Kush Maini has had a mixed start to his third season in Formula 2. The Indian driver switched teams to DAMS Lucas Oil following stints with Campos and Invicta Racing. The Alpine Academy driver currently sits P11 in the Drivers’ Championship on 21 points.
It has been a season of mixed fortunes for DAMS Lucas Oil, and Maini. Whilst the pair have delivered stand-out moments such as his dominant Sprint Race win in Monaco, they are yet to consistently challenge the front-runners in F2.
Round 1: Australian GP
Maini’s 2025 campaign began in Melbourne, where he qualified P13. The Sprint Race offered little opportunity for progress, with Maini finishing in P16. Unfortunately, Maini was unable to have a better Feature Race, as heavy rain forced the cancellation of Sunday’s main race.
Round 2: Bahrain GP
Formula 2 had a few weeks off until the championship resumed in Bahrain, which included in-season testing, in which DAMS showed potential for the remainder of the season. However, when the racing resumed, it was a difficult weekend for Maini as he struggled to find pace. Qualifying P20, the Indian driver had a lot of ground to make up in the two races over the weekend.
Unfortunately, he was only able to manage P16 in the Sprint Race and P18 in the Feature Race. Whilst improving on his qualifying positions, his results left him out of the points.
Round 3: Saudi Arabian GP
Maini showed improvement in Jeddah, Qualifying P12 around one of the trickiest circuits on the calendar. In the Sprint Race, the Alpine academy driver managed to finish P10, despite a long DRS train which limited overtaking opportunities. Maini just fell short of his first points finish in 2025.
Sunday brought better fortune for the Indian, who was able to make his way into P10. Securing a much-anticipated points finish. Demonstrating that although he struggled for pace during qualifying, Maini was able to capitalise during the races and overtake his way into the points. Thus, showing improvement.
Round 4: Imola GP
Qualifying at Imola ended in disappointment for Maini as he crashed and brought out the red flag with six minutes remaining. He ultimately started both races over the weekend, P13. In the Sprint Race, he made little progress, finishing where he started. The Feature Race proved difficult; caught in the midfield shuffle, Maini finished a distant P21 in a race that saw significant action throughout the field.
Round 5: Monaco GP
The highlight of Maini’s season so far came during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend. Qualifying in P10, Maini was on reverse grid pole for the Sprint Race on Saturday, and in a prime position to secure his first win of 2025. The Alpine Academy driver led from lights out to the chequered flag, securing a dominant victory for himself and DAMS.
The Feature Race on Sunday was typical Formula 2 chaos. Maini, who started 10th, got up to P6, where he would finish the race. Capitalising on the misfortunes of others, Maini secured his biggest points haul of the season, marking a potential turning point in his 2025 campaign.
Round 6: Barcelona GP
Monaco’s good momentum continued to the final round of the triple header, as the DAMS driver qualified in his highest position of the year, P3. However, his Sprint Race was derailed by a poor start, dropping him outside the points to finish P16. A long way from his starting position of P8, Maini encountered a similar issue during the Feature Race. Dropping from third to thirteenth within the opening few laps. However, he was able to secure an excellent recovery drive, climbing back to P7, emphasising that the pace and talent is there for Maini, it is simply a matter of small mistakes.
Looking ahead
With eight rounds remaining in the 2025 F2 season, Kush Maini sits just outside the top ten in the championship on 21 points. His performance in Monaco proved his ability to control races under pressure. His recovery drives, like the one in Spain, show that he can fight through adversity.
Street circuits appear to suit Maini, and with Baku still to come, it remains a big opportunity for Maini to secure a major points haul.
If Kush Maini can achieve more consistent top 10 qualifying performances and avoid staying out of the F2 chaos, a high finish in the F2 championship is within his reach. In a grid filled with rookies, Maini will need to utilise his experience and racecraft to outperform his rivals for a strong end of season.
