Regardless of boasting a world-class circuit and a passionate fanbase, India has lengthy discovered itself caught within the pit lane in relation to producing top-tier System 1 expertise. The Buddh Worldwide Circuit put the nation on the motorsport map, however a mixture of sky-high prices, weak grassroots techniques, and bureaucratic pink tape derailed its F1 journey. The axing of the Indian Grand Prix in 2013 marked a low level.
Since then, new ventures just like the Indian Racing League and F4 Indian Championship have tried to reboot the dream. Now, with a Monaco win lighting the trail, India might lastly be revving up for a critical comeback.
India’s await its subsequent F1 star could also be over. On Could 24, 24-year-old Kush Maini claimed a historic System 2 dash race victory on the Monaco Grand Prix — turning into the primary Indian to win on the enduring Monte Carlo observe.
Driving for DAMS Lucas Oil, Maini led from pole to complete, executing a flawless lights-to-flag efficiency.
Born in 2000 to a motorsport-savvy household, Kush is a part of a lineage steeped in racing. His brother Arjun can be a driver, and his uncle Chetan Maini, founding father of SUN Mobility, is credited with growing India’s first electrical automotive, the REVA.
Bengaluru-born Kush’s racing journey started with stints in Italian and British F4, later shifting via the System Renault Eurocup and ending runner-up within the 2020 BRDC British System 3 Championship—a title as soon as claimed by his mentor, two-time F1 World Champion Mika Hakkinen.
In System 2, Maini has pushed for Campos Racing, Invicta Racing, and now DAMS. Throughout his time with Invicta, he secured 5 podiums and a win in Hungary, serving to the group clinch the 2024 Constructors’ Championship.
Maini can be a reserve driver for the Alpine F1 group and Mahindra Racing in System E. His Alpine function makes him the primary Indian concerned with an F1 group since 2012, following within the tracks of Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok. He’s actively engaged in Alpine’s improvement program and simulator work.
“P1 and first Indian to win at Monaco. It’s a terrific honour and a dream come true, actually. I wish to thank DAMS and everybody who’s supported me. We maintain believing,” stated Kush after his podium celebration.
He now units his sights on Sunday’s Function Race and the upcoming spherical in Barcelona, hoping to construct on this breakthrough.
