Kush Maini is everywhere. On the Formula 2 grid, the 24-year-old racing driver from Bengaluru is fighting for wins and a long-awaited breakout season. In the Formula 1 garage, he’s Alpine’s newest test and reserve driver—the first Indian to sign with a Formula 1 team in 13 years.
But for Maini, who’s the only reserve driver with a full-time F2 career, the F1 job title is only part of the story. “Alpine have trust in me, they’ve seen me drive the F1 car in private testing,” he said in a recent interview. “But I still have to prove myself in F2, so that comes before F1 right now.”
Recent changes in F1 rules require teams to provide two free practice sessions to rookie drivers per car, compared to one earlier. At Alpine, Maini competes with three other reserve drivers for the prized opportunity.
Asked if he’s had discussions with Alpine about a free practice session, Maini said: “That’s one of the goals as a reserve and Alpine are very open but, in the end, F1 is a performance sport.”
Maini is in the thick of his third full season in F2 with DAMS Lucas Oil. He had his maiden victory at the Budapest sprint race in 2024 but performance has been lagging.
“F2 hasn't gone exactly the way I would have wanted,” Maini concedes, “even though we've shown flashes of speed and promise.
“I've been given a chance for another year in F2; goal is to fight for the championship.”
If he delivers, the payoff could be historic. “I go to the F1 paddock after my F2 race gets over. I’m in the F1 garage. I know the engineers. If I perform well, I could be next in line (for a potential F1 seat at Alpine),” he said.
That’s a long way from nearly quitting the sport. “In 2021, I was going to stop racing because we ran out of money,” Maini recalls. “Support from sponsors kept my dream alive.”
Now, that dream is taking clearer shape—with Maini pushing not just for his career but for India’s place on the motorsports map.
But for Maini, who’s the only reserve driver with a full-time F2 career, the F1 job title is only part of the story. “Alpine have trust in me, they’ve seen me drive the F1 car in private testing,” he said in a recent interview. “But I still have to prove myself in F2, so that comes before F1 right now.”
Recent changes in F1 rules require teams to provide two free practice sessions to rookie drivers per car, compared to one earlier. At Alpine, Maini competes with three other reserve drivers for the prized opportunity.
Asked if he’s had discussions with Alpine about a free practice session, Maini said: “That’s one of the goals as a reserve and Alpine are very open but, in the end, F1 is a performance sport.”
Maini is in the thick of his third full season in F2 with DAMS Lucas Oil. He had his maiden victory at the Budapest sprint race in 2024 but performance has been lagging.
“F2 hasn't gone exactly the way I would have wanted,” Maini concedes, “even though we've shown flashes of speed and promise.
“I've been given a chance for another year in F2; goal is to fight for the championship.”
If he delivers, the payoff could be historic. “I go to the F1 paddock after my F2 race gets over. I’m in the F1 garage. I know the engineers. If I perform well, I could be next in line (for a potential F1 seat at Alpine),” he said.
That’s a long way from nearly quitting the sport. “In 2021, I was going to stop racing because we ran out of money,” Maini recalls. “Support from sponsors kept my dream alive.”
Now, that dream is taking clearer shape—with Maini pushing not just for his career but for India’s place on the motorsports map.
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