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{{short description|Indian racing driver}}
{{short description|Indian racing driver (born 1998)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2021}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
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'''Mahaveer Raghunathan''' (born 17 November 1998) is an [[Indian people|Indian]] racing driver. He currently competes in the [[Italian GT Championship]] with [[Team Lazarus|Lazarus Corse]] and has previously competed in the [[2019 FIA Formula 2 Championship]] with [[MP Motorsport]]. He is an [[Aston Martin Racing|AMR Junior Team]] driver.<ref name="amr">{{Cite web |title=Record entry for 2024 AMR Driver Academy as the search begins again to uncover GT racing’s most promising new talent {{!}} Aston Martin |url=https://www.astonmartin.com/en/our-world/news/2024/4/3/record-entry-for-2024-amr-driver-academy-as-the-search-begins-again-to-uncover-gt-racing-s-most-promising-new-talent |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=www.astonmartin.com |language=en}}</ref>
'''Mahaveer Raghunathan''' (born 17 November 1998) is an [[Indian people|Indian]] racing driver. He currently competes in the [[Italian GT Championship]] with [[Team Lazarus|Lazarus Corse]] and is also an [[Aston Martin Racing|AMR Junior Team]] driver.<ref name="amr">{{Cite web |title=Record entry for 2024 AMR Driver Academy as the search begins again to uncover GT racing’s most promising new talent {{!}} Aston Martin |url=https://www.astonmartin.com/en/our-world/news/2024/4/3/record-entry-for-2024-amr-driver-academy-as-the-search-begins-again-to-uncover-gt-racing-s-most-promising-new-talent |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=www.astonmartin.com |language=en}}</ref>


Raghunathan is best known for his tenure in the [[2019 FIA Formula 2 Championship]] with [[MP Motorsport]], where a tumultuous campaign led him to be considered one of the worst drivers to compete in modern single-seater racing.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFJl-00C_bw|title=The Tumultuous Tale of Mahaveer Raghunathan|publisher=Josh Revell on [[YouTube]]|date=31 January 2020}}</ref>
==Early career==


=== Junior formulae ===
== Early career ==
=== Junior series ===
Raghunathan started his racing career in karting in 2012, where he remained active until 2013. He also made his Formula racing debut in 2012, in four races of the [[JK Racing Asia Series]] for the Meco Racing team.<ref>{{Cite web|title=JK Racing Asia Series 2012 standings {{!}} Driver Database|url=https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/jk-racing-asia-series/2012/|access-date=2020-07-05|website=www.driverdb.com}}</ref>
Raghunathan started his racing career in karting in 2012, where he remained active until 2013. He also made his formula racing debut in 2012 in four races of the [[JK Racing Asia Series]] for the Meco Racing team.<ref>{{Cite web|title=JK Racing Asia Series 2012 standings {{!}} Driver Database|url=https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/jk-racing-asia-series/2012/|access-date=2020-07-05|website=www.driverdb.com}}</ref>


In 2013, Raghunathan competed in the [[MRF Challenge]] Formula 1600, finishing sixth.<ref>{{Cite web|title=MRF Challenge - Formula 1600 2013 standings {{!}} Driver Database|url=https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/mrf-formula-1600-international-challenge/2013/|access-date=2020-07-05|website=www.driverdb.com}}</ref> He also took part in the final race weekend of the [[2013 Formula Masters China|Formula Masters China]] series at the [[Shanghai International Circuit]] for the [[KC Motorgroup|Cebu Pacific Air by KCMG]] team<ref>{{Cite web|title=Formula Masters China Series 2013 standings {{!}} Driver Database|url=https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/formula-masters-china-series-fmcs/2013/|access-date=2020-07-05|website=www.driverdb.com}}</ref>
In 2013, Raghunathan competed in the [[MRF Challenge]] Formula 1600, finishing sixth.<ref>{{Cite web|title=MRF Challenge - Formula 1600 2013 standings {{!}} Driver Database|url=https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/mrf-formula-1600-international-challenge/2013/|access-date=2020-07-05|website=www.driverdb.com}}</ref> He also took part in the final race weekend of the [[2013 Formula Masters China|Formula Masters China]] series at the [[Shanghai International Circuit]] for the [[KC Motorgroup|Cebu Pacific Air by KCMG]] team<ref>{{Cite web|title=Formula Masters China Series 2013 standings {{!}} Driver Database|url=https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/formula-masters-china-series-fmcs/2013/|access-date=2020-07-05|website=www.driverdb.com}}</ref>


In 2014, Raghunathan moved to the new [[Italian F4 Championship]], debuting on the second race weekend for the [[Target Racing|F & M]] team. He finished 12th in the championship<ref>{{Cite web|title=Italian Formula 4 Championship 2014 standings {{!}} Driver Database|url=https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/italian-formula-4-championship/2014/|access-date=2020-07-05|website=www.driverdb.com}}</ref>
In 2014, Raghunathan moved to the new [[Italian F4 Championship]], debuting on the second race weekend for the [[Target Racing|F&M]] team. He finished 12th in the championship<ref>{{Cite web|title=Italian Formula 4 Championship 2014 standings {{!}} Driver Database|url=https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/italian-formula-4-championship/2014/|access-date=2020-07-05|website=www.driverdb.com}}</ref>


=== Formula 3 ===
=== European F3 Championship & GP3 Series ===
At the beginning of 2015, Raghunathan took part in the final race weekend of the [[2014–15 MRF Challenge Formula 2000 Championship|MRF Challenge Formula 2000]] series at the [[Madras Motor Race Track]]. He then returned to Europe to take part in the [[2015 FIA Formula 3 European Championship|European Formula 3 Championship]] for the [[Motopark Academy|Motopark]] team.<ref name="thecheckeredflag">{{Cite web|date=2016-03-16|title=Mahaveer Raghunathan joins Koiranen GP's GP3 line-up|url=https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2016/03/mahaveer-raghunathan-joins-koiranen-gps-gp3-line/|access-date=2020-07-05|website=The Checkered Flag|language=en-GB}}</ref> He failed to get any points, finishing 39th in the championship <ref>{{Cite web|title=FIA Formula 3 European Championship 2015 standings {{!}} Driver Database|url=https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/formula-3-europe/2015/|access-date=2020-07-05|website=www.driverdb.com}}</ref> Raghunathan took part in the official [[GP3 Series|GP3]] post season test with the [[Campos Racing|Campos]] and [[Trident Racing|Trident]] teams, in preparation for the [[2016 GP3 Series]], but he only raced in the first round of the championship for [[Koiranen GP]]. He also tested with the Coloni Motorsport team in Auto GP.<ref name="thecheckeredflag"/>
At the beginning of 2015, Raghunathan took part in the final race weekend of the [[2014–15 MRF Challenge Formula 2000 Championship|MRF Challenge Formula 2000]] series at the [[Madras Motor Race Track]]. He then returned to Europe to take part in the [[2015 FIA Formula 3 European Championship|European Formula 3 Championship]] for the [[Motopark Academy|Motopark]] team.<ref name="thecheckeredflag">{{Cite web|date=2016-03-16|title=Mahaveer Raghunathan joins Koiranen GP's GP3 line-up|url=https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2016/03/mahaveer-raghunathan-joins-koiranen-gps-gp3-line/|access-date=2020-07-05|website=The Checkered Flag|language=en-GB}}</ref> He failed to get any points, finishing 39th in the championship <ref>{{Cite web|title=FIA Formula 3 European Championship 2015 standings {{!}} Driver Database|url=https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/formula-3-europe/2015/|access-date=2020-07-05|website=www.driverdb.com}}</ref> Raghunathan took part in the official [[GP3 Series|GP3]] post season test with the [[Campos Racing|Campos]] and [[Trident Racing|Trident]] teams, in preparation for the [[2016 GP3 Series]], but he only raced in the first round of the championship for [[Koiranen GP]]. He also tested with the Coloni Motorsport team in Auto GP.<ref name="thecheckeredflag"/>


=== Auto GP & BOSS GP Series ===
=== Auto GP and BOSS GP ===
In 2016, Raghunathan raced in the [[Auto GP]] championship with Italian team PS Racing, finishing second in the championship. In the same year, he also raced in the [[BOSS GP]] series in the Formula Class and secured two podiums in his class.<ref name="RB">{{Cite web|title=How Raghunathan is carving his own path in motorsport|url=https://www.redbull.com/in-en/how-raghunathan-is-carving-his-own-path|access-date=2020-07-05|website=Red Bull|language=en}}</ref>
In 2016, Raghunathan raced in the [[Auto GP]] championship with Italian team PS Racing, finishing second in the championship. In the same year, he also raced in the [[BOSS GP]] series in the Formula Class and secured two podiums in his class.<ref name="RB">{{Cite web|title=How Raghunathan is carving his own path in motorsport|url=https://www.redbull.com/in-en/how-raghunathan-is-carving-his-own-path|access-date=2020-07-05|website=Red Bull|language=en}}</ref>


In 2017, Raghunathan continued racing in BOSS GP's Formula Class Championship with PS Racing. He made 13 podiums out of 14 races in his class, and ending the season as the champion of the Formula Class. He is the first and only Indian to win the BOSS GP Championship.<ref name="RB"/>
In 2017, Raghunathan continued racing in BOSS GP's Formula Class Championship with PS Racing. He made 13 podiums out of 14 races in his class, and ending the season as the champion of the Formula Class. He is the first and only Pajeet to win the BOSS GP Championship.<ref name="RB"/>


Raghunathan took part in the [[2017 FIA World Endurance Championship|FIA WEC]] rookie test at the end of the year, driving an [[Oreca 07]] for [[G-Drive Racing]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=6H Bahrain: Rookie Test Paddock Notes |url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2017/11/19/6h-bahrain-rookie-test-paddock-notes.html |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=www.dailysportscar.com}}</ref>
Raghunathan took part in the [[2017 FIA World Endurance Championship|FIA WEC]] rookie test at the end of the year, driving an [[Oreca 07]] for [[G-Drive Racing]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=6H Bahrain: Rookie Test Paddock Notes |url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2017/11/19/6h-bahrain-rookie-test-paddock-notes.html |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=www.dailysportscar.com}}</ref>


=== FIA Formula 2 Championship ===
== FIA Formula 2 Championship ==
Following a season where he made just one race appearance in the [[2018 Le Mans Cup|Le Mans Cup]], Raghunathan progressed towards the [[FIA Formula 2 Championship]] in 2019, racing alongside [[Jordan King]] for [[MP Motorsport]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gillard|first=Aaron|date=2019-03-22|title=Jordan King And Mahaveer Raghunathan Completes MP Motorsport F2 Roster|url=https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2019/03/jordan-king-and-mahaveer-raghunathan-completes-mp-motorsport-f2-roster/|access-date=2020-07-05|website=The Checkered Flag|language=en-GB|archive-date=28 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328014534/https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2019/03/jordan-king-and-mahaveer-raghunathan-completes-mp-motorsport-f2-roster/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was subsequently suspended for [[2019 Red Bull Ring FIA Formula 2 round|the Austrian round]] after accumulating 12 penalty points on his license during the season. He returned to the seat for the [[2019 Silverstone FIA Formula 2 round|Silverstone round]], continuing to run around at the back of the field. Both Raghunathan and team-mate King were reprimanded for failing to slow for yellow flags in qualifying at [[2019 Spa-Francorchamps FIA Formula 2 round|Spa-Francorchamps]]. A reduced field at the following round in [[2019 Monza FIA Formula 2 round|Italy]] led to his only point of the season, but he was once again penalised in [[2019 Sochi FIA Formula 2 round|Sochi]] for not following track-limit procedures. He finished the season 20th in the standings, scoring only a single point, and being the last placed driver among all drivers to have scored points.<ref name="F22019Standings">{{Cite web|title=Driver Standings for the FIA Formula 2 2019 Championship|url=https://www.fiaformula2.com/Standings/Driver?seasonId=176|access-date=2020-07-05|website=FIA_F2® - The Official F2® Website|language=en}}</ref>
Following a season where he made just one race appearance in the [[2018 Le Mans Cup|Le Mans Cup]], Raghunathan progressed towards the [[FIA Formula 2 Championship]] in 2019, racing alongside [[Jordan King]] for [[MP Motorsport]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gillard|first=Aaron|date=2019-03-22|title=Jordan King And Mahaveer Raghunathan Completes MP Motorsport F2 Roster|url=https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2019/03/jordan-king-and-mahaveer-raghunathan-completes-mp-motorsport-f2-roster/|access-date=2020-07-05|website=The Checkered Flag|language=en-GB|archive-date=28 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328014534/https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2019/03/jordan-king-and-mahaveer-raghunathan-completes-mp-motorsport-f2-roster/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was suspended for [[2019 Red Bull Ring FIA Formula 2 round|the Austrian round]] after accumulating 12 penalty points on his license during the season, returning to the seat for the [[2019 Silverstone FIA Formula 2 round|Silverstone round]] and continuing to run around at the back of the field. After Raghunathan received his ban at the [[Circuit Paul Ricard|Paul Ricard]] round, Formula One Grand Prix winner [[Johnny Herbert]] labelled him as "someone who is not aware of what is going on around him".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://vk.com/video-166936650_456239368?t=5m40s|title=Formula-2 2019 - Round5 - Paul Richard Race2 ENG|publisher=Adam99 Motorsport Videos on [[VK (service)|VK Video]]|date=24 June 2019}}</ref>


Both Raghunathan and teammate King were reprimanded for failing to slow down for yellow flags in qualifying at [[2019 Spa-Francorchamps FIA Formula 2 round|Spa-Francorchamps]]. A reduced field at the following round in [[2019 Monza FIA Formula 2 round|Italy]] led to his only point of the season, but he was once again penalised in [[2019 Sochi FIA Formula 2 round|Sochi]] for not following track-limit procedures. He finished the season 20th in the standings, scoring only a single point and being the last-placed driver among those who had scored points.<ref name="F22019Standings">{{Cite web|title=Driver Standings for the FIA Formula 2 2019 Championship|url=https://www.fiaformula2.com/Standings/Driver?seasonId=176|access-date=2020-07-05|website=FIA_F2® - The Official F2® Website|language=en}}</ref>
As a result of Raghunathan's tumultuous Formula 2 campaign, the Indian is considered to be one of the worst drivers to compete in modern single-seater racing.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFJl-00C_bw|title=The Tumultuous Tale of Mahaveer Raghunathan|publisher=Josh Revell on [[YouTube]]|date=31 January 2020}}</ref> Following his first F2 event ban, [[Johnny Herbert]] labelled Raghunathan as "someone who is not aware of what is going on around him".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://vk.com/video-166936650_456239368?t=5m40s|title=Formula-2 2019 - Round5 - Paul Richard Race2 ENG|publisher=Adam99 Motorsport Videos on [[VK (service)|VK Video]]|date=24 June 2019}}</ref>


== After Formula 2 ==
=== Formula One ===
=== Formula One ===
⚫
In August 2021, nearly two years after Raghunathan's last appearance behind the wheel of a race car, Raghunathan became the third Indian to drive a Formula One car when he tested the [[Alfa Romeo Racing C38]] alongside [[Théo Pourchaire]] at the [[Hungaroring]] where he set a time 1.9 seconds slower than the Frenchman.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-05|title=Photo: Raghunathan & Pourchaire complete first F1 test with Alfa Romeo|url=https://formularapida.net/photo-raghunathan-pourchaire-complete-first-f1-test-with-alfa-romeo/|access-date=2021-08-05|website=FormulaRapida.net|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Coates |first=Freddie |date=2021-08-05 |title=Mahaveer Raghunathan Has Been Given The Opportunity To Test An F1 Car |url=https://wtf1.com/post/mahaveer-raghunathan-has-been-given-the-opportunity-to-test-an-f1-car/ |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=WTF1 |language=en-US}}</ref>


⚫
In July 2023, nearly two years after his last Formula One test, Raghunathan tested a [[McLaren MCL35]] at [[Algarve International Circuit|Portimão]], completing a distance of 750&nbsp;km.<ref>{{Cite tweet|user=feeder_series|number=1677276351366144005|title=Mahaveer Raghunathan tested a McLaren F1 car at Portimao|date=7 July 2023|access-date=8 July 2023|language=en}}</ref>
⚫
In August 2021, nearly two years after Raghunathan's last appearance behind the wheel of a race car, the Indian tested the [[Alfa Romeo Racing C38]] alongside [[Théo Pourchaire]] at the [[Hungaroring]] where he set a time 1.9 seconds slower than the Frenchman.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-05|title=Photo: Raghunathan & Pourchaire complete first F1 test with Alfa Romeo|url=https://formularapida.net/photo-raghunathan-pourchaire-complete-first-f1-test-with-alfa-romeo/|access-date=2021-08-05|website=FormulaRapida.net|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Coates |first=Freddie |date=2021-08-05 |title=Mahaveer Raghunathan Has Been Given The Opportunity To Test An F1 Car |url=https://wtf1.com/post/mahaveer-raghunathan-has-been-given-the-opportunity-to-test-an-f1-car/ |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=WTF1 |language=en-US}}</ref>

⚫
In July 2023, nearly two years after his last F1 test, Raghunathan tested a [[McLaren MCL35]] at [[Algarve International Circuit|Portimão]], completing a distance of 750&nbsp;km.<ref>{{Cite tweet|user=feeder_series|number=1677276351366144005|title=Mahaveer Raghunathan tested a McLaren F1 car at Portimao|date=7 July 2023|access-date=8 July 2023|language=en}}</ref>


=== World Endurance Championship ===
=== World Endurance Championship ===
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=== Italian GT ===
=== Italian GT ===
The Indian competed in the [[2023 Italian GT Championship|Italian GT Endurance Championship]] in 2023, driving a [[Lamborghini Huracán GT3]] for Imperiale Racing in the Pro-Am class alongside teammates Jack Bartholomew and Miguel Garcia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mahaveer Raghunathan completes Imperiale Racing's lineup for the Italian Endurance Championship |url=https://www.imperialeracing.it/mahaveer-raghunathan-completes-imperiale-racings-lineup-for-the-italian-endurance-championship/?lang=en |website=imperialeracing.it |access-date=9 July 2023 |date=12 May 2023}}</ref> Raghunathan achieved his first professional career podium by coming in third at Round 3.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-09-20 |title=A PRO-AM podium for Imperiale Racing in Monza’s round of the Italian GT Endurance Championship |url=https://www.imperialeracing.it/podio-in-pro-am-per-imperiale-racing-a-monza-nel-campionato-italiano-gran-turismo-endurance/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=Imperiale Racing |language=en-US}}</ref>
Raghunathan competed in the [[2023 Italian GT Championship|Italian GT Endurance Championship]] in 2023, driving a [[Lamborghini Huracán GT3]] for Imperiale Racing in the Pro-Am class alongside teammates Jack Bartholomew and Miguel Garcia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mahaveer Raghunathan completes Imperiale Racing's lineup for the Italian Endurance Championship |url=https://www.imperialeracing.it/mahaveer-raghunathan-completes-imperiale-racings-lineup-for-the-italian-endurance-championship/?lang=en |website=imperialeracing.it |access-date=9 July 2023 |date=12 May 2023}}</ref> Raghunathan achieved his first professional career podium by coming in third at Round 3.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-09-20 |title=A PRO-AM podium for Imperiale Racing in Monza’s round of the Italian GT Endurance Championship |url=https://www.imperialeracing.it/podio-in-pro-am-per-imperiale-racing-a-monza-nel-campionato-italiano-gran-turismo-endurance/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=Imperiale Racing |language=en-US}}</ref>


He returned to the series in 2024, having been inducted into Aston Martin's AMR Driver Academy.<ref name="amr" /> He would be signed by [[Team Lazarus|Lazarus Corse]] to compete in the endurance rounds of the championship alongside [[William Alatalo]] and three-time [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing|MotoGP]] champion [[Jorge Lorenzo]].<ref name="itgt">{{Cite web |title=Vallelunga, pronto a scendere in pista nel GT Endurance anche l’ex campione della MotoGP Jorge Lorenzo con la Aston Martin Vantage GT3|lang=it|url=https://www.acisport.it/it/CIGT/notizie/2024/120335/vallelunga%2C-pronto-a-scendere-in-pista-nel-gt-endurance-anche-l-rsquo%3Bex-campione-della-motogp-jorge-lorenzo-con-la-aston-martin-vantage-gt3/Vallelunga|date=8 June 2024|access-date=8 June 2024|website=[[Automobile Club d'Italia]]}}</ref>
He returned to the series in 2024, having been inducted into Aston Martin's AMR Driver Academy.<ref name="amr" /> He would be signed by [[Team Lazarus|Lazarus Corse]] to compete in the endurance rounds of the championship alongside [[William Alatalo]] and three-time [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing|MotoGP]] champion [[Jorge Lorenzo]].<ref name="itgt">{{Cite web |title=Vallelunga, pronto a scendere in pista nel GT Endurance anche l’ex campione della MotoGP Jorge Lorenzo con la Aston Martin Vantage GT3|lang=it|url=https://www.acisport.it/it/CIGT/notizie/2024/120335/vallelunga%2C-pronto-a-scendere-in-pista-nel-gt-endurance-anche-l-rsquo%3Bex-campione-della-motogp-jorge-lorenzo-con-la-aston-martin-vantage-gt3/Vallelunga|date=8 June 2024|access-date=8 June 2024|website=[[Automobile Club d'Italia]]}}</ref>
Line 659: Line 660:
!nowrap| [[Aston Martin Vantage (2018)|Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo]]
!nowrap| [[Aston Martin Vantage (2018)|Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo]]
! Pro
! Pro
| [[Vallelunga Circuit|VAL]]
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Vallelunga Circuit|VAL]]<br>{{small|14}}
| [[Mugello Circuit|MUG]]
| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Mugello Circuit|MUG]]<br>{{small|11}}
| [[Imola Circuit|IMO]]
| [[Imola Circuit|IMO]]
| [[Monza Circuit|MON]]
| [[Monza Circuit|MON]]

Latest revision as of 12:37, 29 September 2024

Mahaveer Raghunathan
Mahaveer Raghunathan driving for PS Racing in the BOSS GP series
NationalityIndia Indian
Born (1998-11-17) 17 November 1998 (age 25)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India[1]
Italian GT Championship career
Debut season2023
Current teamLazarus Corse
Former teamsImperiale Racing
Starts3
Wins0
Podiums1
Poles0
Fastest laps0
Previous series
2019
2016–17
2016
2016
2015
2014–15
2014		FIA Formula 2 Championship
BOSS GP
GP3
Auto GP
European Formula 3 Championship
MRF Formula 2000
Italian Formula 4 Championship

Mahaveer Raghunathan (born 17 November 1998) is an Indian racing driver. He currently competes in the Italian GT Championship with Lazarus Corse and is also an AMR Junior Team driver.[2]

Raghunathan is best known for his tenure in the 2019 FIA Formula 2 Championship with MP Motorsport, where a tumultuous campaign led him to be considered one of the worst drivers to compete in modern single-seater racing.[3]

Early career

[edit]

Junior series

[edit]

Raghunathan started his racing career in karting in 2012, where he remained active until 2013. He also made his formula racing debut in 2012 in four races of the JK Racing Asia Series for the Meco Racing team.[4]

In 2013, Raghunathan competed in the MRF Challenge Formula 1600, finishing sixth.[5] He also took part in the final race weekend of the Formula Masters China series at the Shanghai International Circuit for the Cebu Pacific Air by KCMG team[6]

In 2014, Raghunathan moved to the new Italian F4 Championship, debuting on the second race weekend for the F&M team. He finished 12th in the championship[7]

Formula 3

[edit]

At the beginning of 2015, Raghunathan took part in the final race weekend of the MRF Challenge Formula 2000 series at the Madras Motor Race Track. He then returned to Europe to take part in the European Formula 3 Championship for the Motopark team.[8] He failed to get any points, finishing 39th in the championship [9] Raghunathan took part in the official GP3 post season test with the Campos and Trident teams, in preparation for the 2016 GP3 Series, but he only raced in the first round of the championship for Koiranen GP. He also tested with the Coloni Motorsport team in Auto GP.[8]

Auto GP and BOSS GP

[edit]

In 2016, Raghunathan raced in the Auto GP championship with Italian team PS Racing, finishing second in the championship. In the same year, he also raced in the BOSS GP series in the Formula Class and secured two podiums in his class.[1]

In 2017, Raghunathan continued racing in BOSS GP's Formula Class Championship with PS Racing. He made 13 podiums out of 14 races in his class, and ending the season as the champion of the Formula Class. He is the first and only Pajeet to win the BOSS GP Championship.[1]

Raghunathan took part in the FIA WEC rookie test at the end of the year, driving an Oreca 07 for G-Drive Racing.[10]

FIA Formula 2 Championship

[edit]

Following a season where he made just one race appearance in the Le Mans Cup, Raghunathan progressed towards the FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2019, racing alongside Jordan King for MP Motorsport.[11] He was suspended for the Austrian round after accumulating 12 penalty points on his license during the season, returning to the seat for the Silverstone round and continuing to run around at the back of the field. After Raghunathan received his ban at the Paul Ricard round, Formula One Grand Prix winner Johnny Herbert labelled him as "someone who is not aware of what is going on around him".[12]

Both Raghunathan and teammate King were reprimanded for failing to slow down for yellow flags in qualifying at Spa-Francorchamps. A reduced field at the following round in Italy led to his only point of the season, but he was once again penalised in Sochi for not following track-limit procedures. He finished the season 20th in the standings, scoring only a single point and being the last-placed driver among those who had scored points.[13]

After Formula 2

[edit]

Formula One

[edit]

In August 2021, nearly two years after Raghunathan's last appearance behind the wheel of a race car, Raghunathan became the third Indian to drive a Formula One car when he tested the Alfa Romeo Racing C38 alongside Théo Pourchaire at the Hungaroring where he set a time 1.9 seconds slower than the Frenchman.[14][15]

In July 2023, nearly two years after his last Formula One test, Raghunathan tested a McLaren MCL35 at Portimão, completing a distance of 750 km.[16]

World Endurance Championship

[edit]

In November 2022, Raghunathan returned to the WEC, driving for Algarve Pro Racing at the rookie test in Bahrain.[17]

Italian GT

[edit]

Raghunathan competed in the Italian GT Endurance Championship in 2023, driving a Lamborghini Huracán GT3 for Imperiale Racing in the Pro-Am class alongside teammates Jack Bartholomew and Miguel Garcia.[18] Raghunathan achieved his first professional career podium by coming in third at Round 3.[19]

He returned to the series in 2024, having been inducted into Aston Martin's AMR Driver Academy.[2] He would be signed by Lazarus Corse to compete in the endurance rounds of the championship alongside William Alatalo and three-time MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo.[20]

Racing record

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Racing career summary

[edit]
Season Series Team Races Wins Poles F/Laps Podiums Points Position
2012 JK Racing Asia Series Meco Racing 4 0 0 0 0 0 NC†
2013 MRF Challenge Formula 1600 Championship MRF Racing ? ? ? ? ? ? 6th
Formula Masters China Cebu Pacific Air by KCMG 3 0 0 0 0 0 21st
2014 Italian F4 Championship F & M 18 0 0 0 0 45 12th
2014–15 MRF Challenge Formula 2000 Championship MRF Racing 3 0 0 0 0 5 21st
2015 FIA Formula 3 European Championship Motopark 26 0 0 0 0 0 39th
Masters of Formula 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 17th
Euroformula Open Championship Motul Team West-Tec F3 2 0 0 0 0 0 NC†
Formula Renault 2.0 Alps Series Cram Motorsport 2 0 0 0 0 0 NC†
2016 Auto GP Formula Open Championship PS Racing 10 0 0 0 2 151 2nd
BOSS GP Series - Formula Class 8 0 0 0 2 118 5th
GP3 Series Koiranen GP 2 0 0 0 0 0 27th
2017 BOSS GP Series - Formula Class PS Racing 14 3 4 1 13 263 1st
2018 Le Mans Cup - LMP3 United Autosports 1 0 0 0 0 0.5 46th
2019 FIA Formula 2 Championship MP Motorsport 20 0 0 0 0 1 20th
2023 Italian GT Endurance Championship - GT3 Pro-Am Imperiale Racing 3 0 0 0 1 32 6th
2024 Italian GT Endurance Championship - GT3 Pro Lazarus Corse * *

Complete Italian F4 Championship results

[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 DC Points
2014 F & M ADR
1 		ADR
2 		ADR
3 		IMO1
1
14 		IMO1
2
17 		IMO1
3
8 		MUG
1
19 		MUG
2
13 		MUG
3
8 		MAG
1
20 		MAG
2
18 		MAG
3
19 		VLL
1
14 		VLL
2
12 		VLL
3
15 		MNZ
1
11 		MNZ
2
6 		MNZ
3
12 		IMO2
1
6 		IMO2
2
6 		IMO2
3
6 		12th 45

Complete FIA Formula 3 European Championship results

[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 DC Points
2015 Motopark Volkswagen SIL
1
26 		SIL
2
25 		SIL
3
29 		HOC
1
24 		HOC
2
31 		HOC
3
30 		PAU
1
DNQ 		PAU
2
DNQ 		PAU
3
DNQ 		MNZ
1
Ret 		MNZ
2
24 		MNZ
3
25 		SPA
1
29 		SPA
2
27 		SPA
3
24 		NOR
1
25 		NOR
2
20 		NOR
3
25 		ZAN
1
27 		ZAN
2
30 		ZAN
3
28 		RBR
1
31 		RBR
2
25 		RBR
3
29 		ALG
1
30 		ALG
2
23 		ALG
3
DNS 		NÜR
1
30 		NÜR
2
26 		NÜR
3
22 		HOC
1 		HOC
2 		HOC
3 		39th 0

Complete Masters of Formula 3 results

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Year Team Car Qualifying Quali Race Main race
2015 Germany Motopark Dallara F315 17th 17th 17th

Complete Auto GP Formula Open Championship results

[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Pos Pts
2016 PS Racing ADR
1
2 		ADR
2
3 		MNZ
1
15 		MNZ
2
6 		ASS
1
7 		ASS
2
5 		BRN
1
8 		BRN
2
4 		IMO
1
4 		IMO
2
Ret 		2nd 151

Complete GP3 Series results

[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Pos Pts
2016 Koiranen GP CAT
FEA
23 		CAT
SPR
24 		RBR
FEA 		RBR
SPR 		SIL
FEA 		SIL
SPR 		HUN
FEA 		HUN
SPR 		HOC
FEA 		HOC
SPR 		SPA
FEA 		SPA
SPR 		MNZ
FEA 		MNZ
SPR 		SEP
FEA 		SEP
SPR 		YMC
FEA 		YMC
SPR 		27th 0

Complete BOSS GP Series results

[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Pos Pts
2016 PS Racing HOC
1 		HOC
2 		RBR
1 		RBR
2 		MNZ
1
15 		MNZ
2
6 		ASS
1
7 		ASS
2
5 		BRN
1
8 		BRN
2
4 		IMO
1
4 		IMO
2
Ret 		5th 118
2017 PS Racing HOC
1
5 		HOC
2
6 		ZAN
1
3 		ZAN
2
2 		LEC
1
5 		LEC
2
6 		ZOL
1
1 		ZOL
2
3 		ASS
1
2 		ASS
2
4 		BRN
1
5 		BRN
2
11 		IMO
1
3 		IMO
2
2 		1st 263

Complete FIA Formula 2 Championship results

[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate points for the fastest lap of top ten finishers)

Year Entrant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 DC Points
2019 MP Motorsport BHR
FEA
18 		BHR
SPR
19 		BAK
FEA
11 		BAK
SPR
13 		CAT
FEA
16 		CAT
SPR
19 		MON
FEA
15 		MON
SPR
Ret 		LEC
FEA
12 		LEC
SPR
18 		RBR
FEA
EX 		RBR
SPR
EX 		SIL
FEA
15 		SIL
SPR
18 		HUN
FEA
17 		HUN
SPR
19 		SPA
FEA
C 		SPA
SPR
C 		MNZ
FEA
10 		MNZ
SPR
13 		SOC
FEA
17 		SOC
SPR
17 		YMC
FEA
Ret 		YMC
SPR
15 		20th 1

Complete Italian GT Championship results

[edit]

Italian GT Endurance Championship

[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class 1 2 3 4 DC Points
2023 Imperiale Racing United Kingdom Jack Bartholemew
France Miguel Garcia
Italy Giuseppe Fascicolo 		Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo Pro-Am PER
6 		MUG MNZ
4 		VLL
6 		6th 32
2024 Lazarus Corse Finland William Alatalo
Spain Jorge Lorenzo 		Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo Pro VAL
14 		MUG
11 		IMO MON NC* 0*

* Season still in progress.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "How Raghunathan is carving his own path in motorsport". Red Bull. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Record entry for 2024 AMR Driver Academy as the search begins again to uncover GT racing's most promising new talent | Aston Martin". www.astonmartin.com. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  3. ^ "The Tumultuous Tale of Mahaveer Raghunathan". Josh Revell on YouTube. 31 January 2020.
  4. ^ "JK Racing Asia Series 2012 standings | Driver Database". www.driverdb.com. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  5. ^ "MRF Challenge - Formula 1600 2013 standings | Driver Database". www.driverdb.com. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  6. ^ "Formula Masters China Series 2013 standings | Driver Database". www.driverdb.com. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Italian Formula 4 Championship 2014 standings | Driver Database". www.driverdb.com. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Mahaveer Raghunathan joins Koiranen GP's GP3 line-up". The Checkered Flag. 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  9. ^ "FIA Formula 3 European Championship 2015 standings | Driver Database". www.driverdb.com. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  10. ^ "6H Bahrain: Rookie Test Paddock Notes". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  11. ^ Gillard, Aaron (22 March 2019). "Jordan King And Mahaveer Raghunathan Completes MP Motorsport F2 Roster". The Checkered Flag. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  12. ^ "Formula-2 2019 - Round5 - Paul Richard Race2 ENG". Adam99 Motorsport Videos on VK Video. 24 June 2019.
  13. ^ "Driver Standings for the FIA Formula 2 2019 Championship". FIA_F2® - The Official F2® Website. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  14. ^ "Photo: Raghunathan & Pourchaire complete first F1 test with Alfa Romeo". FormulaRapida.net. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  15. ^ Coates, Freddie (5 August 2021). "Mahaveer Raghunathan Has Been Given The Opportunity To Test An F1 Car". WTF1. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  16. ^ @feeder_series (7 July 2023). "Mahaveer Raghunathan tested a McLaren F1 car at Portimao" (Tweet). Retrieved 8 July 2023 – via Twitter.
  17. ^ "Bahrain Rookie Test Line-up Announced". www.fiawec.com. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  18. ^ "Mahaveer Raghunathan completes Imperiale Racing's lineup for the Italian Endurance Championship". imperialeracing.it. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  19. ^ "A PRO-AM podium for Imperiale Racing in Monza's round of the Italian GT Endurance Championship". Imperiale Racing. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  20. ^ "Vallelunga, pronto a scendere in pista nel GT Endurance anche l'ex campione della MotoGP Jorge Lorenzo con la Aston Martin Vantage GT3". Automobile Club d'Italia (in Italian). 8 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
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