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Kush Maini becomes first Indian to win F2 Monaco Grand Prix
The Indian motorsports racing driver is drawing praise for clinching the win in one of the toughest circuits in the world.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Tue, 27, May 2025
- 02:26 EDT
- 84
Kush Maini. / FIA F2 website
Kush Maini, a 24-year-old racer from Bengaluru has created history by becoming the first Indian to secure a Formula 2 victory. The win came at the iconic Monaco Grand Prix, one of the most prestigious and toughest circuits in existence.
Driving for DAMS Lucas Oil, Maini sped across the legendary Monte Carlo streets to mark his maiden F2 victory and his first podium finish this season. Executing a perfect light to flag stint, he navigated the track with exemplary skill and composure. Talking about the race at the press conference after the winning lap, he said “I was struggling a bit with front locking and one of my brakes fell asleep, so it was just not about going for the quickest lap this race, but about being consistent, and not making mistakes and just controlling the race, which I feel we did.”
The post-win celebrations settled down soon and a profound shift settled over the crowd when the Indian National Anthem played. For Indian fans, many of whom had traveled far, the moment was overwhelming. Maini’s achievement, the first Indian to stand atop an F2 podium in such fashion, resonated deeply, and evoked a surge of national pride.
Since a very young age, Maini has been following in his brother, legendary driver, Arjun Maini’s footsteps. “As a young kid from India, playing F1 on a PlayStation, I never thought I’d be here and winning in the second tier. So really grateful, grateful to the team as well,” he said in the post-race press conference.
The Bengaluru-born racer's professional journey from Italian and British F4 to now the coveted F2 Monaco win has created a renewed sense of hope in the Indian Motorsport fanbase.
He previously competed in Formula 2 with Campos Racing, Invicta Racing, and is currently with DAMS. While with Invicta, he achieved five podium finishes and a victory in Hungary, contributing to the team's 2024 Constructors’ Championship win.
Maini also serves as a reserve driver for both the Alpine F1 team and Mahindra Racing in Formula E. His role with Alpine marks him as the first Indian associated with an F1 team since 2012, following Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok.
Indian industrialist Anand Mahindra, chairman of the Mahindra Group, has publicly supported Maini, notably celebrating his historic Formula 2 Sprint Race win at the Monaco Grand Prix on May 24.
Mahindra Racing’s backing of Maini aligns with their commitment to promoting Indian talent in global motorsport, with Anand Mahindra personally acknowledging Maini’s achievements on X.
You are Standing Tall, @kmainiofficial and the country stands tall with you.
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) May 24, 2025
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 at @MahindraRacing pic.twitter.com/mJJg2Dlxpo
Kush Maini’s triumph signals a bright future, with fans and analysts eyeing a potential F1 seat. For now, Maini’s Hungarian heroics have ignited a nation’s dreams.
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