Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: India's Kush Maini Makes History with Podium Finish in Formula 2

In the Saudi Arabia F2 Grand Prix, held at the Jeddah circuit in Saudi Arabia, Kush Maini achieved an outstanding second-place finish with a time of 57 minutes, 5.474 seconds. This race took place as part of the Formula 2 Championship's Round 2 Jeddah Feature. The winning timer was Enzo Fittipaldi of Van Amersfoort Racing with a time of 56 minutes, 57.579 seconds.

With an incredible second-place finish, separated by barely seconds from the race victor, Maini—representing Invicta Racing—celebrated his second-ever podium finish in his Formula 2 career. After qualifying as the second fastest, he started on pole position, which greatly improved his already impressive performance. Oliver Bearman, who filled in for Carlos Sainz as Ferrari's Formula One driver for the weekend, was not present, which helped Maini go to the top of the line even more.

After finishing on the podium, Kush said, "“It was good. We know there are a few places to improve but it’s quite clear and everyone’s on the same page. Considering we’re P2, we’ll take that. Going into Qualifying, we know there’s margin to improve so it gives us a positive vibe going forward."

When the first race week in Bahrain took place, Maini accomplished the remarkable—finishing seventh—despite starting the race from the back of the field due to a disqualification in qualifying. This setback hasn't stopped Maini from racking up 27 points, which puts him in fifth place in the present standings.

F2: Kush Maini and Single-Seater Series

Invicta Racing is Kush Maini's new team as he begins his second season in the FIA Formula 2. This transfer follows Maini's dominant 2023 rookie season, in which he finished second in Australia for the first time.

Following his ascent in FIA Formula 3, where he finished thirteenth in the 2022 Drivers' Championship with MP Motorsport, Maini began his career in single-seater racing in 2016 in Italian F4. With his talent and perseverance, he finished third in the British F3 in 2018 and an incredible second in 2020. On top of all that, Maini broadened his horizons by taking on the FIA World Endurance Championship and racing in the F3 Asia series.

F2: Kush Maini and His Other Duties

Along with his duties as an Alpine Academy Driver, Kush Maini will be Mahindra Racing's reserve driver in Season 10 of the FIA Formula E, succeeding Jehan Daruvala. This Bengaluru-based racer came to light in October of last year after being announced as the apprentice of two-time Formula One champion Mika Hakkinen.

After joining Mahindra Racing not long ago, Maini will work closely with Edoardo Mortara, Nyck de Vries, and Jordan King, the team's key racing drivers. As the team's official reserve driver, he is responsible for taking part in simulator sessions, lending his support to certain e-Prix events, and testing the M10Electro race vehicle.

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