Greater Noida: Sahara Force India academy driver Jehan Daruvala is just 16 years old but he is already being tipped as the next big thing in Indian motorsports and the Silverstone-based F1 team owner Vijay Mallya wants to nurture him just like the way McLaren nurtured Lewis Hamilton.
Jehan, the brightest talent to emerge from Sahara Force India's "One From A Billion" programme, shot to limelight recently by winning the competitive British Karting Championship with two podium finishes in Shenington, UK.
Mallya was quick to identify the Mumbai lad's calibre when he said that Jehan has the potential to become a world-class Formula One driver.
"Ever since I bought Sahara Force India and put an Indian team on board, I have been constantly bombarded with questions on when we would have an Indian driver in the cockpit of our car. I said that we would find a driver with potential to become a top-class driver," said Mallya at the Buddh International Circuit on Saturday.
"I am pleased and filled with joy to share with you that we have found an Indian, who certainly has all the talent and all the makings of becoming a top-class F1 driver in due course of time.
"Jehan joined the Sahara Force India Academy through a selection process in 2011 and then immediately showed his talent by winning the Asia Pacific Karting Championship in 2012 and now he has become the first-ever Indian to win the British KF3 Championship. The competition there was fierce.
There is a lot of talent out there. England being the home of motorsports, the competition is toughest out there. Jehan has done the nation proud," he added.
Mallya, however, said he was in no mood to rush Jehan into the pinnacle of motorsports - Formula One.
"He still has a long way to go but he is going in the right direction. He has shown his talent. Now we need to nurture him. Hopefully, one day we will welcome him into the cockpit of Force India," Sahara Force India team principal said.
"He has to go thorough the ladder. I am not going to rush him into something which is detrimental to his career. Like McLaren nursed Lewis, we will nurse him along."
Jehan, an avid fan of Ferrari's driver Fernando Alonso, had also won the CIK FIA Asia Pacific Championship in Macau last year.
He credits his success to the Sahara Force India academy and his driver coach Terry Fullerton.
"I would like to thank the Force India Academy for giving me the chance. I have worked really hard and with the help of the academy and my driver coach Terry Fullerton I have progressed a long way," he said.
"I am proud to have him (Terry) as my driver coach. He is a world renowned driver coach. Last year I was nothing compared to what I am now. He has given me lot of self confidence and that has helped me in a big way this season.
"Since I joined the academy my life changed. They provided me with the best," added Jehan, who is being sponsored by the Force India team.
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