The Indian Jehan Daruvala put up a strong defense on the way to his second race win of the Formula 2 season 2021 on Saturday.

After qualifying from 10th place for the main race, the 23-year-old from Mumbai started the sprint race from pole position in reverse grid position.

The Indian, who drove for Carlin, was able to maintain his position well on the first lap before Felipe Drugovich put him under tremendous pressure for most of the 23-lap race.

Jehan pulled away towards the end and crossed the checkered flag two seconds ahead of the Brazilian Drugovich. The Australian Oscar Piastri secured the Formula 2 title with third place in his rookie year, alongside Formula 1 drivers like Charles Leclerc and George Russell, who won the Feeder Series in their debut season.

It was a much-needed victory for Jehan after the disappointment in Saudi Arabia last week. He would like to keep his seat in the Red Bull Junior Driver Program and complete a third season in Formula 2 in order to have a chance at a Formula 1 drive in 2023.

All places are fixed for the Formula 1 season 2022. The sprint win was Jehan’s third of his Formula 2 career after Bahrain last year and Monza earlier this year.

“After a disappointing weekend in Jeddah, where I didn’t get a lot of points, I came back to the top, so it’s good to start the weekend with a win. We weren’t too strong in qualifying, but our race pace looked pretty strong.

“I had a great fight with Felipe (Drugovich) once and we were side by side for a few corners, but I managed to prevail up front. The car felt good and I just drove it to the checkered flag.

“Congratulations to Oscar (Piastri), I didn’t think I’d see him on the podium from 10th place, but kudos to him, he dominated the whole year,” Jehan told the Formula 2 website.