Indian motorsport talent Kush Maini advanced closer to his F1 aspirations after completing another test session with the BWT Alpine F1 team. Maini recently drove the BWT Alpine F1 car at Lusail International Circuit. This was the rookie’s fourth test with the UK-based outfit in the past six months.
Let us take a detailed look at Maini’s journey.
Early life
Born in Bengaluru, a city celebrated for its cosmopolitan life, unpredictable weather, and diverse sports talent, Kush Maini has carved a unique space in its sporting history. In a city where cricket dominates, boasting a World Cup-winning coach and one of the most popular cricket franchises on social media, Maini’s recent fan event drew an enthusiastic crowd of motorsport supporters from across Bengaluru.
Maini grew up in a family with a passion for automobiles, so it was only natural for Maini to follow a path in motorsport. His grandfather, Chetan, pioneered the well-known Reva electric car, and his older brother, Arjun, was already racing karts. With this legacy, Maini was inspired to pursue his own dreams of making it big in racing.
Early career
Kush Maini began his motorsport journey by entering local karting competitions at just 11 years old, before moving to Europe at age 12 to compete internationally. Leaving home at such a young age was challenging, yet it allowed the young Indian racer to follow his dream.
After four years in karting, Maini made his move to single-seater racing at 16, debuting in the Italian Formula 4 series with BVM Racing. Demonstrating consistency early on, he scored points in his first six races and achieved a podium later that season, ultimately finishing 16th overall and fifth among rookies.
In his second year, Maini joined Jenzer Motorsport in Italian F4, claiming two podium finishes and ending the season within the top ten, amassing 114 points. Switching to British F3 proved a turning point. In 2018, his debut season with Lanan Racing saw him finish third overall, securing his first win in a reverse-grid race at Rockingham.
Maini spent 2019 in the Formula Renault Eurocup with the M2 Championship but returned to British F3 in 2020 amid the pandemic. It was a successful comeback, with wins at Donington, Snetterton, and Brands Hatch that set him up for a title battle with Kaylen Frederick, ultimately finishing as runner-up.
Without a full-time seat in 2021, Maini competed with the Mumbai Falcons in the F3 Asian Championship and also made a one-off appearance in the World Endurance Championship, racing in the 6 Hours of Bahrain for ARC Bratislava’s LMP2 team.
A breakthrough move to F2
Kush Maini’s step up to FIA F2 in 2023 with Campos Racing was another major milestone in his career. Throughout the season, he navigated the championship’s challenges, capturing his first podium in Melbourne and ultimately finishing 11th overall. Now, with Invicta Racing, he kicked off the current season with a remarkable recovery drive, scoring points despite an early setback in Bahrain.
Road to F1
Joining the Alpine Academy in 2023 has brought Kush Maini one step closer to achieving his F1 ambitions. His recent stint in Formula 2 has honed his technical skills and built the resilience needed to meet the rigorous demands of F1.
He returned to the track yesterday at Qatar’s Lusail International Circuit, continuing his F1 testing program with the BWT Alpine F1 team, fresh off their double podium finish at the São Paulo Grand Prix. This latest session marked Maini’s fourth test in the past six months, with previous runs in the team’s F1 car in Austria, Italy, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar.
Later this month, Kush will return to Qatar for his Formula 2 race. With only two races remaining in the 2024 season, his Invicta Racing team leads the standings for the Constructors’ Championship. If successful, Kush would become the first Indian driver to win a Formula Racing championship. With five podiums, including a race victory this season, he has played a crucial role in bringing his team to the top.
If Kush does end up making a breakthrough in F1, he will be only the third Indian driver to drive in F1 after Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok.
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
