The Formula 2 paddock has made its way to Melbourne for the first-ever race weekend of the 2025 season. Melbourne will host a season opener for Formula 2 for the first time ever, although this will be the third time in a row that Albert Park will host Formula 2.

Read more: Kush Maini joins Alpine F1 Team as Test and Reserve Driver.

Third year in Formula 2 for Kush Maini

Kush Maini is entering his third year in Formula 2, with a third different team as well. His first year in Formula 2 was with Campos Racing, where he finished the season in 11th position with 62 points and a podium. In 2024, Kush switched to Invicta Racing, it was also the year where he started his first full season as an Alpine Academy Driver.

He had a strong start to the year, competing at the front in every session before losing momentum after a few races. It all started in Imola where he just didn’t seem to have enough pace, back to back race weekends took him to Monaco with not enough time for the team to understand what went wrong. It was only later that it was figured out that Kush was driving with a cracked chassis. Kush finished the season in 13th position, with 74 points, 5 podiums, a pole and a win.

For 2025, Kush has made a switch to DAMS Lucas Oil, leaving his previous team, which won the team championship in 2024, and his teammate, who won the driver title, moving up to Formula 1. DAMS finished 6th in the team standings last year, with a combined 7 podiums and a win between both their cars.

Rediscovering his confidence with DAMS

In DAMS, Kush is joining an experienced team where he already feels right at home. DAMS have experience of winning championships before, winning the team’s championship in 2019. DAMS have also sent drivers to Formula 1, as Alex Albon and Nicholas Latifi competed with DAMS in their final F2 seasons before making their debut in Formula 1.

“2024 was a year of many ups and downs,” Maini admits. “We had some really good moments, like the Pole and win, lots of podiums but at the end of the day, it didn’t quite click.

“For whatever reason, the second half of the season – not scoring a point, that was a bit confusing for me. I took the decision to move to DAMS, I have a good relationship with Yannick even from previous years.

“That positive feeling is massive. Just having that confidence again and that belief that it can happen, which I feel like I lost a bit midway through 2024. The whole team, my engineer, everyone, we get along really well, and it feels like a very strong team.

“That’s my goal here – to get fully incorporated in the team, spend a lot of time with them to try and understand everything.

“ I might move to a place closer to DAMS, so I can fully give it my all this year. But I’m really excited to be working with them and this new chapter in my career.”

Maini started work with his new team at post-season testing at the Yas Marina Circuit back in December.

He recalls both parties being very honest with each other, wasting as little time as possible in getting up to speed with how the other works, which has helped his adaptation to the team.

“Testing was very strong. When you join a new team, you want to understand how they work but I feel we were all very blunt with each other, which is the best way to operate in this sport.

“If they wanted something better from me, or if I wanted something better from them, we just said it, and there was no hiding.

“I think that really made our relationship strong and it definitely helped during the tests. I found that confidence again as a driver, which I had lost. That’s very important for me so I feel like we’re on the comeback trail, and there’s some great things in store for us in 2025.”

Learnings from 2024

Kush is very honest about his results from 2024, he admits that last year’s downturn in form was difficult to swallow, but that he’s eager to prove it was a blip and not an irreversible slide.

But Maini says it was an important learning experience he’ll be putting to use this season, as he gets another chance he readily admits many might not have been able to.

“I think after the first three rounds last year, fighting for Pole at each round, I got a bit overconfident and just thought that everything would come easy.

“There were some things during the season that were confusing for me, but it’s just one of those things you have to move on from.

“But I’m grateful that I get another chance to show what I can do. Because I really feel like 2024 wasn’t a proper showing of myself. Many people don’t get another chance so I’m just really grateful for everyone involved that I’ve got one.

“I think 2024 threw everything at me. It gave me highs and very big lows, so I don’t think 2025 could take me by surprise. In that sense, mentally, I feel much stronger, and I feel ready for any obstacle.”

While Maini has prided himself on his one-lap speed since joining Formula 2, DAMS have been most impressive on a Sunday, able to coax the best out of the tyres on many occasions, securing victories and podiums from seemingly difficult grid positions.

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It’s one of the biggest appealing factors for Maini in his joining the team, eager to combine his Qualifying prowess with the team’s ability to maximise their package on race days. It might even be the missing ingredient according to the Indian driver, who hopes to take a step forward in race pace consistency in 2025.

“Even in my rookie year, I was on the front row many times. Last year I was in the first three rounds and for this year, I don’t think that will change. Every team is different, but I feel that DAMS have a more even package.

“It was a big choice, but I feel that’s why DAMS are picking me. I need their help with race pace, and they need my help with Qualifying. Together, I feel we can give each other what we need to build a really strong foundation.

“I feel I have a lot left to show – this year is a good chance for me to work with this team and try to challenge for the title.”

“I have Jak next to me, who’s a very quick driver and a race winner as well, and that’s just going to help our chances further. Together, I think we have a really strong team for 2025.”

Overall, Maini is honest about his previous year in the Championship, but it has only fuelled his motivation for this one.

In a new team, he has a fresh start and is optimistic that he’s in the right environment to not only get the best out of himself but to also help the French outfit find their best form.

After 13 long years, F1 finally has an Indian Driver involved in a role with a team. This makes Kush only the third Indian driver to have an active role with an F1 team, after Karun Chandhok and Narain Karthikeyan.

🇮🇳 | Indian drivers in Formula 1!
After 13 years, India finally has a presence in Formula 1 again!

Kush Maini joins Alpine F1 Team as a Reserve Driver, becoming only the third Indian to be part of an F1 team after Narain Karthikeyan & Karun Chandhok. 💪🏻🇮🇳#F1 pic.twitter.com/TMuQJ3ypWr

— Desi Racing Co (@DesiRacingco) March 12, 2025

Kush Maini’s Role for 2025

Kush Maini joined the Alpine Academy driver in October 2023 ahead of the 2024 season and has since competed in the FIA Formula 2 Championship, scoring five podiums including a victory in Hungary. 

As Test and Reserve Driver, Kush’s duties will involve offering valuable support to the team’s car development and set-up objectives using the driver-in-loop simulator at Enstone, as well as participating in its TPC Programme aimed at improving skills at the wheel of a contemporary, modern Formula One car.

Kush will continue racing in Formula 2 for 2025, driving for DAMS with the season beginning on the Formula One support bill in Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix this weekend.

“I am delighted to step up to the role of Test and Reserve Driver for BWT Alpine Formula One Team this season. Since joining the Alpine Academy ahead of last year, I have been incredibly welcomed in the entire Alpine family and I am thankful to Flavio and Oliver for their continued support. I am looking forward to getting more track time in Formula One machinery in this role and to build on what I have already learned with the team in 2024. I’m very excited to begin the role as soon as possible but for now my focus is on my third season in Formula 2 kicking off this weekend in Australia.” said Kush Maini.

This makes Kush the 4th Reserve Driver Alpine has announced this year, apart from Franco Colapinto, Paul Aron and Ryo Hirakawa.

“We are very happy to announce the expansion of Kush’s role in the Alpine Academy to include Test and Reserve Driver duties for the team this season. Kush has impressed the team across his TPC performances and Formula 2 results,” – Julian Rouse, Alpine Academy Director

Realistically speaking, chances of Kush making a debut in F1 this year seem unlikely, as Alpine would prefer to give the chance to more experienced Franco Colapinto should an opportunity arise to use a reserve driver. But this should not take away any excitement this announcement brings, as this shows that Kush is on the right path in his career and the team is taking notice.

Kush Maini will enter his third Formula 2 campaign this year, and with a third different team as well. Kush has mentioned before how his second year in F2 didn’t go as planned and rightly so as he lost momentum because of things not in his control after having a brilliant start to the season. It will be important for Kush to have a strong third season, being one of the most experienced drivers on the F2 grid, the expectations are going to be very high for the 24-year-old Bengaluru boy.

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Rehan Khan, an 11-year-old karting sensation from Chennai, has been selected for the prestigious Champion of the Future Academy Program.

2025 will mark the second full season of the international series. The Champions of the Future Academy Program spans six weekends. Introductory two days will be set for round 1 for the drivers to get acquainted with the material and officials and six double header race weekends, four of which being in Europe and two outside of the European Union. The aim of the Academy program is to increase the inclusion into professional kart racing through the arrive and drive concept. Promoted and hosted by RGMMC, the events will take place on high level circuits all around the world.

As a student at Don Bosco Egmore school, Rehan has already made an indelible mark in Indian motorsports, becoming the only driver to hold the fastest lap time record at every FMSCI-approved track in his class across India.

Rehan’s exceptional talent has now earned him a place in the globally recognized Champion of the Future Academy Program, where he will join 36 other karting prodigies from around the world. This opportunity will allow him to further develop his skills and compete in Europe.

With an impressive track record in India, Rehan has shattered records and demonstrated unwavering consistency in his performances.

The Champion of the Future Academy Program offers young drivers the training and exposure needed to compete at the highest level of motorsport.

CHAMPION OF THE FUTURE ACADEMY – CALENDAR 2025

“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all my sponsors for believing in me and supporting my journey. Your trust and encouragement have played a vital role in helping me achieve my dreams, and I promise to continue striving for success both on and off the track,” Rehan said.

As he embarks on this exciting new chapter of his career, Rehan is determined to build on his success in India and continue to raise the bar as he prepares to compete on the European circuit.