Motorsport News
THE YEAR 2019 marked a new era for Indian motorsport after the Federation of Motorsports Clubs of India (FMSCI) was recognized as the national motorsport federation by the government of India. It also allowed Gaurav Gill, a multiple APRC and INRC champion, to be awarded the coveted Arjuna Award in the same year. The Arjuna Award is the highest sporting honour awarded by the government of India for Outstanding Performance in Sports and Games. For 2021, FMSCI announced three nominees for Arjuna, Dronacharya and Khel Ratna awards.
For the Arjuna award, FMSCI nominated 22-year old Jehan Daruvala. Daruvala finished third overall in the 2019 FIA Formula 3 Championship, and is now a part of the Red Bull Junior Team, which competes in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with the Carlin racing team. In 2020, Daruvala finished seventh in the championship, bagging two podiums and one win. He is currently positioned seventh in the ongoing 2021 championship, with two podium finishes to his name. Daruvala also competed in the 2021 F1 Asian Championship where he finished third in overall standings with three wins and eight podium finishes. Musa Sherif, a veteran in the Indian rally scene needs no introduction. The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award nominee plays a vital role as a co-driver/navigator and is in his 30th consecutive year competing in this field. With a total of 296 rallies under his belt as codriver/navigator, Sherif appeared alongside 50 different rally drivers over his career. He is Gaurav Gill’s staple co-driver for national competitions, having teamed up with him 65 times in the past. Sherif also competed at international level total of 67 times. He is an APRC 2 Asia Cup winner, UAE Championship FWD second runner up, and holds 21 championships (including class) wins to his name.
The governing body also nominated its president, Akbar Ebrahim for the Dronacharya award, which is to recognize outstanding coaches in sports and games. Formerly a racing driver himself, Ebrahim mentored many budding Indian racing drivers, most of who flourished at national and international levels.