Overcoming a poor qualifying and other hurdles, Sahara Force India Academy driver Jehan Daruvala finished an impressive fourth in the final of the CIK European KF3 Championships in Ortona, Italy.
After qualifying 31st in the pre-finals, Jehan was hit by a rival competitor in the first race and also received a time penalty.
However, he recovered well, raced consistently in the second heat and pulled off some decisive overtaking moves in the third.
Jehan was on the receiving end of more bad luck in the pre-final, when he was hit by another driver after a very good start that saw him go from 13th to fifth but he was able to salvage his race and finish eighth.
Starting 16th in the final, Jehan delivered a blistering start which saw him 12th by the second turn, after which the Academy driver put his head down and put in a string of overtaking moves.
Jehan's comeback culminated in a beautiful move for fourth place in turn three, the most difficult of the track.
"I was happy with the end result as I finished fourth in one of the biggest races I have driven, starting the final that far back on the grid. I am happy and confident for the next round of the British Championship," Jehan said.
Driver coach and mentor Terry Fullerton was pleased with Jehan's performance.
"Jehan delivered a fantastic performance. He consistently returned lap times that were faster than the leaders in what was almost certainly the outstanding drive of the Championship," he said.
