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Academy Driver Jehan Daruvala showed his class as he tore through the European Karting Championships field to finish fourth – after starting 16th.
Sahara Force India Academy Driver Jehan Daruvala delivered an inspired performance in the main final at the CIK European KF3 Championships last weekend. The Indian talent recovered from some opening heats marred by bad luck to finish an impressive fourth at the flag.
After qualifying 31st, Jehan had mixed luck in the heats, being hit by a rival competitor in the first race and receiving a time penalty in the fifth; at the same time, the Academy driver also showed brilliance, running very consistently in the second heat and pulling some decisive overtaking moves in the third.
Jehan was on the receiving end of more bad luck in the pre-final, when he was hit by another driver after a very good start that saw him go from 13th to fifth; he was able to salvage his race and finish eighth.
Starting 16th in the final, Jehan delivered a blistering start which saw him 12th by the second turn, after which the Academy driver put his head down and put in a string of overtaking moves. Jehan’s comeback culminated in a beautiful move for fourth place in turn three – the most difficult of the track.
Driver coach and mentor Terry Fullerton was ecstatic about Jehan’s performance: “Jehan delivered a fantastic performance. He consistently returned lap times that were faster than the leaders in what was almost certainly the outstanding drive of the Championship.”
Fullerton’s delight was reflected by Jehan himself: “I was happy with the end result as I finished fourth in one of the biggest races I have driven, starting the final that far back on the grid. I am happy and confident for the next round of the British Championship.”
