Formula 1: Jehan Daruvala to drive for Red Bull? According to the new FIA rules, at least two FP1 sessions should be reserved for rookie drivers in F1 2022 season. Big teams like Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, and others can then choose from a few with race experience. India’s Jehan Daruvala who drives in Formula 2 for Red Bull Racing can be a part of these Free Practice sessions as well. Follow InsideSport.IN for more Formula 1 News and Updates.
Rookie drivers are those “who haven’t participated in more than two F1 World Championship Races during their career”. Teams will give chances to their reserve drivers and if they impress, they can even be in contention for a seat. We take a look at the drivers who can get some track action this year.
Formula 1: India’s Jehan Daruvala could be a part of F1 2022 Free Practice sessions for Red Bull Racing
Mercedes:
The defending Constructors’ Champions can call someone from outside Formula 1 in the form of Nyck de Vries. He won the Formula E World Championship for Mercedes last year. Nyck also had time testing for Mercedes in Abu Dhabi last year, so he is building on his experience.
Frederik Vesti is another option for Mercedes. The young driver joined the Silver Arrows team a year ago. Since then, he has been competing in Formula 3. His regional title in 2019 makes him eligible for a Friday practice if Mercedes chooses to give him the 300km in a representative car that is also required.
Red Bull
Red Bull has the largest number of eligible drivers who can carry out the free practice. All thanks to their young driver program. Drivers need to be starting in the Formula 2 to be eligible for a Friday license. Juri Vips (finished sixth in F2 in 2021), Jehan Daruvala (seventh), Liam Lawson (ninth) are all eligible to qualify.
Formula 1: India’s Jehan Daruvala could be a part of F1 2022 Free Practice sessions for Red Bull Racing
Both Vips and Lawson have completed 300km in an F1 car. They were part of the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi last year for Red Bull and AlphaTauri. Dennis Hauger is the reigning Formula 3 champion and has earned himself enough Super Licence points to be considered. He will now take part in Formula 2 from the upcoming season.
Wearing the tri-colour on my helmet is something that makes me feel very proud and close to home when I’m away racing…
Happy Republic Day everyone!🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/LaDwLdVllZ— Jehan Daruvala (@DaruvalaJehan) January 26, 2022
Formula 1: India’s Jehan Daruvala could be a part of F1 2022 Free Practice sessions for Red Bull Racing
Ferrari
Ferrari has two most experienced young drivers in the form of Mick Schumacher and Antonio Giovinazzi. But, Robert Shwartzman is the most obvious candidate as part of their academy set- up.
Robert was the runner-up in the 2021 season of Formula 2. He also has experience in F1 machinery during the Abu Dhabi test but hasn’t been a part of the FP1 session. Callum IIott is taking a break from Ferrari Driver Academy to take part in IndyCar. He can also be in the picture if he has retained his links within.
McLaren
IndyCar is part of their racing program and McLaren can call the exciting Pato O’Ward. He made his F1 debut during the Abu Dhabi test in December last year. O’Ward has two wins to his name in the IndyCar and also finished third in the championship last year.
Formula 1: India’s Jehan Daruvala could be a part of F1 2022 Free Practice sessions for Red Bull Racing
He was desperate to get a chance in F1 machinery after loving his first taste at the Yas Marina Circuit. Plus he is the only driver signed by McLaren who is eligible. McLaren also shared the reserve drivers with Mercedes last season. However, if that tie-up still is in place, then McLaren can consider Nyck de Vries as well.
Formula 1: India’s Jehan Daruvala could be a part of F1 2022 Free Practice sessions for Red Bull Racing
Alpine
It will be a big shock if Oscar Piastri didn’t fulfill his duties for Alpine. The Australian has impressed everyone in the recent seasons by winning the Formula Renault Eurocup, Formula 3, and Formula 2 titles in consecutive years.
Oscar also didn’t get a race seat for the 2022 season. But, he is the reserve driver for Alpine and the race weekend experience would be extremely useful for him. Alpine also has outside options as well if they need them.
Formula 1: India’s Jehan Daruvala could be a part of F1 2022 Free Practice sessions for Red Bull Racing
Christian Lundgaard will be racing in the IndyCar but it is still unclear how strong his links with Alpine are. He won the Formula Renault Eurocup in 2020 and finished fifth in last year’s Formula 3.
Also Read: Formula 1: Lando Norris extends stay at McLaren F1 team extends until 2023, signs IMPROVED contract
AlphaTauri
They are the sister concern team for Red Bull. So, that means the same pool of drivers will be available for both squads. It is more likely that the less experienced guys will get a chance with AlphaTauri.
Formula 1: India’s Jehan Daruvala could be a part of F1 2022 Free Practice sessions for Red Bull Racing
Aston Martin
Nico Hulkenberg is the reserve driver for Aston Martin as they don’t have a driver academy till now. He has started a few too many races to meet the criteria here. Meanwhile, Nick Yelloly drove in the Abu Dhabi test in his role of simulator driver. But his recent history leaves him without enough points for a Friday license.
Williams
Logan Sergeant is the only driver to be confirmed by Williams this year as their reserve driver. He impressed everyone in Formula 3, finishing runner-up in 2020 and seventh last year. He also has three F2 starts under his belt, with a first full season to come. Sergeant also completed a day of testing in Abu Dhabi last year.
Formula 1: India’s Jehan Daruvala could be a part of F1 2022 Free Practice sessions for Red Bull Racing
Jack Aitken was the reserve driver last year and is also eligible after just one Grand Prix so far. Roy Nissany also has race starts in F2 and is experienced with an F1 car. But both of them have not been confirmed for the 2022 season so far.
Formula 1: India’s Jehan Daruvala could be a part of F1 2022 Free Practice sessions for Red Bull Racing
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo has a clear standout talent in the form of Theo Pourchaire. He has been impressing the team over the past few seasons. He is just 18 years of age, having won French F4 in 2018. He also won the German F4 the year later and was also the runner-up in his debut F3 season.
Theo also finished fifth in Formula 2 last year. He is a member of the Sauber Junior Team and is highly rated by the Team Principal, Frederic Vasseur. The other option for Alfa Romeo is Robert Shwartzman as he is from Ferrari who supplies power units to Alfa Romeo.
Haas
Haas has two strong candidates for the FP1 outings this year. Pietro Fittipaldi is eligible as he started the final two races of 2020 in the place of injured Romain Grosjean. He impressed everyone on the team and continues to do so when testing for Haas. He still remains their reserve driver heading into the 2022 season.
Haas’ close collaboration with Ferrari means Robert Shwartzman can also get a chance. He had tested for Haas for the first time in Abu Dhabi last year.
Formula 1: India’s Jehan Daruvala could be a part of F1 2022 Free Practice sessions for Red Bull Racing
Editors pick
