Mumbai: In what is being considered a historic moment for Indian motorsport, 25-year-old Kush Maini became the first Indian to win a Formula 2 race at the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix on Saturday. Maini delivered a phenomenal victory in the Sprint Race for DAMS Lucas Oil.
His performance has drawn widespread praise with Mahindra and Mahindra chairman Anand Mahindra posting: “You are Standing Tall and the country stands tall with you. Kush Maini making history as the 1st Indian winner of an F2 race in Monte Carlo… We are proud to have you on our team.”
Maini started the Sprint Race from pole position, earned through Formula 2’s reverse-grid rule, which inverts the top ten qualifiers from Friday, he seized the opportunity after qualifying 10th for the Feature Race.
The victory was a personal milestone for Maini and a proud moment for fans. The Indian national anthem echoed across the iconic circuit during the podium ceremony, with Maini standing tall and singing along.
Currently serving as a reserve driver for the BWT Alpine F1 Team, Maini’s breakthrough win at Monaco has significantly elevated his profile. It has also reignited discussions about a potential full-time Formula 1 seat shortly.
According to the Indian Express, the young Indian racer had an impressive campaign in the 2024 Formula 2 season, securing five podium finishes, including a memorable win in Hungary. His consistent performance was instrumental in helping Invicta Racing clinch the Teams’ Championship title. Maini also made history earlier in the season by becoming the first Indian driver to secure a pole position in Formula 2, achieving the milestone at the Jeddah circuit.
“Being a reserve driver for the BWT Alpine F1 Team is an incredible opportunity, and a moment of immense pride for me and my family as it’s been my dream to represent the Tricolor in F1. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’m deeply grateful for the trust the team has placed in me. I’m excited to kickstart 2025 and continue this remarkable journey,” Maini told the newspaper.