F-Renault NEC Austria: Jehan Daruvala scores maiden podium in race one

Force India academy driver Jehan Daruvala secured his maiden podium finish in single seater racing at the first of three races of the Austrian round of Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup (NEC). The round is being held at the 4.326 km long Red Bull Ring, the venue of the Austrian Grand Prix.

Daruvala started the race from third on the grid as the highest placed rookie after two strong qualifying sessions. In the race, Kevin Jorg and pole sitter Louis Deletraz disappeared into the distance owing to their experience, leaving Daruvala in third.

As the race progressed, Callan O’Keeffe started piling pressure on Daruvala for the final spot on the podium. The Indian, however, showed his superb defensive skills to retain his position for over 15 minutes, without running wide at a single occasion.

Following the race, Daruvala complained of understeer from his car in response to queries from his team's engineers.

Jehan Daruvala has had a promising rookie season in NEC that started with an eighth and fourth place finish at the opening round at Monza. He arrived in Austria in 10th place in the championship and his opening race podium takes him to sixth, making him the highest placed rookie driver in the 32-driver field.

The Fortec Motorsport driver starts the remaining two races at the Red Bull Ring in third and 12th places respectively.

Formula Renault 2.0 NEC - Austria race 1 results(Top 10)

1. Kevin Jorg (Josef Kaufmann) 26:22.077
2. Louis Deletraz (Josef Kaufmann) +0.564
3. Jehan Daruvala (Fortec) +12.044
4. Callan O’Keeffe (Fortec) +12.212
5. Alex Gill (Fortec) +12.592
6. Ferdinand Habsburg (Fortec)  +12.897
7. Dries Vanthoor (Josef Kaufmann) +14.202
8. Max Defourny (ART) +15.287
9. Nikita Mazepin (Josef Kaufmann) +16.575
10. 10. Ukyo Sasahara (ART) +18.665