Greater Noida, Oct 28 (IANS): Sahara Force India Formula One team Thursday announced 14-year-old Arjun Maini as the winner of their One in a Billion driving talent hunt.

The first runner-up was 14-year-old Tarun Reddy, while the second runner-up was 13-year-old Jehan Daruvala.

After hosting the regional rounds of the One in a Billion hunt spanning seven cities, Force India chose the three lucky ones from thousands of applicants after the final round held at Silverstone.

An expert panel consisting of Robert Fernley, Deputy Team Principal - Force India, Eddie Jordan, F1 expert and commentator - BBC, Anthony Hamilton and reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg, evaluated and picked the winners on the basis of a holistic assessment of their multiple capabilities and proficiency in requisite areas.

The winners were chosen from the ten finalists selected during the national finals held in Goa. The ten went on to do a week-long intensive stint at Silverstone, comprising sessions of driver tuition on Dmax Karts, a day at the Porsche Human Performance Centre to assess and develop fitness for motorsports and media training with Goodman Media. They then completed their Silverstone experience with a race in Senior Dmax karts at the Daytona Kart Circuit, Milton Keynes.

Maini, Reddy and Daruvala, will receive a fully funded European based driver development programme training with the aim of competing in F1 in the future.