F2 Maini: ‘I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I was quick’

Rookie Kush Maini knows he’s fast, something he proved today in Formula 2 qualifying at Silverstone.

Maini has been competing in single-seater championships since 2016, but took a year off in 2021 when he couldn’t find a full-time ride.

Then, in 2022, he joined MP Motorsport in Formula 3, finishing 14th overall with one podium in his rookie year.

Instead of opting for another season in Formula 3, the Indian driver secured a contract with Campos and made the step up to Formula 2. In his first weekend in the category, he secured a fourth-place finish in the Feature Race, proving his ability to be quick from the start.

Maini scored his first Formula 2 podium at the third round of the championship in Australia. Now he’ll be hunting for his first win on Sunday at Silverstone, after qualifying second behind Victor Martins on Friday.

Finding pace

Speaking to FormulaNerds in the press conference after Qualifying, Maini commented on his performance since taking a year off from racing in 2021.

“Honestly, I think as a racing driver you should be able to get into anything and be quick,” he said. “I think I was quick last year [in F3], I don’t see a reason I wasn’t quick, it was just the silliest mistakes on the sporting side and sometimes silly accidents.

“After a year out of racing, when I came back into the car in Bahrain it was a shock, almost. So yes, I would say having that continuity of racing in the same paddock with a great team around me to help me and a teammate, and I think I always knew I had the pace.

“Like I keep saying, I wouldn’t be here wasting my time if I didn’t think I was quick. So I’m just happy it’s sort of coming together.”

Maini will start second on Sunday’s race, but he already has his eyes on the win.

“We had a good start to the season but I think our main focus should be the race trim because I feel in Qualifying, we have a car to compete for pole so this weekend is the perfect start. We’re on the front row so it’s the perfect place to put our stuff together and hopefully go for the win.”

Feature Image Credit: Joe Portlock – Getty Images