Day: 28 September 2023

Maserati Monaco Sports Group Racing has announced the arrival of Jehan Daruvala following the recent departure of Edoardo Mortara, who had been with the team since 2017. 

A seat was up for grabs at MSG Racing during the off-season. As reported by Monaco Life earlier this month, Edoardo Mortara, who had been with the team for six years, left at the end of the ninth season of Formula E. His replacement has just been revealed.

MSG Racing now boast a youthful lineup with the arrival of 24-year-old Jehan Daruvala. The Indian driver made a name for himself back in 2019 following a breakthrough season in Formula 3. He then moved up to Formula 2, winning four races and earning 18 podiums. Last season, he made two rookie test appearances in Formula E, and will soon takes his first seat in the ‘Electric Odyssey.’

Günther retained

The Monegasque manufacturer has also made the unsurprising move to retain Günther. In his debut season with the team, he secured two pole positions, four podiums, and even secured the Maserati brand’s first victory in World Championship single-seaters since Juan Manuel Fangio in 1957. Despite being just 26 years old, he is already one of the most experienced drivers on the grid, and following Mortara’s departure, he will be expected to lead from the front.

Reacting to securing a seat in Formula E, Daruvala said, “Formula E is a championship that I have admired for a long time, and after taking part in the two test sessions, I’m very happy to have the opportunity to step up to a full-time race seat […] I would like to thank James (Rossiter) and Maserati MSG Racing for giving me this chance and I can’t wait to learn more about the car and get to know the team better in pre-season testing, before hitting the ground running in Mexico City in January.”

Team Principal Rossiter added that Daruvala had shown “good promise” as well as “hunger and determination in Formula 2”. It is now up to the Indian driver to deliver on that promise and help the Monegasque team move back up the rankings following a difficult first season of the Gen3 era.

Read related:

Formula E: Edoardo Mortara leaves Maserati MSG Racing

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Photo source: Maserati MSG Racing

AS Monaco manager Adi Hütter has confirmed that Caio Henrique will undergo surgery on an ACL injury, ruling him out for at least six months. 

Henrique suffered the injury during Monaco’s 1-0 defeat against local rivals OGC Nice on Friday. Despite playing on for around 30 minutes following the injury, further medical tests this week ascertained the severity of it. On Tuesday, the club issued the following statement:

“Caio Henrique has a sprain on the left knee with an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament being evaluated.”

It was not revealed at the time whether the Brazilian international would undergo surgery to remedy the problem, but Hütter has now announced that the decision has been taken. “He is going for surgery,” began the Monaco manager, who then went on to estimate Henrique’s period of absence. “For this injury, it’s not the same for every player, but I want him back as quickly as possible. I can’t say exactly [how long he’ll be absent]. Perhaps six, seven or eight months.”

Monaco to make a ‘joker’ transfer?

Should Henrique be out for eight months, it is touch-and-go as to whether he will feature again this season. His injury is a significant blow. The former Atletico Madrid player is top of the Ligue 1 assist charts (four) and has been one of Monaco’s most creative forces.

Will he be replaced before the January transfer window? Ligue 1 rules stipulate that clubs can make one ‘joker’ transfer, which essentially allows any club to buy one player from another Ligue 1 club. However, it remains to be seen whether Monaco will exercise this option.

Hütter seemed to dispel such an idea during Thursday’s press conference in La Turbie. “We have a replacement in this position in (Ismail) Jakobs,” he said. The club have therefore put their faith in the Senegalese international, at least in the short-term. It remains to be seen, however, whether the Principality club will look to strengthen in this position in January, or perhaps earlier.

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Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life