21-year-old Daruvala who was a championship contender and race winner in the 2019 FIA F3 Championship, makes the step up to F2 in Red Bull colours having been announced as a member of the Red Bull Junior team this morning. Daruvala will race alongside already announced team-mate and fellow Red Bull Junior Yuki Tsunoda.
Daruvala re-joins Carlin following two successful seasons with the team in Formula 3 in 2017 and 2018 claiming several podiums, wins and poles with the Farnham based team. In 2019, a move to the highly competitive FIA F3 Championship on the F1 support package saw Daruvala immediately set himself out as a championship contender, with wins in the first two rounds. A total of seven podiums saw Daruvala take third in the standings, missing out on the vice champion spot by just one point.
Daruvala has spent the winter recuperating following a serious knee injury he sustained while training last November. Having endured surgery on his knee, the Indian racer is happily back to full fitness ahead of the 12 round FIA F2 season and is ready for pre-season testing next week.
Talking about the season ahead, Daruvala said, “I’m very happy to be back for my third season with Carlin, it’s great to be working with some of the same people again on the engineering side as I make the step up to F2. It’s a new challenge for me, but I think for everyone, including the teams there will be things to learn this year. I’m very proud to be going into the season as a Red Bill Junior which will of course be added pressure but I believe I have the platform to deliver, so it’s going to be up to me. I can’t wait to get going.”
Speaking about the team’s newest signing, Trevor Carlin said, “We’re delighted to welcome Jehan back to the team for his third season with us. His performances last year in FIA F3 were extremely impressive and we really believe in him. There’s no reason why he can’t make it all the way to the top. Without a doubt there will be a lot to learn – both for Jehan as a driver in a more powerful car and also for the team with the new 18-inch wheels but we have a great team ready to meet those challenges.”
Daruvala will be on track in Red Bull colours for the first time early next month when he takes part in official testing at the Bahrain International Circuit from 1st – 3rd March. Bahrain will also host the first race of the season from 20th – 22nd March.
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