Why is Kush Maini’s achievement such a big deal that the entire nation is celebrating?
Because when the Indian national anthem played in Monaco — yes, Monaco — it gave every motorsport-loving Indian goosebumps. Standing tall on the podium, Kush Maini became the first Indian ever to win an F2 race at Monte Carlo — and in that moment, it wasn’t just him up there… it felt like all of India stood with him.
Born in Bengaluru, Kush comes from a family where motorsports runs in the blood. His brother, Arjun Maini, is also a racing driver, and his uncle, Chetan Maini, is a prominent name in the automotive industry. Safe to say — racing is part of the family legacy.
And there’s more. Kush is currently a reserve driver for the Alpine F1 team — a huge feat on its own. But the dream isn’t just to be on standby. The real goal? A full-time Formula 1 seat. The big question now is — can he make it happen in 2025?
While winning an F2 race is massive for any Indian driver, here’s a quick reality check: Kush’s win came in the Sprint Race, which uses a reverse grid format. That means the top 10 qualifiers start in reverse order — Kush qualified 10th, so he started the Sprint Race from pole. But credit where it’s due — holding off a grid full of hungry racers at Monaco is no walk in the park. He earned points, pride, and a place in the history books.
But let’s be honest — one race win won’t seal a seat in F1. To truly make an impact, Kush will need to go all in and win the F2 World Championship. That’s when Formula 1 starts paying serious attention.
And if he does that? He’ll become only the third Indian ever to race in Formula 1, following the footsteps of Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok. From the streets of Bengaluru to the circuits of Monte Carlo — this is the underdog story we’re all cheering for.
Buckle up. Kush Maini’s engine is just getting started.
