Jehan Daruvala begins the season on right note, shows enough pace in season opener

Sakhir (Bahrain), 4 March 2023: Indian hope Jehan Daruvala began the season on a promising note as his MP Motorsport machine showed enough pace as he makes a last-ditch effort in perhaps his final season in Formula 2 World Championship to get noticed by the F1 team.

Mumbai’s Daruvala, who began as one of the favourites last season faded out due to many factors including lack of pace and some unfortunate incidents which were beyond his control. However, the Indian was let down by his own mistakes too in a few of the races.

On Saturday, in the reverse grid, he came through the pack to achieve a P6 finish having started the first Formula 2 Sprint Race of 2023 from 11th on the grid. The MP Motorsport driver was pressuring Théo Pourchaire in the closing stages of the race and threatening a top five finish.

After reflecting on the race and assessing the data, Daruvala says that the result was well earned and a good first step with his new team.

“Today’s result was ok. I think I had a good start, then I had some good battles at the end with Théo. I’d say there was still a little bit to work on for tomorrow, a bit more pace to come. “Honestly, I think we can finish on the podium tomorrow. Let’s see if we can make some improvements for tomorrow. If we have another good start, a good first lap then there’s no reason why we cannot have a top-five (finish) or even a podium.”

His battle with the ART Grand Prix driver ultimately ended in favour of the Frenchman, keeping Daruvala outside the top five. He says that fight was good fun, but that with the tyres already past their best, passing him was just out of reach. “Théo and I were both really struggling at the end with our tyres. I gave it everything, but I just had nothing left. It was a good fight, we were close but never made contact so that was good.”

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s Feature Race further, set to commence as temperatures peak in the early afternoon, the MP driver believes everyone is in for another tough afternoon. Having trailed Pourchaire in the closing stages after saving his tyres earlier in the race, Daruvala already has an idea of what to expect. Even with this knowledge though, the Indian driver says nobody will have an easy time as even he ran into trouble with the tyres by the end of the Sprint.

“I did an okay job at saving the tyres. I could have done better but it was very tricky. I assume tomorrow with the heat, it’s gonna be even hotter and it’s gonna be even tougher. I’m not gonna let any secrets out by saying this but it’s gonna be difficult for everyone and everyone knows that.