Jaan hai toh Jehan hai!

Teenager Jehan Daruvala’s tryst with motorsport began at the age of seven at a Go-Karting track in Powai. Initially, he required cushions behind the back to reach the accelerator. Once he put his foot on the accelerator, his love with speed began. He participated in Go-Karting competitions and exactly a decade later, the 17-year-old racer needs no cushions at the professional circuit to set the tracks on fire. It all began with participation in the JK Tyre National Championship in the same category in mid 2009. He finished in the top five that year. In 2010, Jehan was the JK Tyre Rookie Champion in the micro-max category. Thereafter, he was crowned National Champion in the micro-max category, JK Tyre FMSCI National Championship 2010.

Jehan, through a wild card entry, was the youngest of the 100 contestants who qualified for the “One from a billion” programme held by Sahara Force India Formula One Team. Thereafter, Jehan was selected as one of the three drivers to race in the UK for the Sahara Force India Academy, in the Superone series (UK National Championships). He proved his mettle by complete domination in the last round of the UK National KF3 series.

Jehan’s performance earned him a place as the first and only inductee in the Sahara Force India Formula One Team Driver Academy for 2013. Under the expert guidance of his coach, former world karting champion Terry Fullerton and the support from his team Ricky Flynn Motorsport, Jehan learnt new techniques and was crowned champion in the series that year.

He is currently busy with the 2016 EuroCup Formula Renault 2.0 for his team Josef Kaufmann Racing. Jehan feels his career is on the right track and he isn’t in a hurry to realise his F1 dream.

“As far as my career progression goes, I believe that it is on the right track. If you want to be a competitive Formula 1 driver and aim to have a long career in the sport, it is important to ensure that you do not skip any step along the way. Right from my years in karting and the two years in single seaters, I have competed in racing series which most of the current formula 1 drivers have been through,” says Jehan.

“My karting career went well — winning the British Championship, Asia Pacific Championship and a third place in the World Championships. The move to single seaters has been good as I finished fifth in the NEC last year (my first year in single seaters) and second in the Toyota Racing Series this year. My target is to drive in Formula 1 in 2020,” he added.

Jehan is still part of the Sahara Force India Academy and at the moment, the youngster is still on a learning curve. “There is so much for me to learn over the next few years before I can make that stop. I will continue to race in the most competitive series including the European F3, GP3 and GP2 to hone my skills and gain the experience that is required to make it to F1,” says the asphalt lover adding, “The support from Force India has been fantastic. At an early age, they exposed me to karting in Europe. On their advice, I have raced with the best teams and had the best coaches, mental training, fitness and nutrition programmes. They have given me the same exposure that all successful Formula 1 drivers have had early on,” he added.

To realise his F1 dream, the Bandra boy has lived at a boarding school in the UK for the past few years. He finished his GCSE exams last year and is home schooling now and comes to India for short breaks.

“I was mentored by Rayomand Banajee in my early years in karting. Being a part of his team ensured that I had no difficulty in pursuing the sport in the country. However, since there were not too many races in the country, I had to start racing abroad from my second year. My family has always been my biggest support and I am thankful for that,” he said.

His day starts in the UK with a few hours of studying and working out. A week prior to the race, he is busy with simulator sessions, visits to a mind coach,catching up with friends and bonding with family, Jehan also loves playing football, cricket, badminton and table tennis.

Jehan had a huge crash at a speed of over 200 km at Silverstone last year where his car toppled a few times before landing on the crash barrier upside down. He escaped unhurt. The easygoing lad doesn’t let most things affect him, as focus is key.

Rapid fire

Favourite Hollywood actor? Hugh Jackman.
Favourite destination for holidays? Maldives
Sport you like other than motorsport? Cricket and football.
Favourite cuisine? Thai.
Favourite racer? Fernando Alonso.