The progression from Formula 2 to Formula 1 is not a straightforward one, with much more than race results playing a part in deciding who gets picked up by an F1 team.
F2 champions like Oscar Piastri and Nyck de Vries have had to patiently wait for their chances in F1, while the likes of Nikita Mazepin, who finished fifth, get the call up instead.
One driver who is still competing in F2 with the hopes of moving to Formula 1 is Jehan Daruvala, who has now signed for MP Motorsport after spells with Carlin and Prema Racing.
The Indian will have to do it without Red Bull’s backing from here on out however, as the energy drink giants have decided to cut ties with Daruvala after three years working together.
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At MP Motorsport, the 24-year-old will be partnered with Dennis Hauger, who will remain a part of the Red Bull system for the 2023 campaign.
While Daruvala has said that he accepts Red Bull’s decision to let him go, he has admitted that his main goal for 2023 is to beat Hauger and prove Red Bull wrong.
“The decision wasn’t a surprise for me – it was pretty straightforward with Red Bull Racing and Dr [Helmut] Marko, there are no hard feelings,” he told Evo.
“We had three great years together. If it wasn’t for the disqualification in Austria, I would’ve still finished third in the drivers’ championship.
“Could that have changed the course for my career? I don’t know. In 2022, I had the best season in Formula 2, from a driving point of view. But I just didn’t have the package under me.
“In the end I was hoping that going to Prema would give me the opportunity to win the championship and go to Formula 1.
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“it is what it is, there were no results, so it was natural for the relationship to end. My goal is to beat [Hauger] as much as I can and prove that I should’ve been on the programme.”
Yuki Tsunoda is the most recent example of the Red Bull system working, with the Japanese driver now entering his third season with AlphaTauri, with a move to Red Bull his long-term goal.
Should the F1 dream not work out for Daruvala, the Indian has admitted that Formula E may be the most appealing option for him moving forward.