Formula Racing
How a professional racer returns from injury
Jehan Daruvala explains his step-by-step process in returning from injury and getting back into the racecar.
Jehan Daruvala could be the third Indian to sit in a F1 car after Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok after being signed by the Red Bull Junior Team for the 2020 season.
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo are among the illustrious racers to have graduated from the team, as have current Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri drivers Alex Albon, Daniil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly, among many others.
Jehan will be racing with the Carlin team in the 2020 F2 season, hoping to catch the eye of the F1 teams and secure a seat in the near future.
But unknown to many, the racer from Mumbai had an injury scare towards the end of 2019. We spoke with him to ask him about how he was doing and how he successfully returned to full fitness.
Initial assessment and a positive mindset
Jehan sustained a very serious knee injury in October 2019 while playing football as part of his training routine. The damage was assessed by Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala and surgery was conducted at Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai within two days of sustaining the injury. Dr Pardiwala recommended immediate surgery to enable quick and complete healing.
“Naturally, the injury did bring various thoughts to mind, but I decided that all I needed to do was to focus on recuperating well and regaining the strength back in my leg,” says Jehan.
Surgery and post-op care
After immediately going under the knife, Jehan recuperated in the hospital for three days. He was instructed to not put any weight on the operated leg, so he was required to use crutches at all times.
For the first six weeks after the surgery, Jehan wasn’t allowed to bear any weight on the operated leg. Between weeks six and eight post the surgery, Jehan was to bear light weight on the operated leg with assistance of crutches. Eight weeks after the surgery, Jehan was to bear full weight on the operated leg with the assistance of a knee brace.
Rehab programme
Jehan started mild exercises on the day after the surgery itself, as recommended by his surgeon. He continued these exercises after he was discharged from the hospital and continued his recuperation at home. Two weeks after the surgery, Jehan started mild physiotherapy as part of the post-surgery rehab. He also started strength training for his neck and core muscles. Six weeks after the surgery, he started intense physio sessions
Nutrition to aid quick recovery
Jehan’s UK-based nutritionist sent him a detailed rehab plan for two months. This included a recommendation for him to eat high-fibre and collagen-rich foods and supplements because they help with quick healing and strength recovery.
Recovery assessment and strength training
Jehan visited his regular training facilities in the UK for a strength assessment. This helped determine which areas needed more focus after the surgery. He also returned to working out in the gym for strength training for his upper body and neck, cardio on the rowing machine, and swimming for endurance.
He followed the doctor-recommended training and physiotherapy sessions for three months post the surgery.
Eight weeks after the surgery, Jehan returned to training in his simulator at home to get comfortable with racing again.
Long term fitness goals
Three months after the surgery, Jehan returned to full fitness training in his regular facilities in the UK. The initial emphasis was on getting his operated leg back to full strength. He is not permitted to run or skip for up to nine months after the surgery, so he continues to cycle, swim and row for cardio training.
Jehan Daruvala
© James Gasperotti
Getting back into the racecar
By March 2020, Jehan was fully fit and ready to get back into the racecar. He participated in his first official Formula 2 testing session in Bahrain after successfully getting back to full fitness.
He continued to follow his surgeon’s instructions for certain exercises for his operated leg; every morning and twice during the day when time permitted. These exercises continued until the end of April 2020 as part of his full recovery from the injury.