Aunay-les-Bois (France), Sep 22 (IANS): Jehan Daruvala, the 15-year old from Mumbai, scripted a historic podium finish here as he finished third in the CIK-FIA World Karting Championship while another Indian Kush Maini, from Bangalore, came in a creditable fourth in the Junior category.

In the final Sunday, Daruvala (FA Kart-Vortex-Dunlop) made a brilliant start from the third row and led the race for a long time until Norris Lando of Britain attacked and overtook the Indian to eventually win the race.

The battle continued for other top positions. On the last lap, Russian Nikita Mazepin (Tony Kart-Vortex-Dunlop) grabbed second place, overtaking Daruvala, who thus settled for third.

In practice, Jehan was a 10th of a second off the pace but was a bit disappointed with an 18th place out of 72 in Qualifying. The competition levels were so high that 68 drivers qualified within one second.

Next came the heats and Jehan had to battle it out in four separate heats where he faced mixed fortunes. His first heat saw him finish sixth while second heat proved disastrous as he was pushed off track.

Thanks to this, Jehan was not able to brake properly and collided with another driver. An ensuing penalty, meant he finished 22nd. Heat 3 and 4 saw Jehan consolidate his position with a fifth and seventh place, respectively.

Jehan's total points from the heats meant that he would start 15th in the Pre-Finals. A new twist was added after it rained heavily but Jehan pushed hard and made a blinder of a start. Lap-by-lap he overtook drivers and on Lap 13, he moved into fifth where he stayed till the end of the 17-lap pre-final.

Jehan, who is part of the Sahara Force India Academy and is also currently leading the German Karting Championship, said: "We were unable to get the perfect set-up for the set of tyres I had in the heats, so I was a bit off pace. I'm glad it rained in the pre-final. It was a lot of fun making up 10 positions.

"In the final, I had a great start and I was leading for a few laps but Lando had good pace. It's a bit disappointing to be third after this, but it's a good result. I would like to thank everyone who has made this possible, Sahara Force India Academy, Team RFM, my mechanic and my parents."

In the Junior category, Enaam Ahmed (FA Kart-Vortex-Vega) emerged the new World Champion after being on top of the time sheets throughout the weekend. Maini (Exprit-Vortex-Vega) finished fourth behind Ahmed, Benjamin Lessennes of Belgium and Venezuela's Mauricio Baiz.