Return to PREMA felt like the ‘natural choice’ for Daruvala

After enjoying a successful title challenge together in the 2019 Formula 3 campaign, Jehan Daruvala and PREMA Racing parted ways, with the Indian joining Carlin in Formula 2 and the Italian squad promoting F3 champion Robert Shwartzman into their one available F2 seat. Reuniting for 2022, Daruvala has revealed that he never lost touch with the team.

After two seasons with Carlin, Daruvala has opted to re-sign with PREMA, joining 2021 F3 winner Dennis Hauger as part of a new-look line-up. Having watched the team take the Drivers’ and Teams’ title two years running, Daruvala says he’s excited to get started.

“I never stopped being in contact with Prema,” said Daruvala. “After the very successful 2019 season in Formula 3 that we enjoyed together, we always stayed in contact and when the opportunity presented itself, it felt like the natural choice.

“PREMA have been very successful in every category they’ve participated in, so I’m definitely excited and looking forward to what this year brings. The first time I returned was when I went to the team’s garage for post-season testing in Abu Dhabi. It was like I’d never left. We share a great relationship and we got to work straight away.”

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Daruvala took two wins and seven podiums as he finished third in the 2019 F3 championship, recently naming his back-to-back victories with the team that season as his favourite racing memory.

Finishing 12th and sixth in his first two seasons of F2, the 23-year-old enjoyed consistent progress with Carlin and now believes he’s ready to fight for the title.

“For sure, I have improved overall as a driver,” he continued. “I would say where I have improved the most over the two years are my race starts and racecraft. The tests with PREMA went positively, we were fast on both short and long runs.

“We got through everything we wanted to test, and most importantly, I felt comfortable in the car straight away and that gives me good confidence for the season.”

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Asked whether his move to the reigning champions would come with increased pressure, Daruvala replied: “There is always pressure, but I look at it more as an opportunity to reach my ultimate dream of going to Formula 1.

“I’ll be racing with a champion team and I’m part of the Red Bull Junior program - that gives me the best opportunity.”