The BWT Alpine Formula 1 team has added a fresh burst of talent to its ranks, signing 24-year-old Indian motorsport prodigy Kush Maini as their test and reserve driver for the 2025 season. A product of the Alpine Academy, Maini—hailing from Bengaluru—has steadily climbed the racing ladder since his Formula 4 debut in 2016.
Currently slated to compete in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with DAMS, his Alpine promotion marks a pivotal leap in his career. But who is Kush Maini, and how did he capture the spotlight? Let’s dive in.
From karting tracks to F1 simulators: The meteoric rise of Kush Maini
Kush Maini’s journey to Alpine’s elite roster is a tale of grit, grease, and glory. Born in Bengaluru, the 24-year-old began his racing odyssey at just 10 years old, clinching his first major victory in the karting division of the Indian National Championship. Competing against older rivals, including fellow Indian racer Jehan Daruvala, that early triumph ignited his passion. “It gave me confidence,” Maini later reflected, hinting at the drive that would propel him onto the global stage.
After honing his skills in karting circuits across the UK, Italy, and Switzerland, Maini shifted gears to single-seater racing in 2016, debuting in the Italian F4 Championship. His knack for speed soon shone through: he dominated the British Formula 3 series, securing multiple wins and a runner-up finish in 2020.
Stints in the Formula Renault Eurocup and F3 Asian Championship followed, where he raced for Mumbai Falcons and bagged a podium at Hungary’s Hungaroring in 2022.
But it was his leap to Formula 2 that cemented his reputation. In 2023, Kush Maini stunned fans with a second-place finish in Bahrain’s feature race and a podium in Melbourne while driving for Campos Racing.
Alpine’s faith in Maini isn’t just symbolic. As test and reserve driver, he’ll leverage the team’s cutting-edge simulator in Enstone, UK, to refine car development and participate in their Testing of Previous Cars program.
“I’m excited to build on what I’ve learned,” Maini shared, though he remains laser-focused on his 2025 Formula 2 campaign. “My priority is starting strong in Australia this weekend.”
Beyond the track, Kush Maini’s story is one of familial inspiration. His older brother, Arjun, is also a racer, making motorsport a shared legacy. Yet Kush’s trajectory—from Bengaluru’s karting circuits to Alpine’s F1 garage—stands uniquely poised to inspire a new generation of Indian talent.