Kush Maini Eyes F2 Win with Formula E Test

Kush Maini, who is 23 years old, went through some big changes. In 2021, he had to stop racing for a while. But now, just two years later, he's getting ready for his second season in F2. He's also become part of Alpine's young driver program and has been named the reserve driver for Mahindra Racing in Formula E.

Stepping up to F2

After taking a break, Kush Maini faced some challenges in the 2022 FIA F3 championship, finishing 14th overall. Instead of repeating a year in F3, he decided to make the leap to F2 in 2023 with Campos Racing.

In F2, Maini showcased impressive speed and even secured his first podium at the Australian GP sprint race. The competitive nature of single-seater racing demands standing out for the right reasons to attract manufacturing support. When questioned about the possibility of repeating a year in F3, Maini explained, “I knew I had the speed to compete at the front in F3, but I chose not to. There's intense focus on F2, and you can't afford mistakes. Despite the doubts, I followed my instincts, and once I got into the F2 car, it felt incredible.”

Kush Maini Gains Support from Alpine and Mahindra

Earlier this year, Maini took a significant step towards his Formula 1 dreams by joining the Alpine F1 team's young driver development program. Being part of this academy means he'll receive guidance not only from the Alpine F1 team but also from the broader Alpine Academy staff. Additionally, he'll have access to the team's advanced facilities at its Enstone base.

However, Maini's ambitions aren't confined to Formula 1. He recently secured the role of Formula E reserve driver with Mahindra Racing. Maini expresses, "I'm keeping my options open. To enhance my skills as a racing driver, I aim to be with top teams in premier championships. Joining both F1 and Formula E, with two exceptional teams, is the ideal path for me."

In his new role as the Formula E reserve driver for Mahindra Racing, Kush Maini will spend a lot of time working on simulations for Formula E. The CEO of Mahindra Racing, Frederic Bertrand, mentions that Maini has been hired not just to represent India but primarily because he is a skilled and fast driver who can challenge and push the team's main drivers, Edoardo Mortara and Nyck de Vries.

Bertrand emphasizes that the priority is to have capable drivers who can contribute valuable knowledge and challenge the team's existing talents. Maini's racing background positions him as one of those drivers.

Adapting to the different driving style of Formula E compared to F2 initially worried Maini. However, he believes that as a racing driver, he can excel in any car and be fast. Embracing this new challenge excites him because, as he puts it, being a quick and adaptable driver is what he strives to be, and if he can't do that, he might as well not race.

Maini thinks that the skills he gains from Formula E can be useful in F2. He points out that Formula E requires a calm and thoughtful approach in the car, with a lot of things to consider. He believes he can bring this composure and strategic thinking to F2, addressing a need he identified in his F2 races this year. According to Maini, staying calm and thinking more during races will be key improvements influenced by his Formula E experience.

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