Kush Maini Signs with ART Grand Prix for 2026 F2 Season

Kush Maini will compete for ART Grand Prix in the 2026 Formula 2 season, starting a new chapter in his journey as he moves from DAMS Lucas Oil after three years in the championship. The Bengaluru driver joins the French team with race-winning experience, steady scoring runs and a record that includes two victories and seven podium finishes. ART Grand Prix confirmed the move on 9 December 2025 as the team began its build-up to pre-season testing. Maini’s 2025 run featured a feature race win in Monaco and a climb of 13 places in Abu Dhabi, results that shaped his momentum heading into the new year. ART now continues winter preparation through simulator work, performance checks and test sessions before the season opens in Bahrain.

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Maini carries experience from previous stints with Campos Racing in 2023 and Invicta Racing in another campaign. These seasons added exposure to varied engineering groups and different car setups. His route to Formula 2 included a runner-up finish in the 2020 BRDC British Formula 3 Championship and a podium result in the 2022 FIA Formula 3 season.

Alongside his Formula 2 commitments, Maini remains involved with the BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team as reserve and test driver. He drove the A525 during the post-season Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi, marking his third official Formula 1 appearance. Alpine uses data from these runs to study tyre behaviour, long-run pace and qualifying rhythm, supporting shared development across both programmes.

Maini continues under the guidance of two-time Formula 1 champion Mika Hakkinen. His development plan includes simulator laps, private tests and ongoing feedback as he positions himself for potential Formula 1 opportunities in 2027. The 2026 Formula 2 schedule features 14 rounds across Europe, Asia and the Middle East, many of them held on Formula 1 weekends.

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ART Grand Prix enters the new season with a record 12 teams’ titles and 31 drivers’ championships across Formula 2 and earlier formats. The team bases its driver selection on data, race trends and evaluation sessions. Maini’s results, adaptability and approach fit the operation’s structure as preparation continues for a competitive 2026 campaign.