Indian Race-car Driver Kush Maini Secures Historic First Win in FIA Formula 2 Championship
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/21st July 2024
Kush Maini has etched his name into the annals of Indian motorsport history by clinching his first victory in the FIA Formula 2 Championship, becoming only the second Indian driver to achieve this milestone. The 23-year-old secured his maiden win after Richard Verschoor was disqualified due to a technical violation following the race.
This victory was a significant boost for Maini, as it earned him 10 crucial points, elevating his position in the Formula 2 Drivers Standings. With a total of 66 points, Maini has moved ahead of Mercedes junior driver Kimi Antonelli, placing him in eighth position. His performance in Round 9 of the F2 Championship at the Hungaroring demonstrated both his resilience and skill under challenging conditions.
Starting from ninth on the grid, Maini faced an uphill battle, especially after a difficult beginning on hard compound tires, which saw him lose a position to Antonelli on the opening lap. Despite this setback, Maini remained composed and methodically worked his way up through the ranks. By Lap 17, he had managed to reclaim second place, showcasing his strategic racing and ability to handle pressure.
In the final 11 laps, Maini not only defended his position vigorously but also relentlessly challenged Verschoor. His adept handling of the demanding Hungaroring circuit was evident as he maintained his lead and demonstrated his racing prowess.
This victory marks a career high for Maini, who is currently the only Indian driver in the 2024 Formula 2 grid. His season has been exceptional, featuring five podium finishes, including this pivotal win. After being declared the race winner, Maini shared his excitement with the Formula 2 community on Instagram, expressing his gratitude to his team for their unwavering support.
Maini’s triumph comes on the heels of a thrilling experience at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where he drove the iconic E20 Lotus in Alpine livery. This car, previously raced by legends Kimi Räikkönen and Romain Grosjean, provided Maini with an additional boost of confidence heading into the race at the Hungaroring.
The Invicta Racing driver’s success was further highlighted by the performance of his teammates. Victor Martins, another Alpine junior, inherited second place due to Verschoor’s disqualification, while Maini’s Invicta teammate Gabriel Bortoleto finished 16th in the sprint race.
As Maini prepares for the feature race in Budapest, he will look to build on this victory and continue his impressive season. Fans can follow the race live on FanCode, as Maini aims to add another win to his impressive record.
