Indian motorsport fans have a new reason to celebrate as Kush Maini has been appointed as the test and reserve driver for the BWT Alpine F1 Team ahead of the season opener in Melbourne on March 16.
The 24-year-old from Bengaluru now joins an exclusive club of Indian drivers associated with Formula 1, following Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok, reported the Hindustan Times.
Maini’s journey to Formula 1 has been marked by dedication and perseverance. Starting with karting, he progressed through junior categories like BRDC British Formula 3 and FIA Formula 3 before earning a spot in Formula 2, the stepping stone to F1.
His consistent performances caught the attention of Alpine, leading to his promotion as a reserve driver while he continues to compete in Formula 2 with DAMS Lucas Oil.
In October 2023, Maini joined the Alpine Academy, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Competing in the 2024 Formula 2 season, he secured five podium finishes, including a victory in Budapest, further cementing his reputation as a rising star.
His strong performances earned Alpine’s trust, leading to his new test and reserve driver role.
In this position, Maini will play a crucial role in Alpine’s car development programme, working in their state-of-the-art simulator at Enstone, United Kingdom, reported Reuters.
He will also gain valuable on-track experience through Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) sessions, helping him adapt to Formula 1 machinery.
Expressing his excitement, Maini said: “I am delighted to step up to the role of test and reserve driver for BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team this season. I look forward to getting more track time in Formula 1 machinery and building on what I’ve learned with the team.”
Alpine Academy Director Julian Rouse praised Maini’s rapid development, saying: “Kush has impressed the team across his TPC performances and Formula 2 results. We expect he will continue to do so in 2025.”
Maini joins an elite group of Alpine reserve drivers, including Paul Aron, Ryo Hirakawa and Franco Colapinto.
While his immediate focus remains on Formula 2, his new role brings him closer to securing a full-time Formula 1 seat – a dream that now seems well within reach.
