Kush Maini left the 2026 Hungarian GP encouraged by his and ART Grand Prix’s performance despite narrowly missing out on victory in the Formula 2 (F2) Feature Race.
Starting from pole position, Maini controlled the opening stint and built an advantage of approximately six seconds over Noel León. However, a Virtual Safety Car allowed León to make his mandatory pit stop while losing less time, handing the Campos Racing driver the advantage once Maini completed his own stop.
Maini closed the gap during the final laps but could not find a way past León around the Hungaroring. León secured his maiden F2 Feature Race victory, while Maini finished second and Rafael Câmara completed the podium.
During the post-Feature Race press conference attended by Pit Debrief, Maini reflected on the lost victory, ART’s progress and his renewed enjoyment behind the wheel.
Maini proud of ART’s race execution
Although circumstances denied him the victory, Maini felt satisfied with how he and ART executed the F2 Feature Race at the 2026 Hungarian GP. He identified his outlap as the only area that could have gone better but otherwise found little to criticise about their performance.
“Yeah, sure. I think overall I was very happy with everything. I think we did a great first stint and we did a great pit stop, great in lap, just the out lap maybe a bit could have been a bit better, but otherwise I wouldn’t change anything. The team and I did that race and I was very proud of us. Sometimes it doesn’t go your way. Today I feel like we deserved that win, but also Noel has been quite unlucky the last few rounds. So what goes around comes around. I think our luck is coming and our time is also coming. So we’ll just keep pushing forwards.“
ART had the strongest car during the F2 Feature Race at the 2026 Hungarian GP, believes Maini
Maini and Câmara rapidly closed on León towards the end of the race. Maini believed the ART and Invicta Racing drivers possessed the strongest pace, but the closely matched performance between the podium finishers allowed the Virtual Safety Car to influence the result.
“Yeah we were just chatting about it. I think he had some issues with his brakes and stuff, but today I think we had the best car. Me and Rafa[el Câmara] had probably the best pace. But end of the day, you know, like we said, we three were very close on pace all weekend and when you’re so close, a small little bit of luck can change all weekend. And Noel [León] was there, he was in P2 and it fell his way this time. But yeah, that’s all right.“
Maini considers Budapest his strongest F2 performance
Maini had already lost a commanding Feature Race lead in Miami earlier in the season. However, he did not view his second-place finish in Budapest as another major disappointment. The Indian driver instead focused on the performance that allowed him to build a six-second lead and record the fastest lap during the second stint.
“Yeah, I know. I think feature race matters to me as well, probably more than you think. And I think today we did everything. I mean, what can I say? You know, we had a six second lead. We had the fastest lap on the second stint. And yeah, P2. So, in the end, it’s racing. I think I’ve been through my fair share of disappointments. And this isn’t really one, because knowing F2, anything could have happened. I could have finished 11th. So, I’m happy to get the points. And I’m sure that it will come around.“
Maini went further and described the race as the strongest performance of both his season and his F2 career.
“I think today has probably been my strongest performance and the team’s strongest performance this year. And mine, probably, I would say, my strongest performance in Formula 2. The pace we showed was really good. And last year, you know, we’ve gone forwards with the car. And we’ve changed a few things. And it seems to be clicking.“
Maini targets greater consistency with ART
While Maini has demonstrated his speed throughout the season, inconsistent results have limited his ability to convert that pace into Feature Race victories. He acknowledged that he must continue improving his consistency but also highlighted the number of uncontrollable factors that can affect a F2 result. Maini nevertheless believes he has found the right environment at ART.
“Like you said, consistency. I mean, there’s a lot of aspects to it. For sure, I’m striving to be more consistent. But also, in F2, there’s many things out of your control. But in the end, I found a really nice home here in ART. And I think we’re just going to keep building. And hopefully, like you said, give you more feature race wins, which you really like.“
A positive result before the summer break
Maini completed a productive Hungarian GP weekend after taking his second pole position of the season, gaining five positions in the F2 Sprint Race and finishing second with the fastest lap in the Feature Race. Although victory would have completed the weekend, Maini admitted he would have gladly accepted those results before arriving in Budapest.
“No, I think it’s a great way to go to the summer break. Obviously, a win would have been better today. But, you know, pole position. Making up five positions yesterday. Fastest lap today in P2. You know, I would have taken it if you told me that before the weekend.“
The ART driver also emphasised the mental importance of enjoying racing again. As his relationship with the team continues to develop, Maini feels that both sides are moving in the right direction.
“I think we’re in a great trajectory. I think the team and I are just getting stronger and stronger. And we’re really enjoying it, you know. I’m really enjoying racing again after a long time. So, for me, it’s a massive thing mentally as well.“
Maini remains aware of the work ahead, with five rounds still remaining in the season. However, his recent progress has strengthened his belief that ART can continue fighting at the front.
“But yeah, there’s still a long way to go. You know, five rounds. And if we keep improving our form, you know, anything is possible. And we’re going to keep pushing through the end for sure.“
ART’s belief has helped Maini rediscover his enjoyment
Maini attributed his improved results primarily to the support he receives from ART. He does not believe his fundamental speed has changed since his rookie F2 season in 2023 but feels that his current team gives him the tools and confidence he needs.
“The team, yeah. I’m the same driver I was. My Qualifyings in ’23 were probably as good, if not better. My speed has been the same. I’ve just got a team around me that believes in me and gives me what I need. So, yeah, I’m enjoying it again, for sure. So, on that side of things, that definitely helps. But at the end of the day, I feel like I’m the same driver, for sure. I’ve matured a bit in the races and how to bounce back from disappointments. But overall, I’m enjoying it again, which is key. And I have a great team around me who keep pushing me further and keep making me believe in myself.“
Strong pace has not always brought the deserved results
When assessing his season before the summer break, Maini separated the level of performance he and ART have produced from the results they have ultimately achieved. He pointed to the Feature Races in Miami and Budapest, where he led by six seconds before circumstances prevented him from converting either advantage into victory. Maini also accepted responsibility for mistakes such as his error at Spa-Francorchamps.
“Yeah, I think overall, enjoyment-wise, I’ve enjoyed it so much. And working with the team and building them back up as well. Obviously, results-wise, leading the Feature Race in Miami by six seconds, and then here by six seconds, and then both times, some crap happening. Yeah, that’s not nice results-wise, but I think from our side, two pole positions, a win, three podiums, many fastest laps, I think. I think pace-wise, we’ve been there. Obviously, I’ve done a few mistakes. I think Spa was one of the biggest ones. But overall, I’ve been quite happy with our performance. Obviously, results-wise, less happy. But that will come.“
Maini thought better of a “kamikaze move”
The three podium finishers ran increasingly close together during the final laps. Responding to a question from Pit Debrief, Maini explained that he and Câmara held a small tyre advantage over León and could sense that the race leader was struggling with his brakes during the final laps of the F2 Feature Race at the 2026 Hungarian GP.
“Yeah, I think Rafa[el Câmara] and I had a small tyre advantage on Noel [León] . And obviously, he was struggling a bit with the brakes, as he said. So, we could sense that. And for me, I wanted no regrets. So, I was pushing him all the way. And I didn’t want to make it easy. But I knew his last sector was very strong. And I didn’t want to risk a massive dive-bomb and ruin all of our races.“
Maini briefly considered attempting an aggressive move for the victory. However, he decided against risking the result for himself, León and Câmara.
“So, yeah, I think at one point, I was sort of in the gap for a kamikaze move. But, yeah, I think I thought better of it. And, yeah, I think us three finishing very close to each other, I think shows the performance we’ve all three had this weekend. And hopefully, we keep it going.“
Traffic created a scary moment after the pit stop for Maini during the F2 Feature Race at the Hungarian GP
After completing his mandatory stop, Maini had to clear several drivers running the alternative strategy. León had already passed the traffic ahead, while Câmara’s strong outlap placed the Invicta Racing driver close behind Maini.
“Yeah, that was a very scary moment of our race. I think when I came out the pit, I saw Noel, obviously, already cleared the guys. And then I saw like three or four cars. And I was like, oh my God, like, here we go.“
Maini wanted to place a car between himself and Câmara while also trying to reduce León’s advantage, forcing him to attack the drivers ahead quickly.
“And, yeah, I got very close. Because, obviously, I have Rafa behind me as well, who did a great outlap. And I wanted to keep one car between us. And then, at the same time, I wanted to catch Noel. I still thought it was possible.“
The situation led Maini to attempt one particularly ambitious overtake. He narrowly avoided contact but described the battle through traffic as the most enjoyable part of his race.
“Yeah, so I was a bit, yeah, I went for a lunge. And I nearly, nearly, nearly crashed. But it was all right. It was fun. Probably the funnest part of the race. The rest was just following. And, yeah, that’s it.“
Maini views F2’s leading rookies as equals
León and Câmara both reached the podium during their rookie F2 seasons. However, Maini does not believe returning drivers necessarily hold a significant advantage over the leading newcomers.
He explained that drivers arrive in F2 with different levels of experience in F3, while familiarity with the circuits, tyres and cars can reduce the apparent gap.
“No, I think the rookies are always strong every year. I think I was strong in ’23. Obviously, I only did one year of F3. And then you have, like, Niko[la Tsolov], obviously, who’s done three. So, in the paddock with these tyres, with these tracks and cars, actually, when you add it all up, it’s not that big of a difference.“
Maini also pointed to the season he spent away from racing in 2021 and the quality required for any driver to compete near the front of F2.
“And then, obviously, I missed a year of racing in ’21. I was just sitting on my sofa all year, not driving. So, yeah, when you take all those things under consideration. And, you know, we are the quickest single-seater drivers in the world. And Rafa showed that in F3 last year. I think he had the most pulls and whatever.“
Rather than viewing León, Câmara and the other newcomers as inexperienced rookies, Maini treats them as equals who can also help him develop as a driver.
“So, for me, I don’t look at them as rookies. I look at them as equals, even on experience. And I think they’re all great drivers and very quick. And they make me learn a lot about myself as well every race.“
Tyre warm-up remains challenging
As a returning F2 driver, Maini has experienced how the championship’s tyres have changed across recent seasons.
He believes their overall behaviour remains relatively similar once they enter the correct operating window. However, he identified outlap grip and tyre warm-up as significant challenges, particularly on the supersoft compound.
“Yeah, a very interesting question. Yeah, I think it’s been interesting. You know, like you saw, I think in terms of deg, and when the tyre wakes up, it’s been all right. But outlaps have been quite tough, especially with the super soft, like you saw Rafa in Monaco. That was quite strange. And then today, I had no grip on the outlap as well. And Rafa caught me by like two or three seconds. So, in terms of the warm-up and waking them up, it’s been quite different. But in the end, when they finally get in the window, it’s been more or less the same.“
