Jehan Daruvala Set for Formula E Debut
Indian racer Jehan Daruvala is poised to make his debut in the all-electric Formula E championship as he joins the grid with Maserati MSG Racing in Mexico City this weekend.
Hyderabad: Indian racer Jehan Daruvala is poised to make his debut in the all-electric Formula E championship as he joins the grid with Maserati MSG Racing in Mexico City this weekend.
The 25-year-old, transitioning from the F1 feeder series Formula 2, will partner with Maximilian Günther, marking him as only the third Indian driver to participate in a single-seater world championship event, following Narain Karthikeyan’s Formula One appearance over a decade ago.
“It’s fair to say that I’m really excited for my debut with Maserati MSG Racing in Mexico – what an iconic place to start my journey as a Formula E driver,” said Jehan, who will also become the first Indian to race in Formula E since it attained ‘World Championship’ status.
“Together with the team, we have worked hard over the last few months to ensure I’m as prepared as possible ahead of the season start. The track layout looks fun to drive, and the atmosphere in Mexico is something I’m very much looking forward to experiencing as well – people underestimate the impact that these things can have on a driver. Most of all, though, I want to do myself and my team proud.”
Formula E, inaugurated in the 2014-15 season, has gained immense popularity globally, heading into its 10th season.
The series features a field of competitive, top-level racers and has attracted big-name manufacturers and established motorsport brands like Porsche, Nissan, Maserati, Jaguar, Mahindra, McLaren, and Andretti.
The calendar for this year will take the championship through iconic cities such as Sao Paolo, Tokyo, Monaco, Berlin, Shanghai, and London.
This move to the championship marks the latest breakthrough in Jehan’s career, which began in go-karts in 2009. After finishing third in Force India’s ‘One From a Billion’ talent hunt in 2011, he raced in Europe.
Starting in the Formula Renault category, Jehan progressed through European Formula 3 and made his appearance on the F1 support bill in 2019 in the FIA F3 series. His impressive rookie season saw him finish third in the overall FIA F3 standings, leading to his move to the F1 feeder series Formula 2.
Despite being a Formula E rookie, Jehan has extensive experience driving the current Gen3 car, initially as a reserve driver for Mahindra Racing and later in the official pre-season test for Maserati MSG Racing. His goal is to establish himself as a front-runner, mirroring his achievements in other categories.
Jehan’s successful career includes wins in every category he has raced in, with four wins and 18 podiums in Formula 2. The season-opening Mexico City E-Prix will be broadcast live on Sony Ten 1 and the SonyLIV app.
Schedule
- Free Practice 1: January 13th, 2024, at 03:55
- Free Practice 2: January 13th, 2024, at 18:55
- Qualifying: January 13th, 2024, at 21:10
- Race: January 14th, 2024, at 01:33
