For a country of 1.4 billion individuals, only two have made it to the highest echelon on the road to Formula One. A further three have raced in Formula 2, standing at the doorstep of F1. One of them is Kush Maini, who aims to become the country’s next F1 talent as he undertakes a fourth F2 campaign in 2026. 

Following the 30-minute Formula 2 qualifying in Abu Dhabi, Campos' Nikola Tsolov and DAMS racer Kush Maini have received penalties for their respective infringements during the session.

Kush Maini continues his affiliation with Mahindra Racing, and is set to serve as the team's official reserve driver for the upcoming Formula E campaign. The Indian has taken part in several rookie tests for the team over the past two campaigns.

DAMS are certainly a team on the up in Formula 2 in 2025. Having scored no points in the first three races, the duo of Jak Crawford and Kush Maini amassed 73 of their 94 points in the previous triple header. 

For the best part of four Formula 2 weekends, DAMS racer Kush Maini had failed to break into the upper echelons of the top ten. Several factors beyond the Indian's control had hampered the start to a new season with his new team, before a breakthrough weekend in Monaco followed up a season best third in qualifying at Spain.

It hasn't been the ideal start for Kush Maini and DAMS since the duo joined forces for 2025. But, seldom do opportunities to take a special victory around the history-laden streets of Monaco arise, and the Indian racer duly took it with both hands, converting reverse-grid pole to victory.

Written by Vyas Ponnuri Kush Maini put India back on the top step of a Formula 2 podium for the first time in two seasons, having...

Written by Vyas Ponnuri Round nine of the FIA Formula 2 world championship at Hungary gave us a 14th different race winner, in the form...