Photo: Formula Motorsport Ltd
Mahindra’s Formula E reserve driver Jehan Daruvala has decided to stay in Formula 2 for a fourth season, and will race for MP Motorsport.
The 24-year-old has won three sprint races and one feature race over his first three years in the championship, and came seventh in each of the past two seasons. He spent his first two years in F2 with Carlin, then drove for Prema in 2022.
Daruvala joined MP for last year’s post-season test at Yas Marina Circuit, and was second fastest on the second morning of testing. He follows his Prema team-mate Dennis Hauger to MP, although the pair will not both have Red Bull-liveried cars now as Daruvala has left the Red Bull Junior Team for 2023.
“I’m really pleased to be back in F2, and to be able to team up with MP Motorsport makes it extra special,” said Daruvala.
“Last year, I was stunned by MP’s remarkably consistent front-running pace, and in 2023 I hope to be the beneficiary of that myself. Together with Dennis, I’m confident that our combined experience and speed will contribute to MP fighting for wins once again.
“I really enjoyed working with the team in the post-season test and look forward to 2023 testing and the season that lies ahead.”
MP had a stunning 2022, with a spree of technical hires from Prema over the last few years culminating in double title success in F2 and improved form in Formula 3.
“We are delighted to welcome Jehan to our F2 team,” said MP’s team principal Sander Dorsman.
“He has been a consistent frontrunner right from his debut in the category, taking wins in every F2 season he has competed in. His experience will be of great value to the team, so we are very much aiming for a repeat of last year’s form. Also, matching him up with Dennis will allow us to build on a smooth co-operation between team-mates who already know each other well. With such a strong driver pairing for 2023, I can’t wait to go racing.”
Highlights of Daruvala’s career below F2 include wins in Formula Renault 2.0, the Toyota Racing Series, Formula Regional Asia and the FIA’s European F3 and current Formula 1-supporting F3 championship.