Motorsport Roundup: Verstappen’s Dominant Austria GP, Deodhar’s First EuroNASCAR 2 Win, And Daruvala’s Arjuna Nomination

It may have been a calmer week for motorsports these last seven days, but there was enough action that made headlines. It ranged from the 2021 Formula One Austrian Grand Prix, Advait Deodhar creating history at EuroNASCAR 2, and Jehan Daruvala being nominated for one of the highest civilian honours for sports in India. Here’s all about it:

Formula One 

F1’s return to the Red Bull Ring for the 2021 Austrian Grand Prix, saw the Red Bull Honda of Max Verstappen repeat what he did last week. The Dutchman scored a dominant win, and set his first ‘grand slam’ of qualifying on pole position, leading every lap and setting the fastest lap of the race. Finishing second was the Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas, closely followed by McLaren’s Lando Norris. Verstappen stretched his lead over Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in the drivers’ standings to 32 points, while Red Bull Racing Honda now lead Mercedes in the constructors’ standings by 44 points. 

Off the track, Lewis Hamilton agreed a contract extension with Mercedes till the end of the 2023 season. This contract will see the seven-time world champion complete 11 seasons with Mercedes since joining them in 2013.  

NASCAR Whelen Euro Series

Advait Deodhar created history for India in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series by scoring his first win in the EuroNASCAR 2 class at the third round of the season at Brands Hatch, UK. Racing a Chevrolet SS for CAAL Racing, the Indian driver converted pole position to win the race ahead of Tobias Dauenhauer. In Round 4 the next day,  he qualified on pole position again, but had to settle for third in the end. These strong results put Deodhar in fourth place in the drivers’ standings, just 20 points off championship leader Tobias Dauenhauer. 

Indian Motorsport

In another positive story for Indian motorsports, the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) nominated Formula 2 racer Jehan Daruvala for the prestigious Arjuna Award, one of the highest civilian honours you could receive for sports in India. Driving for Carlin Racing, and a Red Bull Junior driver, the Indian driver has made a splash in Formula 2 by scoring a maiden win in 2020. Podiums in the 2021 season currently put Daruvala seventh in the drivers’ standings. 

Next week will see Formula E return to racing action at the double-header set of races at the New York E-Prix on July 10.