The sprint race of the Formula 2 Australian Grand Prix was a moment of celebration for Indian fans as Campos Racing driver Kush Maini bagged his first podiu m. The 22-year-old secured third place at Albert Park fending away Arthur Leclerc. Maini had a massive improvement from the last GP where he had a 12th-place finish in the feature race.
With an eighth place in qualifying, Maini started in third place in the reverse grid. The race saw a delayed start with Enzo Fittipaldi and Ralph Boschung spinning out in the reconnaissance lap. Maini also had a spin but recovered to hold his position.
As the race continued he had to battle Arthur Leclerc for third place. The Monégasque went past Maini at Turn 10 on Lap 7, but the Indian regained the place in the next corner. The dying moments of the race saw a Safety Car which created a two-lap sprint for the finish, and Maini held his place and finished third.
It is to be noted, Maini was born in Bengaluru in 2000 and started his single-seater career in 2016, competing for BVM Racing in the Italian F4 Championship. Since then, He has competed in Formula 4, the Formula Renault Eurocup, the FIA World Endurance Championship, and the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship.
He also has a younger brother, Arjun Maini, who is also a racing driver and has competed in GP3 . In 2022. Kush was driving in Formula 3 alongside Caio Collet and Alexander Smolyar at MP Motorsport. With one podium in Hungary, Maini ended up 14th in the drivers' standings.
Kush Maini’s racing career so far:
2022 - FIA Formula 3 Championship - 14th
2021 -
F3 Asian Championship Certified by FIA - 11th
FIA Endurance Trophy, LMP2 Drivers - 30th
FIA Endurance Trophy, LMP2 Pro/Am Drivers - 18th
2020 - BRDC British Formula 3 Championship - 2nd
2019 - Formula Renault Eurocup - 6th
2018 - BRDC British F3 Championship - 3rd
2017 - Italian F4 Championship Powered by Abarth - 8th
Formula 4 ADAC
2016 -Italian F4 Championship Powered by Abarth - 16th
2011-15 - Karting
