Indian racing driver Jehan Daruwalla is gearing up for his second Formula 1 Test, as he tests McLaren’s 2021 Formula 1 title challenger – the MCL35M – in Portimao, Portugal next week. Daruwalla recently got his first taste of a Formula 1 car when he Tested the MCL35M at Silverstone Before the 2022 British Grand Prix weekend. IndyCar driver Colton Herta and McLaren Test and Development driver Will Stevens drive the 2021 Formula 1 car this week, and Daruwalla will drive the car on July 18 and 19, 2022, as part of McLaren’s Testing Past Car (TPC) programme.
Jehan Daruwalla testing the McLaren MCL35M at Silverstone
“My first taste of Formula One machinery was surreal and I can’t wait to get back in the car again at Portimao,” Jahan said of the upcoming test. “I came away from the Silverstone test with a lot of confidence as I did well from both a driving and physical point of view and went over two race distances completely hassle-free”. “I am grateful to both Red Bull and McLaren for giving me this opportunity and for continuing to support my development,” he said.
Mumbai Falcons, who are backing Jahan’s Formula 2 title bid, said, “The second McLaren Test is another milestone in Jahn’s journey to Formula One.” “Our mission is to showcase the best of Indian motorsport talent to the world and we are proud to support Jahan as he pursues his dream of becoming only the third Indian to race in F1.”
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Jehan Daruwalla drove 130 laps of the Silverstone circuit in an F1 car, more than twice the distance of the British Grand Prix in a span of 2 days. Daruwalla is now eligible for a Formula 1 Superlicense, having achieved sufficient Superlicense points while racing in the Feeder Series and driving the minimum required mileage in a Formula 1 car in the first test. Daruwalla is currently part of the Red Bull Junior team and is racing in Formula 2 for Prema Racing. The Indian ace is currently ranked fourth in the championship, as he Received a 20-second time penalty for a start process violation In the last Formula 2 race, he was dropped from race winning position to P12.