In a moment destined for Indian motorsport folklore, 24-year-old Kush Maini (right) carved his name into the record books by becoming the first Indian to win a Formula 2 race – and he did it on the hallowed tarmac of Monaco.
The young racer from Bengaluru clinched victory in the F2 Sprint Race on May 24, driving for DAMS Lucas Oil and mastering one of the most unforgiving circuits in the sport with remarkable precision and composure, reported The Times of India.
Maini’s triumph is more than a personal milestone; it’s a watershed moment for India on the global racing map. No Indian driver had ever stood on the top step of the F2 podium before.
To do so at the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix, a circuit that tests the mettle of even the best in the world, amplifies the magnitude of the achievement.
Born on Sept 22, 2000, in Bengaluru, Kush grew up in a family steeped in motorsport. His elder brother, Arjun Maini, is a former Formula 2 driver and a constant source of inspiration.
From early karting stints at local circuits to globe-trotting campaigns in junior series, Kush’s journey has been a tale of relentless perseverance.
He began his international racing career in 2016 in the Italian F4 Championship and went on to compete in the Formula Renault Eurocup, BRDC British Formula 3, and FIA Formula 3. Each step brought with it valuable experience, if not always podiums.
In 2021, he even dabbled in endurance racing, competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship, a move that further refined his adaptability and racecraft.
But the real leap came in 2023 when Maini graduated to FIA Formula 2, widely considered the last proving ground before Formula 1.
Starting with Campos Racing, he moved to Invicta Racing where he earned his first podium. Then came the switch to DAMS Lucas Oil, setting the stage for the breakthrough moment in Monaco.
Qualifying 10th for the Feature Race meant Maini started on pole for the Sprint Race, thanks to the reverse-grid rule. But Monaco is no charity – it demands perfection.
With barely any room for error and overtaking next to impossible, the pressure was on from the moment the lights went out.
Maini rose to the occasion. For 30 nerve-racking laps around Monte Carlo’s iconic narrow streets, he delivered a near-flawless performance, fending off pressure from rivals and maintaining control with clinical composure, reported formulaone.com.
The result? A historic win that had him singing the Indian national anthem on the podium, tears in his eyes and pride in his voice.
“P1 and first Indian to win at Monaco. It’s a great honour and a dream come true, really. We kept believing,” Maini said post-race, crediting his DAMS Lucas Oil team for their unwavering support through the ups and downs.
India has produced talented drivers before – Narain Karthikeyan, Karun Chandhok and even Maini’s brother Arjun – but sustained success at the international level has remained elusive.
Maini’s win, especially at Monaco, is not just a feel-good story; it’s a statement of intent. It signals that Indian drivers can not only compete but also win on the biggest stages.
Backing from motorsport stalwarts such as Gautam Singhania’s JK Racing and TVS Racing has played a crucial role in his journey. Singhania was present in Monaco and celebrated alongside Maini in the pit lane, his pride evident.
“This is not just Kush’s win. It’s a win for Indian motorsport. We’ve supported him for years, and this is the moment we’ve all been working towards,” Singhania said.
Maini’s Monaco win has put him firmly in the spotlight and reignited talk of a potential full-time Formula 1 seat in the near future. Currently serving as a reserve driver for the BWT Alpine F1 Team, he now has both the credibility and the momentum to make a serious case.
His win at Monaco marks his first with DAMS and his second in a Sprint Race format. It moved him up to 13th in the F2 standings, 54 points adrift of current leader Alexander Dunne.
The focus now shifts to Barcelona next weekend, where Maini will look to convert this momentum into a sustained championship push.
