‘If I can finish in the top 4, it will be a good result’
NEW DELHI: Jehan Daruvala was brimming with optimism after finishing second in the Bahrain Formula 2 season opener in March. It felt as if the 22-year-old had never left the circuit, maintaining the winning momentum having clinched the final race of 2020 on the same track. After such a start, any racer would dream of fighting for the championship, especially after finishing only 12th in his rookie F2 season.
The Carlin driver’s season though didn’t evolve as he’d have liked with only one podium since—third place in Baku. That is until September 11 in Monza, Italy when the Tifosi heard the Indian national anthem and watched Daruvala spray champagne on the top step of the podium after winning Sprint Race 2. Seventh in the standings with 81 points, the Red Bull junior driver from Dadar Parsi Colony in Mumbai has regained confidence. He is aiming for podiums and at least a top-4 finish overall in the feeder championship for F1. He spoke about his season and beyond in a virtual interview from London.
Excerpts:
Finally a win, first this year and second in F2?
I wanted to get back on track in Monza after a long break (two months) and to start off with qualifying on the front row (second) was a big improvement. It makes the whole weekend easier. In Sprint Race 2, I started on the front row, led off the line and from there pretty much controlled the pace. It felt really good to win; it felt a long time coming.
(It’s) especially good. Also because of the type of circuit. It is always difficult to pull away as the leader and win because of the amount of slipstream that is there in Monza.
It does suit me. I am normally quite good on tracks with big braking zones. Also, the strong points of our car are top speed and braking.
What about your future? Is an F1 test coming up?
Right now there’s nothing we spoke about. More concrete decisions about the future will be made after Sochi as it will be such big break. It will be 2-3 weeks after Sochi; we will know more about what I will be doing at the end of 2021 or next year.