Prema Powerteam announced its second signing for the 2019 FIA Formula 3 Championship with Jehan Daruvala joining the Italian outfit.
Daruvala becomes the second signing for Prema after Ferrari junior Marcus Armstrong for the new F3 series which replaces the GP3 Series from 2019 onward as a support event to Formula 1 and Formula 2.
The Indian moves away from Carlin with whom he contested the FIA European Formula 3 Championship for two seasons in 2017 and 2018 – finishing sixth and 10th respectively with two wins and six podiums in all.
“The new F3 series is going to be very exciting and a different experience for me,” said Daruvala. “Driving on an F1 weekend, on Pirelli tyres and an expected grid of 30 drivers, is going to be fun and challenging.
“I am extremely excited and proud to begin this journey with Prema and I am confident that we can achieve great results together. I would like to thank Prema for having the confidence in me and giving me the opportunity to be a part of this successful team.”
Team principal Rene Rosin added: “Jehan is definitely a promising prospect. We have known and respected each other for a while now and we are happy that all the dots finally connected to start what we expect to be a great relationship.
“He always impressed when he had the right chance in the past, and our goal will be to put him in the right position to express his full potential. We are confident that he will make great progress while providing us with valuable insight heading into the challenging season ahead.”
Although this will be his third year in F3 but racing on Pirelli tyres during a F1 weekend will be hugely different to what he has been used to so far. For any driver continuing in F3 this year from European F3, it will be a new challenge.
So far he has represented the Force India academy in his previous seasons but with the team no longer in F1 after the buyout by Racing Point, it is more or less certain that he will race individually without any support of a F1 outfit.
2019 F3 line-up so far:
Prema – Marcus Armstrong, Jehan Daruvala
Jenzer – Yuki Tsunoda
HitechGP – Juri Vips
[Read: 2019 F3 calendar]