Daruvala will take over the simulator work for Mahindra and also participate in several Formula E races.
Jehan Daruvala is taking the next step in his motorsport journey and has been contracted as Mahindra Racing’s reserve driver for the upcoming 2023 Formula E season. The Indian racer will take on simulator work to help the car development team.
- Daruvala will conduct simulation work at Mahindra’s Banbury HQ
- Season 9 starts in January 2023
Mahindra Racing signs Daruvala as reserve driver
As the only Indian outfit on the grid, it makes sense for Mahindra Racing to include Daruvala in its rider list. The upcoming season, which begins in January 2023, will be the first to feature new Gen3 car. Former Formula E champion Lucas di Grassi joins the team as its new controller, alongside Oliver Rowland.
Speaking to Autocar India earlier this year, Daruvala expressed his desire to continue exploring more single-seater models. As part of his reserve driver role with Mahindra Racing, he will conduct simulation work alongside Mahindra engineers and will also be on standby should Grassi or Rowland be unable to race for any reason. what reason.
There are also plans for Daruvala to participate in a number of races, including India’s first Formula E race – the Hyderabad E-Prix on February 11th.
“Being part of the Indian motorsport team is a dream come true. Formula E is very competitive and I am really excited about this new chapter in my career. Season 9 promises to be very exciting with the all-new Gen 3 car and I look forward to learning and contributing, especially to car development and to support the team,” said Daruvala.
Mahindra Racing President Asha Kharga added, “We are delighted to welcome Jehan to our team. As a founding member, Mahindra Racing has gone to great lengths to promote Formula E globally and we are delighted to bring a young, accomplished Indian racer to the great sport. this. Jehan, with his experience and results in single-seaters, will add a wealth of knowledge to our development program.”
Jehan Daruvala’s career
Daruvala quickly climbed the single-seater ladder. 2022 is his third year racing in Formula 2. He finished the seventh season overall, with eight podiums and a victory at Monza.
Seventh place in the second year of the run was probably not the result the Indians were looking for. However, he has made several appearances in F1 testing as part of McLaren’s Test of Old Cars (TPC) programme. As a result, now he eligible for the FIA Super Licenseneeded to race in F1.
It is likely that Daruvala will also continue to race, along with his Formula E reserve role. However, it is yet to be confirmed whether he will continue in F2 or look elsewhere.
Mahindra Racing’s New Formula E Chapter
After some difficult seasons, Mahindra Racing opted for a major overhaul of management. Former director of the FIA’s Formula E and Innovation Sports Project, Frederic Bertrandhas been announced as the team’s new CEO, replacing Dilbagh Gill.
In addition, it will also provide powertrains developed by ZF for ABT Sports Line, when the team returns to Formula E in 2023 after a year. Both sides are also collaborating on software and development. This means Mahindra will now have access to data from four cars, which could prove to be key as it grows.
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