Kush Maini, an Indian, enrolled in the Alpine Formula 1 team’s young driver development programme on Tuesday.
Prior to Kush, another Indian, Jehan Daruvala, was enrolled in the driver training of a Formula 1 team, Red Bull Racing. However, despite spending three mixed Formula 2 seasons with the team, Daruvala was unable to advance to the top level. The driver from Bengaluru achieved his maiden Formula 2 podium by finishing third in the Australian Sprint Race and earning his highest Qualifying position of second at Silverstone.
After achieving 11 point scoring finishes during the season, he is presently positioned just outside of the top 10 in the championship rankings. Despite working as a development driver for the Haas Formula 1 team, Kush’s brother Arjun was unable to achieve the highest level of four-wheel racing success.
Kush will join an expanding Alpine Academy roster that already includes drivers like 2022 FIA Formula 3 Champion Victor Martins and Alpine F1 Team Reserve Driver Jack Doohan. The academy has produced a number of successful graduates, including current Formula 1 drivers Zhou Guanyu and Oscar Piastri as well as Olli Caldwell, who drives for the Alpine Elf Endurance Team.