Jordan's Track Talk

Tag: Jehan Daruvala

  • Daruvala & Guenther to depart Maserati

    Maximilian Guenther and Jehan Daruvala are to leave Maserati MSG Racing, the team confirmed.

    Guenther joined Maserati MSG Racing at the start of Formula E’s GEN3 era and made history by becoming the first driver since Juan Manuel Fangio in 1957 to win a World Championship single-seater race for the Trident.

    Alongside a further victory at the inaugural Tokyo E- earlier in 2024, the German represented the team on Formula E podium on six occasions, while also claiming two pole positions across 32 races.

    Daruvala who became the first Indian racing driver to compete in World Championship motorsport since 2012 in Season 10.
    He joined Maserati MSG Racing for Formula E’s most recent campaign and showed continual progression to secure two top 10 finishes in his time with the team.

    I’d like to thank Max and Jehan personally and on behalf of the Maserati Family for all their commitment and all the work they have done. Both made contributions to the team’s achievements and did their best in every race to put both of the Maserati Tipo Folgore in the best possible positions. Max brought us so much excitement, taking the Trident back to the podium several times, whereas Jehan – the only rookie on the track in Season 10 – did an amazing job with his growth and had no hesitation in facing leading drivers with determination and passion. We’re proud to have had Max and Jehan with us, to have worked together and to have shared so much that will stay with us forever as part of Maserati’s history in Formula E. I’d like to wish them both a great future in motorsports.
    Giovanni Sgro, Head of Maserati Corse.

    On behalf of the team I would like to sincerely thank Max and Jehan for the work they have put in over the course of Season 10. Since joining the team in 2022, Max has played a critical role in our development and has been responsible for some of our biggest achievements in Formula E’s Gen3 era so far. Being a rookie in this championship is not easy however Jehan showed his speed over one lap right from the second round in Saudi Arabia. He was consistently quick in qualifying and towards the second half of the season he was regularly challenging for points. It has been a pleasure to watch Max and Jehan grow as part of our team, and we wish them nothing but the best for the future.
    Jose M Aznar, Team Principal & Managing Partner, Maserati MSG Racing.

  • Daruvala & Gunther to drive for Maserati

    Maserati MSG Racing have confirmed the signing of Jehan Daruvala alongside the returning Maximilian Gunther for Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

    Daruvala is well acquainted with Formula E, and after making two Rookie Test appearances in 2023 already, he will step up for a full time race seat next season.

    A breakthrough 2019 season, which saw him emerge as a key title protagonist in FIA Formula 3, facilitated Jehan’s progression to Formula 1 feeder category, FIA Formula 2 in 2020 – where he scored four wins and 18 podiums.

    The former Mahindra Racing Reserve Driver made an official outing in the team’s M9Electro at the Berlin Rookie Test – with the 24 year old Indian driver finding himself inside the top six runners at that day long two session test.

    Race winner Gunther extends deal, the 26 year old is a fixture on the Formula E grid, and despite his relatively young age, he’s among the most experienced as a result.

    Gunther became Formula E’s youngest race winner in just his 13th E-Prix and two Julius Baer Pole Positions, four podiums and Maserati’s first victory in World Championship single-seater motorsport since Juan Manuel Fangio won for the Italian marque in Germany 1957, means a well-earned return to the team for Season 10.

    That Jakarta win followed Berlin podiums and early season pressure yielded what looked like a nailed-on seat for the German in 2023/24.

    Formula E is a championship that I have admired for a long time, and after taking part in two test sessions, I’m very happy to have the opportunity to step up to a full-time race seat. From my experiences so far, the GEN3 car is completely unique to drive, but I’ve found it to be a very rewarding experience. I would like to thank James (Rossiter, Team Principal) and Maserati MSG Racing for giving me this chance and I can’t wait to learn more about the car and get to know the team better in pre-season testing, before hitting the ground running in Mexico City in January.

    Daruvala on the move to Formula E.

    I’m very proud to continue with Maserati MSG Racing. We had a great first season together, particular the momentum we build in the second half of the year with one win, four podiums and two poles. Continuing to build on this base is something that I‘m very much looking forward to in 2024, same as working with Jehan as my new teammate. After seeing our performance trajectory unfold this year, I‘m confident we can go on to achieve bigger and better things in the future.

    Gunther on sticking with Maserati.

    We’re excited about our driver lineup for Season 10, and we’re confident that the blend of Max’s experience with Jehan’s determination will prove to be a competitive combination. Max impressed us throughout the 2022/23 season, and continuing our relationship was a natural decision. He has brilliant speed, a strong understanding of Formula E’s Gen3 package, and with five seasons of experience – despite being aged only 26 – has an impressive amount of knowledge. That experience will be invaluable for Jehan, who has already shown good promise in his two rookie test outings with Mahindra earlier this year. Over the past four years, he has shown hunger and determination in Formula 2, and has clearly demonstrated that he has what it takes to win races. Now, Jehan is ready to do the work it takes to succeed in Formula E. In Season 9, we faced many highs and lows, but we learned a great deal from every scenario we faced. After making some positive performance gains over the Summer, we’re looking forward to getting Season 10 underway, and with our lineup, we’re confident that we can be in a position to fight at the front of the grid.

    Team Principal, James Rossiter.

  • Mahindra Racing choose rookies

    Mahindra Racing has confirmed Jehan Daruvala, Jordan King and Roberto Merhi will drive for the team at the Berlin Rookie Test.

    Merhi, who raced for Manor Marussia F1 Team during the 2015 season, joins the Banbury based outfit in Berlin for his first taste of electric motorsport.

    A successful single-seater career saw the Spaniard win races across Formula Renault, Spanish F3, British F4 and Formula 3.5 Euro Series before progressing into Formula One, first as a test driver and then a competing driver.

    Since then, he has advanced into sports cars and endurance racing, finishing third in the Asian Le Mans Series Drivers’ Championship in 2020.

    I’m very happy to make my debut in Formula E with the Rookie Test in Berlin. I would really like to thank Mahindra Racing for trusting me. I will put in all my effort to do a good job for the team. Adapting to a new challenge is exciting and I look forward to it.

    The 32 year old on the test.

    The Berlin test event will be Reserve Driver Jehan Daruvala’s first official outing in the M9Electro, after joining Mahindra Racing at the start of the season. He has since shadowed the teams drivers, Lucas di Grassi and Oliver Rowland in Diriyah and Hyderabad earlier this year.

    The young Indian racer has impressed in recent years competing in FIA Formula 2, scoring multiple wins and podiums, most recently achieving two third-placed finishes during the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix weekend.

    The GEN3 is the fastest Formula E car yet and I’m really excited to be given the chance to drive it in Berlin. My role as Reserve Driver means I have already driven laps in the simulator, and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the M9Electro for real. As an Indian, I’m especially proud to be driving for the only Indian manufacturer on the grid and I’m really grateful to Mahindra Racing for giving me this opportunity.

    Daruvala on the test.

    Formula 1 development driver, Jordan King has been Mahindra Racing’s Simulator and Development Driver since 2021.

    The 29 year old has enjoyed a strong single-seater career, wining the 2013 British F3 Championship and competing in GB2, F2 and IndyCar as well as working with the Manor Marussia and Alpine F1 teams.

    I’m really looking forward to getting in the car and continuing the development work we’ve been doing behind the scenes. It’ll be good to take the weekend’s simulator work straight to the track on Monday morning and carry on the progression and learning. As always, I’m grateful to the team for the opportunity to represent them and I can’t wait to get out there.

    King on the opportunity.

  • Daruvala switches to MP

    The Formula 2 grid is now complete as MP Motorsport have announced that Jehan Daruvala will be joining the reigning Drivers’ and Teams’ Champions for the 2023 season.

    The 24 year old has claimed victory in every F2 season, he’s competed in since his debut in 2020, with four wins and 15 podiums to his name.

    After two seasons at Carlin, Daruvala moved to PREMA Racing last season and went on to finish seventh in the Standings for the second consecutive season.

    Swapping from PREMA to MP, the Indian driver will be reunited with 2022 teammate Dennis Hauger for the 2023 season. The pair both completed post-season testing with the Dutch squad, with Daruvala clocking in the second fastest time of Day 2’s morning session at the Yas Marina circuit.

    I’m really pleased to be back in FIA Formula 2, and to be able to team up with MP Motorsport makes it extra special. Last year, I was stunned by MP’s remarkably consistent front-running pace, and in 2023 I hope to be the beneficiary of that myself! Together with Dennis, I’m confident that our combined experience and speed will contribute to MP fighting for wins once again. I really enjoyed working with the team in the post-season test and look forward to 2023 testing and the season that lies ahead.

    Daruvala on his new seat.

    At MP, we are delighted to welcome Jehan to our FIA F2 team. He has been a consistent frontrunner right from his debut in the category, taking wins in every F2 season he has competed in. His experience will be of great value to the team, so we are very much aiming for a repeat of last year’s form. Also, matching him up with Dennis will allow us to build on a smooth cooperation between teammates who already know each other well. With such a strong driver pairing for 2023, I can’t wait to go racing!

    MP Motorsport Team principal, Sander Dorsman.

  • Daruvala joins Mahindra Racing

    Mahindra Racing has added single-seater racer, Jehan Daruvala to the team’s roster as its Reserve Driver for Season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

    The 24 year old is the first and only Indian Formula 2 race winner and has recently completed three Formula 1 tests with McLaren. Having won four Formula 2 races, and being a multiple time podium sitter, Daruvala has built on a swift rise up the junior formula ladder after stepping up to Formula 3 in 2019, where he achieved two wins and finished third in his rookie season.

    Daruvala was then promoted to Formula 2 and in 2021, he came third in the F3 Asian Championship, racing for Indian outfit Mumbai Falcons, where he took three race wins and a further five podiums, as well as three pole positions and fastest laps.

    Daruvala will be pending his time at the team’s Banbury HQ, working on the simulator alongside engineers, proving car development and race support for drivers Lucas Di Grassi and Oliver Rowland. There are also plans for him to attend some races, including the team’s inaugural home E-Prix in Hyderabad.

    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.

    Daruvala on his new role.

    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.

    Asha Kharga, Chairperson Mahindra Racing
  • Daruvala switches to Prema

    Daruvala switches to Prema

    For the first time in FOUR years, Prema will field an all new line-up in Formula Two. With the recent news of Dennis Hauger joining and now Jehan Daruvala.

    Red Bull junior, is returning to Prema after being at Carlin for two season in F2. He was with the Italian team in Formula 3 for the 2019 Championship, that was where he challenged for the title, he ended the season in third with two wins and five podiums in total.

    When he took the step up into F2, Daruvala took two more podiums which includes a win in his rookie year- where he finished 12th overall. In his second season (2021), he managed to grab two wins, as well as 3 more podiums, in which he ended the year in 7th.

    “I’m really happy to be back at PREMA and continue to be part of the Red Bull Junior Team for the 2022 FIA F2 Championship,” said Daruvala. “We have worked together in the past and share a fantastic relationship. PREMA is a champion team and I can’t wait to get started and look forward to a successful F2 campaign.”

    Discussing the return of Daruvala, Team Principal René Rosin said: “We have had a great relationship with Jehan when we raced together in FIA F3 and we have deep respect for his skills and work ethics. I think he fits our team very well and I’m looking forward to seeing how much progress he has made in the last couple of years. He performed impressively in post-season testing and he has a great deal of experience also in terms of race formats and procedures. Together with the Red Bull Junior program, we will provide him with all the support he needs to pursue his goals.”

    My Opinion-

    I think he needs a championship winning team to show what he can do, he knows the team well after competing with them in 2019 so it makes sense for him to only go back to them. Prema have another strong line up once again! And both Red Bull junior drivers in the team.