Jehan Daruvala claims impressive second place in Monaco Sprint Race, securing 18th F2 Podium finish

Jehan Daruvala showcased his skill and determination in the Monaco Sprint Race, securing a commendable second-place finish and earning his 18th career Formula 2 podium result. While the Indian driver closely trailed the race winner Ayumu Iwasa, a tire pressure issue in the closing laps dashed Daruvala’s hopes of victory.

Starting the reverse grid Sprint Race from third position, Daruvala capitalized on his strong qualifying performance and began the race behind Isack Hadjar and Iwasa. Hadjar initially held the lead but encountered a mechanical issue on Lap 6, clearing the way for Daruvala to challenge Iwasa for the top spot.

By the halfway point of the race, Daruvala had closed the gap to Iwasa to a mere 0.7 seconds, putting him in a promising position. With Jak Crawford trailing by around seven seconds, it seemed that Daruvala had a strong chance at claiming victory. However, a late-race Safety Car period abruptly erased his advantage and altered the dynamics of the race.

As the race resumed, Iwasa seized the opportunity and maintained his lead, while Daruvala found himself dropping behind. In a post-race interview, the MP Motorsport driver revealed that his car had suffered from both tire pressure and brake issues in the final laps, significantly hampering his performance. Despite his disappointment at missing out on victory, Daruvala expressed satisfaction at standing on the podium in Monaco, acknowledging the significance of the achievement. He commended his own efforts, highlighting his ability to keep his race clean and manage it effectively, ultimately securing a well-deserved second-place finish.

For Kush Maini, the Monaco Sprint Race proved to be a challenging affair. Starting from 12th on the grid, Maini found himself caught up in traffic early on. Unfortunately, contact from behind by Clément Novalak sent Maini into a spin, disrupting his race rhythm. Nevertheless, Maini showcased resilience and managed to recover, ultimately crossing the finish line in 14th place.

Looking ahead, Maini will have another opportunity to make his mark in the Feature Race, starting from 12th on the grid. Meanwhile, Daruvala will begin the race from eighth position, aiming to build on his strong performance in the Sprint Race. With the eight points collected in the Monaco Sprint Race, Daruvala climbed to sixth place in the drivers’ standings, trailing Maini by just one point.