Jehan Daruvala Gets One Step Closer To F1, Lands Maiden Test With McLaren

We’ve not had an Indian driver in the Formula One grid since Narain Karthikeyan raced with HRT all the way back in 2012. But, Jehan Daruvala, who is currently competing in Formula 2, is seemingly the best bet to become India’s third F1 driver. 

And now, he’s taken one step closer to realising that aspiration as the Indian driver will get his first taste of a Formula One car this week, via a test with McLaren at the Silverstone circuit in England.

The Indian driver will pilot the McLaren MCL35M, which was driven by the team’s current driver lineup Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris in the 2021 Formula One season. This car itself has quite the colourful history, as it scored five podiums including earning the team’s first win in F1 since the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix. McLaren managed to clinch fourth place in the constructors’ standings that year.

Jehan Daruvala has been competing in the FIA Formula 2 championship since 2020, and has been affiliated with the Red Bull Junior programme since then and continues to remain a part of it. The Indian driver has amassed multiple podiums including three sprint race wins over his F2 career to date. 

Going into his third season in F2, 2022 has been the Indian driver’s strongest stint so far, with the Prema Racing driver scoring  five podiums already, and currently lies third in the driver standings in the fight for the title.

The Indian driver’s Formula 2 season will resume when the season heads to Silverstone, UK next week (from July 01-03).