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Force India's 'One in a Billion' initiative has now selected 3 young drivers from the thousands of applications it received. Tarun Reddy from Chennai, Arjun Maini from Bengaluru and Jehan Daruvala from Mumbai have been selected and their careers are now being mentored by the Sahara Force India Academy.

The three young boys are well known in the Indian Karting circles and have proved their metal in India as well as abroad. The Sahara Force India Academy plans to support these youngsters through the various levels of Motorsport with the final aim of making them Formula 1 drivers. This is a great opportunity for the 3 youngsters and we wish them luck for their future careers.

Currently, they are competing in the British Super One Championship, Britain’s premier kart championship incorporating the KF3 Class MSA British Championships for juniors. KF3 is an international CIK class using a medium power 125cc water-cooled engine with an electric self-starter and centrifugal clutch. With a standard chassis, single rear brake and bodywork, the karts are capable of producing speeds of up to 115km/h.

It’s the ideal proving ground for aspiring racers and has helped produce numerous Formula One stars, including current Sahara Force India racer, Paul Di Resta. Arjun, Tarun and Jehan's 2012 KF3 Academy programme will be managed on behalf of Sahara Force India by Ricky Flynn with karts painted in the familiar colours of the Indian flag. They will have legendary kart champion, Terry Fullerton, as their mentor and driver coach, while Louis Di Resta, father of Paul, will help coordinate the project. Together they bring vast knowledge and experience of karting at the highest level.

The Academy initiative was designed to identify and nurture young Indian talent to prepare them for careers as future Formula One drivers. Having impressed the judges with their driving ability, fitness levels and media skills, the three teenagers now have the chance to race in one of the most competitive karting championships in Europe.


Round One Report
The first round of the season took place at PF International Circuit near Grantham in Lincolnshire last weekend. In mixed weather conditions the boys were unable to break into the top ten of the final, but gained valuable experience of racing in the wet – their first race in such conditions. The boys will look to deliver a more competitive showing in the remaining six rounds of the series, starting at Whilton Mill Circuit near Daventry, UK, on 12th of May.


Driver Profiles:

14-year-old Arjun Maini was the winner of the One From A Billion hunt last year. Originally from Bangalore, he has six years of karting experience under his belt having competed in India’s Rotax Championship. As a keen sportsman he also excels at table tennis.

Tarun Reddy is also 14 years old and lives in Chennai. Like Arjun, he has raced in the Rotax Kart Championship and enjoys keeping fit by playing sports including squash. He was selected as the first runner-up of the One From A Billion hunt.

Jehan Daruvala is the youngest of the three Academy racers at just 13 years of age. A resident of Mumbai, he has karted extensively over the last three years and raced in the CIK FIA World Championship last year. An impressive performance in the finals of the talent hunt saw the judges award him the position of second runner-up.

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Here is to wishing them and the program the best of luck.

Hoping to see more programs like this to put Indian talent on the map.