The conclusion of the Hungarian Grand Prix this past weekend kick started the three-week summer break in the ongoing F1 season. However, some teams decided to stay back at the Hungaroring and carry out a few laps to test their machinery. One such team was Alfa Romeo, who are ninth in the constructor’s championship.
During testing, they decided to field two youngsters in the C38. While one of them was F2 driver Theo Pourchaire, their second selection shocked the F1 world altogether.
Alfa Romeo field former F2 driver Mahaveer Raghunathan during F1 testing session
Earlier this year, Pourchaire became the youngest race winner in Formula 2. At just 17 years old, the Frenchman won the Monaco feature race to write his name in the history books. Currently, he sits sixth in the championship with 65 points.
As part of the Sauber Junior Team, Pourchaire got a chance to test in Hungary this Tuesday. However, former F2 driver Mahaveer Raghunathan also got the same opportunity with Alfa Romeo. The Indian driver last featured in the F2 championship two years ago in 2019.
During that season, the 22-year-old scored just one point. However, he accumulated a series of penalties, including 12 points on his license, which forced him to serve a one-race suspension. Hence, his appearance in the Italian team’s car shocked many in the F1 community.
A friend from a team asked a few of us to guess who was testing for Alfa on Tuesday, and when someone jokingly said Mahaveer and got the response "Bingo" I genuinely thought it was just continuing the joke. And then the photos started emerging… #F1 https://t.co/TmfYQrpL95
— Chris Medland (@ChrisMedlandF1) August 5, 2021
Most fans called him “Lord Mahaveer” due to his reputation prior to his first experience in an F1 car.
LORD MAHAVEER pic.twitter.com/gZkB5cQMcB
— Lachlan
(@Fitcho_) August 5, 2021
Didn't see this one coming. Mahaveer Raghunathan tested for Alfa Romeo earlier this week, driving the C38 at the Hungaroring. #F1 Pics: Rasheed Khan/Momentum pic.twitter.com/7W0ZQm9r34
— Thomas Maher (@thomasmaheronf1) August 5, 2021
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Does this test put Raghunathan in contention for an F1 seat?
Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok are the only Indian drivers to compete in F1. Although Raghunathan got a run out in the Alfa Romeo, it looks highly unlikely he will be in contention for a seat in 2022.
At the moment, British driver Callum Ilott looks a clear favorite. As Alfa Romeo’s reserve driver, the 22-year-old is also a part of the Ferrari Driver Academy. In addition, Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas is also in contention given his future as a driver for the Silver Arrows is in doubt.
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