Maini will also test an older-spec F1 car this year as part of the Alpine young driver programme.
After a lengthy break, the 2024 Formula 2 (F2) season resumes at Imola this weekend. Three rounds in, Kush Maini stands fifth overall, with one pole and two podium finishes to his name so far this year. But the Indian racer believes he has what it takes to fight for the title.
Highs and lows of racing
Maini’s performance in his debut F2 season earned him backing from the Alpine F1 team and even caught the attention of two-time F1 world champion Mika Hakkinen, who is mentoring the Indian. But he admits this also raises the stakes. “There’s always pressure coming into a second year, specially backed by an F1 team, [with] the country’s hopes riding on you. You have one more year to deliver,” he says.
“I feel I needed the second year in F2 to build on my first strong year. That’s exactly what we’re doing and we just need to continue down this path.”
Having joined Invicta Racing this year, Maini showed he had the pace to fight at the front right from the start. But it’s been a rollercoaster opening three rounds. He bagged pole position at the Bahrain season-opener, with a time that was two-tenths clear of his closest rival (and teammate) Gabriel Bortoleto. However, the joy of being the first Indian driver to secure pole in F2 was soon replaced with disappointment, as he was disqualified due to a technical infringement.
“That was one of the craziest days I’ve ever had because that high and then two hours later that massive low – what a contrast! That’s something only this sport can give you.”
And the next round in Saudi Arabia only further proved this to be true. Maini ended up inheriting pole position after Olver Bearman was called in to replace Carlos Sainz – who underwent surgery for appendicitis – at the last moment. The round saw him make his first podium appearance this year, with a P2 finish in the feature race.
“We really struggled in the sprint. Obviously, it’s a new car for us and knowing that we’re starting on pole for the feature [race], the sprint was just more of test. So, we took a few risks, we treated it like a test session,” Maini explains.
While he only scored one point in the sprint, Maini believes it was a crucial race to build his confidence with Invicta. “The next day, the car was completely different and it was amazing. I’m happy that [the sprint] happened because that improved my trust in the team massively. It’s been such a pleasure working with them; they really do listen to the driver, which I’m very glad about,” he says.
Maini: Would have done things differently at Australian GP
Maini reckons he could have also scored pole in Australia had it not been for the ill-timed red flag. While he picked up another podium in the sprint race, he lost a handful of points after opting for the alternative strategy in the feature race. “The decision [to start on medium tyres] was made on the grid; normally you make a strategy decision much before,” Maini reveals.
For a while, it seemed like this strategy would work and Maini was the fastest driver on track. However, the timing of the Safety Car compromised all those who were running on the alternative strategy and he ended up finishing 12th.
In hindsight, Maini believes it was an unnecessary gamble. “We would have won that race on pace because we chose the quicker strategy. But unfortunately, the team and I both learnt a lesson. It was a mutual decision and I don’t think it was right to gamble because [on] a track like Australia,”
“There are a lot of chances for a Safety Car and going on the alternative strategy, you put yourself in a lot more risk. And I think that day there was no need to take that risk. So, looking back, it was a lesson and I would have done things differently if I could re-live it,” he shares.
Fighting for the F2 title
So far this season, Maini has shown that he has the one-lap pace. Now, it’s simply a matter of converting that into race wins, and the 23-year-old is confident that he’ll fight for the championship this year. He currently sits fifth in the standings, 29 points behind championship leader Zane Maloney.
“If you see the trajectory, we are getting stronger,” he says. “My confidence is high and we’re going to fight for the championship, that’s the goal. To do that you have to win, but you also have to finish every race in the points and that’s my main goal right now. I know if I maximise my potential and the car’s potential every weekend, then we’ll be in the fight properly.”
Maini to test F1 car this year
Maini also confirms that he will be testing an older-spec F1 car (likely the 2023-spec) later this year as part of the Alpine young driver programme. “For Alpine, the main goal is for them to prepare me for the next step. After every F2 race, I go and watch the F1 Grand Prix in the garage with the radio channel on as much as I can,” he adds.
At 23 years old, Maini is one of the older drivers on the F2 grid, but he believes this is an advantage. “My career has been very different to the kids you see in F2 today. Three years ago I was probably going to stop racing single seaters, there was probably a one percent chance that I’d be in the position I am today,” he says.
“It just shows that you’ve got to keep working and keep believing. I’m happy with the lessons I learned because I’ve gone through experiences that other drivers necessarily have not in this championship and that’s built my maturity. I think that’s what F1 teams are looking for as well. I am older than a lot of the boys, but I do bring to the table a lot of things that they don’t.”
Round 4 of the 2024 F2 season will be held alongside the F1 Imola GP this weekend (May 17-19). Watch this space for all the updates.
Also see:
Kush Maini: ‘Formula E test role can help improve F2 results’