F1 hopeful leaves Red Bull and joins F2 champions

Jehan Daruvala has secured the final spot on the Formula 2 grid for 2023 by signing for MP Motorsports. The four-time Formula 2 race winner (one feature, three sprints) joins Dennis Hauger in making the switch from Prema to Dutch team MP Motorsport. This comes just days after Red Bull's confirmed driver roster showed that Daruvala had not been retained on their development programme. Hauger, however, was retained at Red Bull. The Indian driver had been part of Red Bull since 2020 but, with a three-year stint in F2 yielding a best championship position of P7, he had fallen short of expectations. Daruvala joins the team that secured both the Drivers' and Teams' Championships in 2022, with Felipe Drugovich storming to the title and securing a development driver role with Aston Martin. “I’m really pleased to be back in FIA Formula 2, and to be able to team up with MP Motorsport makes it extra special," commented Daruvala. “Last year, I was stunned by MP’s remarkably consistent front-running pace, and in 2023 I hope to be the beneficiary of that myself! “Together with Dennis, I’m confident that our combined experience and speed will contribute to MP fighting for wins once again. I really enjoyed working with the team in the post-season test and look forward to 2023 testing and the season that lies ahead.” Alongside his F2 season, Daruvala will also be the reserve driver for the Mahindra Formula E team.