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Sahara Force India Academy driver Jehan Daruvala stepped into motorsport history as the Formula Renault 2.0 NEC series moved to the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium. The highly challenging circuit, which is also host to the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, is very difficult for drivers to get right in their first race, but this didn't seem to pose a problem for the young Mumbaikar.
Jehan performed well in practice, setting the second fastest time in the first session. He went a position higher in the second session, which saw him on top of the time sheets with a lap time of 2:19.093, almost half a second ahead of his teammate Habsburg.
Qualifying proved to be much tougher for the young Indian. Jehan managed to place himself sixth on the grid for both races of the weekend, with the highly competitive field now boasting 25 cars.
In race one, the very evenly-matched drivers in the top seven saw only one overtaking move in the entire race as opportunities were few and far between. With two laps left, Jehan attempted a move on Ukyo Sasahara in front of him. However, with the pair travelling at more than 240kmh, the Japanese driver squeezed Jehan, who was forced to back off after putting two wheels into the grass. With just one lap left, the Indian racer did not get another opportunity to attack. The race was won by Defourny.
Race two, unfortunately, was a complete washout. Torrential rain, such a common occurrence in the Ardennes forest, hit the circuit, creating conditions the race directors deemed to be very risky. The race therefore started under the safety car and, with no improvement in conditions, ended this way. All drivers finished in their qualifying position, Deletraz awarded the win, with Jehan in sixth.
“It’s not an ideal result, but considering it was my first race at this historic circuit, I am happy with my pace," said the Sahara Force India Academy driver after the event. "It was difficult to overtake in the first race and, with the race starting and finishing behind the safety car in race two, the result was based on qualifying. Once again I have learnt a lot at this circuit. I look forward to some good races at the next weekend.”
The NEC series now moves to the Netherlands to the Assen circuit where Jehan will be returning behind the wheel for his debut season.
