This is the first time the Indian National Anthem was played at an F2 podium proper, considering Karun Chandhok who won two races in its past avatar, the GP2 series.
Indian driver Jehan Daruvala scripted history when he became the first Indian to clinch a Formula 2 race during the Sakhir Grand Prix on Sunday. An exciting battle against F2 champion Mick Schumacher and Daniel Ticktum witnessed the 22-year-old arise on top in the support race of the season-ending Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Jehan hails from Mumbai but moved to London at 13 and completed his GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education). In London, he converted his desire for speed by taking to go-karting. The young prodigy learned the sport quickly. After winning several titles in go-karting, he was then selected as one of the three winners of the Sahara Force India Formula One Team Academy’s ‘One From A Billion’ Hunt.
Five year back, Jehan made himself into single-seaters, with the Fortec Motorsport team for the Formula Renault 2.0 Championships. In 2016 he switched to Germany’s Josef Kaufmann Racing, where he received his first pole position and won the Northern European Cup, finishing fourth overall.
Just two years back, the 22-year-old hit a career milestone by signing Prema Racing, one of the most successful racing teams in F3 circuit. This gave him a chance to drive powerful cars. After hitting a few technical snags, he won the opening round of the FIA Formula 3 Championship in Barcelona, making India proud. Fast forward to February this year, Jehan signed with Carlin to race for the Red Bull Junior Team in FIA Formula 2.
"Motorsport is pretty big in India. We obviously have a lot of people, so I have a big fanbase back home. My goal at the end of the day is to do myself proud but also do my country proud and to prove to people back home that even though we don't have the same facilities and stuff that guys have in Europe, as long as you can work hard you can fight right at the sharp end of the grid," IANS quoted Daruvala as saying.
Now, Indian fans want the young star to make the big mark. It would be a momentous breakthrough if he makes the step up to Formula One and flourish.
