Who is Kush Maini, the first Indian to win a Formula 2 race?
If you're even a little into motorsport, there's a name you should definitely keep an eye on—Kush Maini. This young driver from Bangalore just made headlines by becoming the first Indian ever to win a Formula 2 race, and he did it at none other than the iconic Monaco Grand Prix in May 2025.
That's right—Monaco! One of the most prestigious and challenging circuits in the world. And now, this 24-year-old has etched his name into motorsport history.
Kush was born on September 22, 2000, in Bangalore, into a family that lives and breathes racing. His older brother, Arjun Maini, is also a professional driver, so the motorsport bug bit early. It wasn't long before young Kush was karting around local tracks, already dreaming of Formula 1.
Kush Maini's racing journey really took off back in 2016, when he jumped into the Italian F4 Championship, a popular launchpad for future F1 legends. From there, it was a steady grind up the motorsport ladder. He hustled through series like the Formula Renault Eurocup, BRDC British Formula 3, and then made it to FIA Formula 3. Oh, and just to mix things up, he even gave endurance racing a go in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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Undo
The guy's got range.
Those years weren't always packed with trophies, but that's what made them so important. Every race, every lap, Kush was learning the ropes, sharpening his skills, and building the kind of grit you need to survive (and thrive) at the top. He may not have been grabbing headlines just yet, but he was absolutely laying the groundwork.
Then came 2023, and things got real. Kush stepped up to FIA Formula 2, the last big stop before F1.
He signed with Campos Racing and started showing glimpses of the racer he was becoming. But it wasn't until he moved to Invicta Racing that the stars really aligned. In 2024, he bagged his first podium finish with a Sprint Race win in Hungary—a moment that got fans, teams, and the media to sit up and pay attention.
But the real showstopper came in May 2025, at the Monaco Grand Prix. Thanks to the reverse-grid setup, Kush started the Sprint Race from pole position—and man, did he deliver.
Monaco is a beast of a track. The streets are tight, there's barely room to breathe, and one tiny mistake can end it all. But Kush? He kept it cool. Lap after lap, he stayed sharp, didn't put a wheel wrong, and crossed the finish line in first place.
And just like that, he became the first Indian ever to win an F2 race.
Why he matters for India
India has had a few racers reach global stages: Narain Karthikeyan, Karun Chandhok, and Kush's own brother, Arjun. But consistent top-level performance has been rare. Kush's win feels different. It's not just symbolic, it's competitive.
His victory sends a powerful message to young Indian motorsport hopefuls: you can do this too. With the right backing, training, and grit, you can stand on podiums in Europe and beat the best in the world.
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