DAMS’ Kush Maini is starting in the second row for the F2 Spanish GP Feature Race on Sunday. Maini qualified P3 with a timing of 1:25.510, only 0.339s behind pole position held by Arvid Lindblad. This would be Maini’s best qualifying position of the F2 2025 season after weekends of tough qualifying sessions.
Reflecting on his P3 results
P3 would be the highest the Indian driver would place in qualifying this season in his new team DAMS Lucas Oil. Speaking to the media, including Pit Debrief, Maini reflected on the tough start to the season as he learnt to adapt to the new team and new car. He spoke on feeling more comfortable in the DAMS car at the start of the triple header and how it has only brought him better results each weekend. However, he says this is just the start.
“ I’m definitely pleased. It’s been a tough start to the season. I would say quality was normally my strongest points in the last two seasons and switching teams it’s been more difficult to get up to speed. But the last two rounds I felt strong, made a few mistakes like Imola when I put it in the wall.”
“So yeah, it’s a little bit of stuff just coming together. But I knew we had the pace, and it’s been really nice working with the team. I would say, like I said, in Monaco, I feel like our season’s just started, and it’s going to build on from here. So yeah, I’m feeling good.“
DAMS’ improvement in performance
Maini also spoke on how the team has helped him move forward and improve. Stating that once changes had been made, he was able to start pushing and getting better results.
“For sure. I think, first of all, in the first two races, there was stuff out of our control. I mean, I can’t really say it yet, but it was quite obvious. And once that changed, it made life easier for us, for sure. And now I feel like we’re back to where we should be. So obviously, we’re a bit far back points wise, but results like these are going to help us, put us in a good position for two good races. And I just got to be smart, stay out of trouble and bring home points now.“
Starting on the clean side of the grid
Starting in the second row means Maini will be able to get a clean start to the Spanish GP Feature race on Sunday. On a track where tyre maintenance is already a struggle, he is pleased to be starting with his starting position. He spoke on how the Spanish GP was a longer race and how he plans to maximise his points.
“For sure, I think. But it’s a feature race and it’s a very long way. It’s not in turn one. So in F2, it’s all about strategy and how you maintain the tyres. There’s no point going crazy in the turn one. So I just need to watch, have experience on my side and stay calm and take my chances when they come.“
On Barcelona leaving the calendar
Earlier this year, it was announced that Madrid would be the new host of the Spanish Grand Prix. With a ten-year deal signed from 2026 to 2035. The FIA also announced that the grand prix will now also feature the FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3 championships.
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has been used by Formula 2 and Formula 3 since 2019 for the Spanish GP. The track has become a constant in the Formula 2 and Formula 3 calendar and one of the tracks many drivers have experienced podiums at. Including Maini himself, who admits he is sad to see such a historical track be replaced. He is, however, excited about the new challenges the new IFEMA MADRID Circuit will bring.
“Yeah, I mean, obviously, a lot of history at this track. It’s been around for a while. So yeah, it’s definitely sad to see it leave, but in the end, a new challenge. So looking forward to that. Yeah, not much else to say.“
Tyre struggles
The Spanish GP is notorious for being tough on tyres and managing tyre wear is crucial to succeed especially in the high temperatures. The track’s abrasive surface and long, high-speed corners, especially Turns 3 and 9. Means there’s constant stress on the tyres. When Maini was asked how difficult it was to maintain the tyres and how tyre strategy will play a role during the Spanish GP. He admitted that he did struggle, especially in sector 1 before getting comfortable. Maini also took the time to speak on Lindbald’s purple sectors 1,2 and 3 calling it impressive.
“No, I think for sure it was really hard and tough to manage. I was quite surprised with Avid’s three purples. So that was very impressive. But yeah, I would say I wasn’t quite quick in sector one and then it sort of came together. So it was just managing sort of which one, where do you want to peak really and not fall off too soon. But for the race, obviously, this race is exciting, especially the feature race.“
The importance of tyre strategy
Maini also spoke on how different strategies and tyre degradations will be a huge factor in determining the race. Maini praised his team and spoke on how DAMS seems to have perfected their approach to the Spanish GP in 2024. The Indian driver also spoke on how the data from the previous season puts them in a great position to start.
“A lot can happen with different strategies and with the degradation. But Dams mastered it last year, and we have the data from that starting in a good position. So I have full trust in my team and then their knowledge is priceless for this race weekend. And I’m looking forward to using that knowledge. And with my experience, hopefully we can redo the last year’s results.“
The importance and significance of pre-season testing
This year for the 2025 season, pre-season testing took place in Barcelona for the first time. As mentioned above, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is a familiar track for all drivers , making it an even playing field. This being Maini’s best qualifying result of the season and it being at the Spanish GP, it raises the question if testing was a levelling factor for qualifying.
Maini reveals his thoughts on the matter, saying he feels there isn’t much you can tell from the testing results. Instead, the challenge for F2 would be finding the limits and maximising as much as possible.
“I think it definitely closes the field up for sure. But I think this track in general has always been close. I would say, obviously, when we test here, it’s a very different condition. So there’s not much you can actually take from testing.”
“ And driving wise, I feel at the level we’re at now in F2, three full push laps in a new track is enough to find the limit, to be honest. So I would say it’s, again, just about like it is in F2 to maximise what you have on a given day and how to get the tyres in the right window. And if you do that, and I mean, with all the drivers being so close, if you can maximise that window, you’re going to be quick. So the challenge is the same, really. So yeah, that’s what I would say.“
New teams and new teammates
Maini had spent the majority of his F2 campaign changing teams. Having started his F2 campaign in Campos Racing in 2023 and Invicta Racing in 2024. Maini spoke on adapting to a new team and car. As he learns how to extract the most of his new DAMS car. Especially having struggled before Maini’s best performance at the Spanish GP qualifying.
“Yeah, I would say it’s obviously difficult to change teams after, you know, I’ve changed teams every year. I’ve been in F2 and every team has their different philosophy, a different way. And so learning that has taken a bit of time, I would say.”
“We were very limited in the start of the year with obviously the thing that was out of our control. So but as soon as that was solved, we came back with good speed. And yeah, obviously without the mistake in Imola, we could have fought for sure higher up. And so yeah, I would say I definitely feel comfortable now.“
Maini also spoke on how his new teammate Jak Crawford, who had already spent a season in DAMS helped him settle in.
“Jak’s also been, it’s nice to have two quick drivers in the same team because we can try different stuff, and we can get up to speed quicker. So and he’s been great as well. We get along really well. And then I really enjoy, I don’t know, it’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed my F2 weekends, but I’m really starting to enjoy it. So I think that’s the key really. I really like it with the team. I live in Le Mans now as well. So yeah, just giving it everything really.“
The pressure of grabbing the attentions of F1 teams
It’s been a chaotic and intense triple header. Many F1 teams and team principles are starting to keep a look-out for the F2 drivers with Maini included. Pit Debrief asked Maini how the awareness of these personnel affects his performance during the weekends.
Maini confesses that the pressure has always been present, but he has learnt to cope with it. He spoke on how it has become a form of motivation, saying he even welcomes it in recent years.
“Yeah, I think there’s always pressure. But I think you learn how to deal with it. And pressure in the right way, taken in the right way can actually be something that can help you and help you push further. So yeah, I invite it now, whereas a couple years ago, maybe it was a bit different.“
“I have a point to prove. And I feel the last two years, we’ve shown flashes, but I haven’t really put it together for many reasons. And for my country as well, it’s a big thing.”
“So there is pressure, but I know what I can do in the right team and in the right workspace.And I hope that this year, I can really show my potential. And as long as I finished the year knowing that I showed what I can do, and I drove the best I could, and it showed, I’m happy whether I make it or not.“
