal the title of the Netflix programme. Daruvala emphasizes that the test has nothing to do with him having an F1 drive next year. “There are not many seats opening up in F1. But I want to tick all the boxes before hopefully, I get a seat,” said Daruvala.
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Daruvala and his father Khurshed discussed the possibilities with Red Bull’s head of driver development programme, Marko Helmut, and an agreement was struck. Daruvala believes that this exam, together with his F2 scores, will be the next stage in his career. He’ll be driving McLaren’s MCL35M, which they used last year. It was widely regarded as one of the season’s fastest cars, with McLaren often finishing third. Daruvala has spent the previous few days practicing in the simulator, but nothing can equip him for the instant he gets into the cockpit.
Daruvala adds he’ll explore with Helmut the possibility of being a reserve driver if a permanent position doesn’t work out, keeping the F1 door open for him in 2024. Before that, he’ll have to demonstrate his ability to drive an F1 car.
