Kush Maini Pips Jehan Daruvala To Formula 1 — Third Indian To Make It To Pinnacle Of Motor Racing

Kush Maini has become the third Indian to reach the pinnacle of motor racing by securing a spot as the test and reserve driver for the BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team for the 2025 season.

With this achievement, Maini joins the ranks of the only two other Indian racers to have reached Formula 1 — Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok.

Maini has edged out another Indian who has been vying for a seat in Formula 1 — Jehan Daruvala. Both Maini and Daruvala have been steadily rising through the ranks of single-seater racing, competing in Formula 2 during the 2024 season.

Maini first joined the Alpine Academy in October 2023 before competing in the 2024 F2 season, where he secured five podiums, including a race win in Budapest.

As part of his new role, the 24-year-old will contribute to car development and setup objectives by using the driver-in-loop simulator at Alpine’s Enstone base. Additionally, he will participate in the TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) programme to further refine his skills.

The 2025 Formula 1 season will start this weekend, March 14–16, with the first of the 24 races scheduled in Australia.