Sahara Force India Academy Racer Jehan Daruvala has announced his commitment to participate in three different racings series in 2016 as he enters his second year of Formula car racing. He will continue racing the Formula Renault 2.0 in the NEC series, while also competing in the entire Formula Renault Eurocup. Prior to this, the teenager from Mumbai will participate in the Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand next month.
Daruvala made the step up from karting to cars earlier this year and impressed at his debut event by winning the best rookie trophy. He soon went on to earn podiums, fastest laps and pole positions as well. He finished the season second in the Rookie standings.
The 2016 season for Daruvala will start off in New Zealand in January. He will compete for M2 Competition, the current champions, in the highly competitive Toyota Racing Series. Daruvala will vie for the title over fifteen races in five consecutive weekends with some of the best upcoming racers in the world.
Importantly, current Formula Renault 2.0 champions – Josef Kaufmann Racing have signed on Daruvala to race for them in the Formula Renault 2.0 in Europe. The illustrious team has propelled the careers of numerous F1 drivers the notable ones being – Gerhard Berger and current Sahara Force India driver – Nico Hulkenberg.
Daruvala will compete in both the NEC series and the Eurocup in the Renault 2.0 car. Each series will be conducted over seven separate rounds. Crucially for Daruvala, he will be able to learn the Formula 1 circuits as each series will run at six current or former Formula 1 circuits. The highlight of these will be when Daruvala will race at the famed Monaco street circuit in the support race for the main Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix.
Coincidentally, Daruvala’s teammate in New Zealand and Europe will be former world karting champion Lando Norris. Both were also teammates in karting when Daruvala finished third in the World Karting Championship in 2014.
“We were very impressed with Jehan’s performance this year. We arranged for a test with him and we were really happy with how we worked together. We are confident that we will be running up front in 2016,” said Josef Kaufmann, boss and owner of Daruvala’s new team.
Daruvala, who will compete in a minimum of nineteen race weekends in 2016, said: “I am looking forward to an early start with the series in New Zealand in 2016. It’s great that I have a very competitive teammate. I am sure that we will be able to push each other to keep improving. I would like to thank the Sahara Force India Academy for their vital and continuing support.”
