On May 24, 2025, under the shimmering skies of Monte Carlo, Kush Maini etched his name into the annals of motorsport history.

The 24-year-old Indian racing prodigy became the first driver from his nation to claim victory at the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix, triumphing in the Formula 2 Sprint Race with a display of precision, nerve, and unshakable resolve.

Driving for DAMS Lucas Oil, Maini led all 30 laps from pole position, fending off relentless pressure from fellow Alpine Academy driver Gabriele Minì to secure a victory that reverberated far beyond the narrow streets of the Principality. This was not just a win—it was a cultural milestone, a dream realized, and a beacon of hope for Indian motorsport.

As the Indian national anthem echoed through Monaco, Maini’s journey from a karting enthusiast in Bengaluru to a global racing icon came full circle, inspiring a nation to dare to dream.

The Early Days: A Passion Ignited

Born on September 22, 2000, in Bengaluru, India, Kush Maini grew up in a family steeped in motorsport legacy. His older brother, Arjun Maini, competed in GP3 and Formula 2, while his uncle, Chetan Maini, is a prominent Indian business magnate known for his contributions to electric mobility. Yet, Kush’s path was uniquely his own, forged through a burning passion for speed and an unrelenting drive to succeed. Mentored by two-time Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen, Maini’s talent was evident early on. Häkkinen’s bold vision for Maini—“I want all Indians to know Kush Maini, I want everybody in India cheering him”—set the tone for a career destined for greatness.

Maini’s racing journey began in 2016 with the Italian F4 Championship, where he showcased his potential by scoring points in his first six races. His transition to the Formula Renault Eurocup in 2017 saw him secure a podium in his debut race at Monza, finishing as the second-highest rookie with 102 points. By 2020, Maini was a title contender in the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship, clinching three race wins and finishing second overall. Despite the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced him to take a year-long hiatus from racing in 2021, Maini’s resilience shone through. His return to competition with Mumbai Falcons in the F3 Asian Championship alongside Jehan Daruvala marked the beginning of a meteoric rise.

The Climb to Formula 2: Trials and Triumphs

Maini’s ascent to Formula 2 was anything but easy. Joining Campos Racing in 2023 for his rookie F2 season, he faced the steep learning curve of a highly competitive series. Despite challenges, he proved his mettle with a podium in the Melbourne Sprint Race and consistent points finishes, earning the title of “Mr. Consistent” for completing all 10 races in the first half of the season and leading the rookie standings. His fourth-place finish in the 2023 Monaco Feature Race, recovering from P12 on a track notorious for its difficulty in overtaking, showcased his ability to thrive under pressure.

In 2024, Maini switched to Invicta Racing, partnering with McLaren junior Gabriel Bortoleto. The season was a rollercoaster, with a disqualification in Bahrain due to a technical infringement and a tough start in Jeddah, but Maini’s grit was undeniable. A standout second-place finish in the Saudi Arabian Feature Race, where he inherited pole after Oliver Bearman’s call-up to Formula 1, demonstrated his ability to seize opportunities. His first F2 victory came in the Budapest Sprint Race in 2024, a moment that foreshadowed the historic triumph that awaited in Monaco.

The 2025 season, however, tested Maini’s resolve like never before. Mechanical failures and strategic missteps left him languishing outside the top 10 in the championship standings. Yet, the faith of the Alpine Academy, which he joined in October 2023, never wavered. Named a Test and Reserve Driver for the BWT Alpine F1 Team in 2025, Maini gained access to cutting-edge simulators and the team’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) program, honing his skills alongside seasoned drivers like Paul Aron and Franco Colapinto. This support, coupled with his move to DAMS Lucas Oil for the 2025 F2 season, set the stage for a pivotal moment in his career.

The Monaco Masterclass: A Historic Victory

Monaco, the crown jewel of motorsport, is a circuit that demands perfection. Its narrow streets, unforgiving barriers, and zero-margin-for-error layout have broken the spirits of many. For Kush Maini, it was the ultimate proving ground. Qualifying P10 for the Feature Race on Sunday, May 25, 2025, Maini secured pole position for Saturday’s Sprint Race due to the reverse-grid rule. From the moment the lights went out, he was in a league of his own.

Maini’s start was flawless, surging ahead into Turn 1 and maintaining the lead despite intense pressure from PREMA Racing’s Gabriele Minì, who climbed to P2 after a sluggish start from Hitech’s Luke Browning. The race was a masterclass in composure and precision. Even as Minì closed to within 0.2 seconds with 10 laps to go, Maini remained unflappable, managing tire degradation and navigating Monaco’s treacherous corners with surgical accuracy. A safety car period on Lap 12, triggered by a crash involving AIX Racing’s Joshua Duerksen, bunched the field, but Maini’s restart was impeccable, pulling away to build a 3.7-second lead by the chequered flag.

The podium was a moment of pure emotion. As Maini stood atop the Monaco podium, the Indian tricolor flew high, and the national anthem played—a rare and proud moment for Indian motorsport. “P1, first Indian to win at Monaco. It’s a great honor and a dream come true,” Maini said, his voice thick with emotion. “I want to thank DAMS and everyone who’s supported me. We keep believing.” Indian business magnate Gautam Singhania, whose JK Racing and TVS Racing have backed Maini’s career, was in the pit lane to celebrate the historic win, a testament to the collective effort behind Maini’s success.

A Beacon for Indian Motorsport

Maini’s Monaco victory was more than a personal triumph—it was a watershed moment for Indian athletics. For a nation where cricket often overshadows other sports, Maini’s achievement shone a spotlight on motorsport, inspiring a new generation of racers to dream big. His journey reflects the essence of perseverance: from a challenging 2025 season to a defining victory on one of the world’s most iconic tracks. With Alpine eyeing him as a potential successor to drivers like Esteban Ocon or Pierre Gasly, Maini’s performance in Monaco—a blend of racecraft, tire management, and mental resilience—has cemented his status as a serious contender for a future Formula 1 seat.

As Maini prepares for the Feature Race on Sunday and the upcoming rounds in Barcelona, his Monaco masterclass serves as a reminder of his potential to reshape India’s motorsport landscape. Backed by mentors like Mika Häkkinen, supported by Alpine and Mahindra Racing, and driven by an unyielding belief in himself, Kush Maini is not just racing for victories—he’s racing for a nation’s dreams. On the hallowed streets of Monaco, he didn’t just win a race; he ignited a revolution, proving that with talent, grit, and unwavering determination, the impossible is within reach.