Jehan Daruvala To Make His Formula 3 Debut Next Year

Making India proud in motorsport, Mumbai-based driver Jehan Daruvala has confirmed his participation in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. The Sahara Force India Academy racer has joined team Carlin for the 2017 season and takes another step, as he aims to drive in the coveted Formula One series one day.

Speaking on signing his deal with Carlin, Jehan Daruvala said, "My first two years in single seaters have been a fantastic learning experience. After finishing in the top five in the Formula Renault NEC in 2015 and 2016, and having finished 2nd in the Toyota Racing Series this year, I am confident of stepping up to the highly competitive FIA F3 European Championship."

Jehan Daruvala Formula 3

Jehan's entry into Formula 3 comes after two seasons in Formula Renault. The 18-year-old driver has had 11 podium finishes across Europe and went on to participate in numerous Formula 3 tests after completion of the two seasons. Jehan eventually signed a deal with Carlin, after consistently being one of the fastest drivers during their tests.

The move marks as a major stepping stone in Jehan's career, with Formula 3 considered to be one of the most important rungs on the ladder to F1. Drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, the newest and recently retired world champion Nico Rosberg; Michael Schumacher and even Max Verstappen, all honed their skills with Formula 3, before moving to the premier class.

Jehan Daruvala

"I really enjoy driving the Formula 3 car, as I feel that the high downforce seems to suit my driving style. I am happy with how testing has been so far and I am really looking forward to my first season of Formula 3. It has been great working with Carlin, they are one of the best in the business. I must also thank Sahara Force India for all their vital support," Jehan added further.

The Formula 3 championship will consist of 30 races over ten weekends and will visit some of the iconic F1 circuits in addition to two street circuits at Pau and Norisring. Jehan's car for the race will belt out around 240bhp of power, while weighing a meager 565 kg (driver included). Each round will have three races preceded by two practice sessions of 40 minutes each and two qualifying sessions of 20 minutes each.

Carlin has an illustrious history in motorsport with over 330 race wins across different racing series. Some of the high profile F1 drivers to have raced with Carlin include Rosberg, Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, Daniil Kvyat and even Narain Karthikeyan, the first Indian representative.

Jehan Daruvala Formula Renault

Team boss, Trevor Carlin added, "It's fantastic to have Jehan on board with us for 2017. He has already tested with us in the Formula Three car and I have no doubt he will be competitive from the outset in his rookie season in the championship. Once again it's going to be a really close season of racing but Jehan is a strong addition to the team and we're already looking forward to the first weekend of the 2017 FIA Formula Three European Championship."

Prior to commence his maiden F3 season, Jehan will also race in the 2017 Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand. The driver had multiple victories in the championship and was the overall runner-up in his maiden participation racing series this year.

Jehan started his motorsport career at the age of 11 in karting in 2009, before winning his first national title a year later. He remains the first and only Indian to win the CIK FIA Asia Pacific KF3 Championship and the British KF3 Championship, and is the only India to have stood on the podium of any motorsporting event, having finished as the second runner up of the 2014 World Karting Championship. He moved to Formula Renault in 2015, winning the first place rookie trophy in his debut event, while his maiden victory in cars came in the 2016 Toyota Racing Series, which he finished as the overall runner up.