Kush Maini made history on Saturday by becoming the first Indian driver to win a Formula 2 race, securing a dominant victory in the Sprint Race at the Monaco Grand Prix. Driving for DAMS Lucas Oil, Maini led all 30 laps from pole position, delivering a faultless performance on one of the most challenging street circuits in motorsport.
The 24-year-old Bengaluru-born started on pole under the reverse-grid format, having qualified tenth for the Feature Race. Taking full advantage of the front-row start, Kush Maini pulled away cleanly at lights out and maintained a consistent lead throughout the race, withstanding pressure while navigating Monaco’s narrow and unforgiving layout with precision.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Indian motorsport. Kush Maini is the first Indian driver to stand atop the podium in the FIA Formula 2 Championship, a feat that drew widespread attention across the global motorsport community. His performance was described as dominant, with no position losses over the course of the race. The result is also a major breakthrough in what has otherwise been a challenging 2025 season for the driver.
Maini is currently serving as a reserve driver for the BWT Alpine Formula 1 team. He is supported by JK Racing and TVS Racing, two longstanding contributors to his career development. Indian business magnate Gautam Singhania, a key backer also present at the circuit, extended his congratulations to Maini in the pit lane following the race.
Maini’s racing career began in karting before stepping into single-seaters in 2016. Over the following years, he steadily climbed the ranks of international junior series.
In 2018, he finished third overall in British F3 with multiple podiums and a race win. The following season, he moved to the Formula Renault Eurocup, securing a podium on debut and ending the year as one of the top rookies. After a strong return to British F3 in 2020, where he finished runner-up in the championship, Maini gained further experience in the F3 Asian Championship and made a one-off appearance in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s 6 Hours of Bahrain in 2021.
He graduated to FIA Formula 3 in 2022, before making his full-time Formula 2 debut with Campos Racing in 2023. After a solid rookie F2 season, he switched to Invicta Racing in 2024 and currently races for DAMS Lucas Oil in 2025.
Saturday’s win provides a critical boost to Kush Maini’s campaign as he prepares for the Feature Race, where he will start from tenth on the grid. The next round of the FIA Formula 2 Championship is scheduled to take place in Barcelona. For now, Maini’s triumph at Monaco stands as a landmark moment in Indian motorsport history.
Maini’s historic F2 win at Monaco is one for the history books! But what’s next for Indian motorsport? Share your take with us on X @itsallsporttome.
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