F1 remains the dream, eyeing strong finish to F2 season: Kush Maini

The 25-year-old is racing for ART Grand Prix in F2 this season and has shown flashes of strong pace, taking two pole positions and winning the Barcelona Sprint race. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Formula One remains firmly the goal for Indian racer Kush Maini, who believes his pace in the Formula 2 championship and growing involvement with Alpine have put him in a position to push for a seat at the pinnacle of motorsport.

Maini, who is in London for the Formula E season finale as Mahindra Racing’s reserve driver, said he is determined to finish strongly in the five F2 races remaining this season before turning his attention to his F1 ambitions.

“For me, Formula 1 is my goal. It’s my dream. For me, it’s still very much there and that’s what I’m pushing for,” Main told reporters ahead of season-ending London E Prix.

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The 25-year-old is racing for ART Grand Prix in F2 this season and has shown flashes of strong pace, taking two pole positions and winning the Barcelona Sprint race. He also finished third in the Silverstone Feature race and was runner-up in the Budapest Feature race.

Considering that Maini is already in his fourth F2 season, graduation to the F1 level is all the more challenging Maini, however, acknowledged that his results have not consistently reflected his speed.

“We’ve shown some really good pace. Obviously, the results probably have not been as good as the pace. There’s still five races to go. A lot can happen.”

Maini is also part of the Alpine Formula 1 programme and said he remains closely involved with the team, including simulator work and preparations for race weekends.

He also revealed that he is scheduled to drive an Alpine F1 car for a two-day test at the Red Bull Ring, using the team’s 2025-specification car.

Maini believes his previous F1 testing experience has given him confidence that he can operate at that level.

“In all the tests, I’ve been very quick,” he said, recalling his running at last year’s Abu Dhabi test alongside Alpine race driver Pierre Gasly.

“I was matching Pierre lap for lap. In that sense, I think I have a great relationship with all the engineers. I’ve worked for a lot of time with them. I have a lot of experience in F1 now.” But Maini accepts that pace alone will not be enough to secure a Formula 1 opportunity.

Kush Maini believes his previous F1 testing experience has given him confidence that he can operate at that level. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

He said earning the points required for an FIA Super License remains an important objective, while consistency, maturity, technical feedback and avoiding costly mistakes are equally significant factors for an F1 team.

Maini also feels his return to form with ART has been significant after what he described as difficult previous seasons.

“This year, ART have also struggled like I have in the last two-three years. To bring them back, and then they bring me back, I think is a big statement. It shows that me and the team, we turn things around in a very short span of time,” he said.

“Every time I get in an F1 car, I learn”, Maini said his Alpine involvement has taught him that an F1 driver’s role extends well beyond outright speed.

He highlighted the importance of giving precise technical feedback and understanding what the car needs during testing.

The Indian driver said the sophistication of an F1 car also places a greater responsibility on the driver to extract performance through adjustments.

“Every time I jump in the F1 car there’s so many more things you have to think about that when you get into the F2 car everything becomes quite clear,” he said.

Kush Maini’s F1 ambitions remain his priority, but his association with Mahindra Racing gives him a strong connection to Formula E.

“I’ve been with them for a couple of years now. So I’ve been a part of the journey. I also do a lot of stuff with them back home in India. So I’m very much a part of the family and I feel a part of the family. To be here cheering them on is a very proud moment for me,” he said.

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Maini, who has spent much of his career racing in Europe after leaving India at the age of 12, also hopes his journey can eventually help create a clearer pathway for young Indian drivers.

“There’s no platform to perform at a high level in India right now. You’re only as good as your competition. You can be winning in India and you come here and you finish last. It makes no sense,” he said.

For now, though, Maini’s immediate focus remains F2 and earning the opportunity he has been chasing throughout his career.

“All the doors are open for me, but right now my main focus is F1.”