Mahindra Racing on announced the signing of single-seater ace racer Jehan Daruvala as the team’s 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. He has also driven in F2 and has been part of the Red Bull junior program.
In his role at Mahindra Racing, Jehan will spend time at the team’s Banbury HQ, working on the simulator alongside engineers, providing car development and race support for drivers Lucas Di Grassi and Oliver Rowland. There are plans for him to attend some races, including the team’s inaugural home ePrix in Hyderabad, India scheduled for February 2023.
Official Statement
“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,” Daruvala said. “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.”
Speaking about the signing, Asha Kharga, Chairperson, of Mahindra Racing, stated, “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.”
Jehan’s Career
Jehan, a four-time Formula 2 race winner, and multiple-time podium sitter, has enjoyed an impressive single-seater career. He made a swift rise up the junior formula ladder to step up to the FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2019, where he achieved two wins and finished third in the championship in his rookie year. He was then promoted to FIA Formula 2, where he has been making an impact on track for the past three seasons.
In 2021, he came third in the F3 Asian Championship, racing for Indian outfit Mumbai Falcons. He achieved three race wins and a further five podiums, as well as three pole positions and fastest laps.
Daruvala was already aligned with a major Indian motorsport outfit in the past, having been a Force India junior as one of the three drivers selected in its ‘One From A Billion’ talent evaluation programme.