Indian racer Jehan Daruvala opened his bid for his first Formula 2 title with a second-placed finish in the sprint race of the championship’s first round here. Daruvala, 23, who races for Prema Racing and is a member of the Red Bull Junior team, had started fourth after qualifying seventh under the championship’s reverse grid rules.

Jehan’s season-opening podium was founded on a good start. He was up to third straight away and, after fending off fellow Red Bull junior Liam Lawson in the Carlin, he set about in pursuit of second-placed Ralph Boschung. “We definitely have a lot of positives to take. Finishing second in the first race of the year is a good start,” Jehan said.