Latest news with #Formula2
Time of India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
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 Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now 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.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Sydney Morning Herald
Pileup crash jams Monaco streets before F1 race
Before Oscar Piastri and Formula 1 hit the streets of Monaco, a huge pileup crash at turn one takes out 12 drivers at the start of Formula 2's feature race. Loading
The Age
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Age
Pileup crash jams Monaco streets before F1 race
Before Oscar Piastri and Formula 1 hit the streets of Monaco, a huge pileup crash at turn one takes out 12 drivers at the start of Formula 2's feature race. Loading
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Irish Daily Mirror
Lando Norris wins Monaco Grand Prix as F1 pit-stop rule change gamble fails
Lando Norris clinched another predictable Monaco Grand Prix victory as Formula 1's pit stop gamble fell flat. All drivers were compelled to make two changes on Sunday in an attempt to inject some excitement into the event, but it proved fruitless. Instead, it resulted in a scenario where teams could bank on the narrow Monte Carlo streets making overtaking impossible, allowing one driver to slow down others to give their team-mates enough time to pit. Racing Bulls and Williams were among those who successfully utilised such a strategy, leaving a disgruntled George Russell to face a hefty penalty for angrily cutting a chicane. However, there was scant drama at the front. Norris started on pole thanks to his record-breaking qualifying lap and remained there, even with Charles Leclerc ramping up the pressure. Oscar Piastri finished third, exactly where he started, while Max Verstappen came fourth after pitting late from the lead with Red Bull taking a punt on a late red flag that never materialised. Lewis Hamilton managed to match his best Grand Prix result for Ferrari so far by finishing fifth ahead of newcomer Isack Hadjar who capitalised on that Racing Bulls strategy to pull off a very impressive result. Neither of the Mercedes cars made it into the top 10, reports the Mirror. In contrast to the Formula 2 feature race earlier in the day, which saw a 12-car pile-up at the first corner, everyone managed to navigate Sainte-Devote without incident this time. However, there was a mishap on the first lap when Gabriel Bortoleto crashed his Sauber into the barrier, caught off guard by Kimi Antonelli. The Brazilian managed to reverse and continue, making it to the pit lane to fit a new front wing and carry on. But it wasn't long before we had our first casualty of the race when Pierre Gasly locked up his rear wheels and collided with the back of Yuki Tsunoda. This completely wrecked the front-left of the Alpine but he persevered, limping the car back to the garage. But that was "super dangerous" according to pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz who said he expected both team and driver would be "in bother" for not immediately parking what was quite clearly a heavily damaged car. At the front, Norris had locked up at the first corner but still held onto the lead from Leclerc. And he did so until he became the first of the front-runners to pit, rejoining the race in fourth place and, perhaps most crucially, with a few seconds of clear air. He could demonstrate the speed he needed to make certain that, by the time his rivals made their pit stops, they would come back out right behind him. A tardy stop for Piastri wrecked any chance of an undercut on Leclerc, particularly as Ferrari's pit crew was on top form, needing just two seconds for a full tyre change. Verstappen hoped to stay out longer than the rest in the first stint, aiming for a gap large enough to undercut Piastri. But his strategy hit a snag when he encountered slower backmarkers and had to go for an earlier tyre change to avoid losing position to Hamilton. Alonso, who had shown promise running in the top 10, suffered an engine failure at the halfway mark, ensuring that after eight Grand Prix weekends, he is yet to score a point in 2025. He had expressed frustration at his bad luck in Imola last week, and it seems his misfortunes are far from over. Midfield racing antics saw plenty of tactical manoeuvring, with some drivers slowing down to assist teammates in securing a big enough pit window to retain position. This riled up Russell, who lambasted Albon's driving as "erratically". A driver scuppered his chances at the Monaco Grand Prix after cutting the Nouvelle Chicane and overtaking a Williams, obstinately telling his team on the radio he'd "rather take the penalty". However, the expected five or 10-second punishment turned into a drive-through, costing him about 20 seconds overall. Furthermore, neither he nor his teammate had pitted yet, which dashed any hopes of scoring points. The same fate befell Tsunoda, who dropped to the back following his final stops. Here are the full 2025 Monaco Grand Prix results:. DNF: Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin; Pierre Gasly - Alpine.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Hans India
Huge moment for Indian motorsport: Amit Malviya after Kush Maini's Formula 2 race win
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya on Sunday said that with Kush Maini's win in the Formula 2 race at the Monte Carlo circuit in Monaco, history has been scripted, and it's a huge moment for Indian motorsport. He said that the victory of Kush, who has become the first Indian to achieve the laurel, shows that India is no longer just watching motorsport but competing at the highest levels. Malviya exuded hope that soon the F1 race would see participation by an Indian driver. In a series of posts on social media platform X, Malviya said that: "INDIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM IN MONACO. History has been made! Kush Maini has become the first-ever Indian to win a Formula 2 race at the legendary Monte Carlo circuit in Monaco! This isn't just a personal milestone—it is a huge moment for Indian motorsport." The BJP leader also shared information about Formula 2 (F2), saying it is the final step before Formula 1 (F1) -- the pinnacle of global motorsport. "But wait, what is Formula 2? Formula 2 (F2) is the final step before Formula 1 (F1) -- the pinnacle of global motorsport. It is where the world's best young drivers prove their talent before entering F1. Every F1 driver you know -- from Hamilton to Leclerc -- once raced in F2. So when an Indian wins in F2, especially at a track as iconic as Monaco, it is not just a race win—it is a statement," his post read. "Kush's victory shows that India is no longer just watching motorsport—we are now competing at the highest levels. Here is to many more podiums and an Indian driver in F1 soon. Jai Hind!" he posted. Notably, Kush Maini secured victory in the Monte Carlo Sprint Race for DAMS Lucas Oil, converting pole position at the Circuit de Monaco. The Indian driver held off fellow Alpine Academy talent Gabriele Minì, who finished second for PREMA Racing, and became the first Indian driver to win a race at the iconic venue. Soon after Maini's win, the Indian National Anthem was played at Monaco. After winning the race, Mani said: "P1, first Indian to win in Monaco too. It's a great honour and a dream come true. I want to say thank you to DAMS and everyone who has supported me. We keep believing!"
