- LATEST
- WEBSTORY
- TRENDING
SPORTS
India's Arjun Maini joins Haas F1 as development driver
The teenager becomes the third Indian to be part of an F1 squad after Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok
Updated : Nov 19, 2017, 04:44 AM IST
 "Arjun Maini")
TRENDING NOW
)
Meet man, who made first mobile call in India from Nokia 29 years ago, it cost Rs...
)
Shillong Teer Results TODAY November 19, 2024 Live Updates: Check lucky winning numbers
)
Shilpa Shetty breaks down, Salman Khan cancels shoot; celebs rush to Lilavati hospital after Baba Siddique shot dead
)
This man owns world's most expensive private jet, not Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, he is...
)
Meet Ajay Devgn, Akshay's heroine who gave 7 flops, 0 hits in 6 years, got trolled for her singing; now turned YouTuber
)
Abhishek Bachchan's biggest flop film was made for Rs 45 crores, actress never worked with him again, it earned only..
)
Meet Imsha Rehman, Pakistani TikTok star who deactivated her accounts after video leak and Minahil Malik's MMS
)
India break Pakistan's massive T20I world record, become first team in world to...
)
7 times XXX, Gandii Baat actress Aabha Paul crashed the internet by flaunting her sexy curves
)
After Imsha Rehman, Minahil Malik, THIS Indonesian celeb's private video leaked online
)
Dilip Joshi to leave Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah? Report claims he held Asit Modi's collar in massive fight after...
)
India's biggest hit film released in 1988, made heroine a superstar after 10 flop films, is related to SRK, earned Rs..
)
India's largest govt bank loses Rs 34984 crore in 4 days due to...
)
Meet Madhuri, Karisma's rival who rejected Shah Rukh Khan films; became star after giving 8 superhits in a year, now...
)
'I sort of...': Aishwarya Rai's 'enjoyed every phase and moved on' statement amid divorce rumours with Abhishek Bachchan
Teenager Arjun Maini today joined Haas F1 Team as one of its development drivers, making him only the third Indian to be part of a Formula One squad after Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok.
Haas signed Bengaluru-based Maini along with American Santino Ferucci as development drivers for the team that made its Formula One debut last season.
Like Ferrucci, Maini will be "embedded" with the American outfit, attending races and tests throughout the year while also participating in the team s simulator program.
However, there is no confirmation on when he would make his debut in a Formula One car.
"His debut drive depends on how his GP3 goes. He will start with simulator work in Maranello at the Ferrari simulator," Chandhok, who also happens to be Maini's manager, told PTI.
Asked about the significance of this role, Chandhok added:
"It's a good first step into the F1 world and Arjun will learn a lot. How we convert this to a race seat in F1 will largely be down to his season in GP3 which starts this weekend."
Chandhok and Karthikeyan are the only Indians who competed in Formula One with the latter scoring points when he finished fourth in the six-car United States Grand Prix in 2005.
Maini joined GP3 midway into last season after he had no option but to exit the F3 programme. He ended up competing in 14 out of 18 GP3 races, finishing 10th in the standings including a second place in Hungary.
It has been learnt that Maini did not have to pay for the development driver role with Haas signing him on merit.
"Arjun was successful in karting and has transitioned well to various Formula series and now GP3. We ll keep a keen eye on his progress this year," said Haas team principal Guenther Steiner.
Maini said it was an honour to be part of a Formula One team.
"All of my racing to date has been with the focus of becoming a Formula One driver, and this opportunity puts me one step closer to my goal.
"I am eager to learn, understand and experience how a Formula One team operates. Everything I learn can be used immediately in GP3 while preparing for my ultimate goal of Formula One," he said.
The GP3 series opener will be held alongside the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend.
