Along with Formula 1, the 2022 Formula 2 & Formula 3 seasons are also getting underway this weekend at the Bahrain International Circuit, with an Indian driver in both the junior categories. While Kush Maini is racing for MP Motorsport in Formula 3, Jehan Daruvala – who is often referred to as India’s next hope for Formula 1 – is driving for Prema Racing in Formula 2. Jehan Daruvala has earlier contested in F2 for the last 2 seasons for Carlin racing, and is hoping to win the Formula 2 crown with Prema, which is a much more competitive team and has delivered F2 championships to 3 of their drivers in the last 5 seasons.
Jehan Daruvala will race car no. 2 for the 2022 F2 season.
Photo Credit: Formula Motorsport Limited.
The 2022 season has started well for the Indian driver, as he scored a podium in the opening race of the F2 season. While he only managed a P7 in qualifying, the first of the two races in a Formula 2 weekend is a ‘Sprint Race’, which has reduced points and distance compared to the longer ‘Feature Race’, and has a reverse grid start for the top 10 drivers. This meant that the driver who qualified first started tenth, second started ninth, and so on, resulting in Jehan starting the Sprint Race in P4.
Daruvala got a good start off the line, and was up into P3 before the first corner itself. He battled Campos Racing’s Ralph Boschung and moved up to P2 on lap 16, before losing the position and regaining it in spectacular fashion in the next 2 laps. Though this 3-lap battle provided a great spectacle of racing, it helped Trident’s Richard Verschoor build a decent lead over the pair, allowing him to secure Trident’s first ever F2 win.
Jehan Daruvala finished just 2 seconds behind the race winner Verschoor, and scored 8 important points for what could very well be his ultimate attempt to win the F2 crown and try to secure a Formula 1 seat. He starts today’s ‘Feature Race’ in seventh position, as determined by his qualifying result.
2022 FIA F2 Driver Standings After Bahrain Sprint Race
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richard Verschoor | Trident | 10 |
| 2 | Jehan Daruvala | Prema Racing | 8 |
| 3 | Liam Lawson | Carlin | 6 |
2022 FIA F2 Team Standings After Bahrain Sprint Race
| Pos. | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trident | 10 |
| 2 | Carlin | 9 |
| 3 | Prema Racing | 8 |
Highlights
- Jehan qualified in 7th position and started the Sprint Race in 4th
- He moved up to P3 at the start of the race.
- Daruvala battled with Boschung to finally take P2 on lap 18.
Keyword: F2: Jehan Daruvala Finishes Second In Opening Race Of The Season