Kush Maini claimed his first Formula 2 (F2) victory of the 2026 season after controlling the Barcelona Sprint Race from the opening corner.
The ART Grand Prix driver started second alongside reverse-grid polesitter Noel León, but launched into the lead before Turn 1. He quickly established a gap and remained in control despite tyre degradation bringing Nikola Tsolov closer during the middle phase of the race.
Tsolov later lost second to Gabriele Minì, while Colton Herta briefly moved into the final podium position before sliding into the gravel at Turn 5 on the last lap. Maini crossed the line ahead of Minì and Tsolov to deliver ART Grand Prix’s first win and podium of the season.
Speaking in the post-Sprint Race press conference attended by Pit Debrief and select media, Maini said the result rewarded the work ART had put in throughout the opening rounds.
“Yeah, obviously, I’m very happy. I think that was the plan. We’ve had good starts all year, and I really think the team deserved this one.”
“We’ve been quick all year, really. Monaco was a bit unfortunate, and we made up for it in the races a bit, but they really deserved this, and they’ve been putting in a lot of work.”
“I mean, the team and I have had a few tough seasons, and I’m glad this race is really going to boost our confidence to keep pushing. The pace was great.”
“Normally, ART, if anything, struggled with race pace, but I think we proved today that the car was great all race. I’m really excited to see what we can do this year.”
Maini trusted his tyre management
Maini built a gap of almost five seconds during the opening phase of the F2 Sprint Race in Barcelona, but Tsolov began to close as the leader’s tyres started to lose performance.
Rather than respond by pushing harder and risking further degradation, Maini trusted that those behind would eventually encounter the same difficulties.
“Honestly, I wanted to break the DRS for sure, but I also wanted to just drive my own race. I know from testing here that we had really good pace, and I wanted to just redo that.”
“I think Nikola was quite quick in the middle, and then he hit a bit of degradation at the front. Even I started struggling there. I think I struggled a few laps before him, and then he struggled as well.”
“Honestly, in a race, nothing is ever guaranteed, especially in F2, so it’s always in the back of your mind. But when I was struggling, I knew that they would struggle as well at some point. It wasn’t going to be just me.”
“So, in that sense, it was a very good race.”
Maini’s judgement proved correct. Tsolov closed the gap but could not reach the ART driver before his own pace faded, allowing Maini to restore his advantage and complete a lights-to-flag victory.
Victory carried added meaning for ART
Maini’s emotional radio message after the chequered flag reflected how much the victory meant to both driver and team.
The Indian driver joined ART after enduring several difficult seasons, while the French outfit had also struggled to convert its potential into consistent results. Maini said that shared experience created a strong sense of purpose heading into the campaign.
“Yeah, like I mentioned, coming into this season, ART had also struggled, and so had I for the last two or three seasons.”
“Going into it, we were very hungry. Obviously, putting it on pole in Miami and Monaco would have been very, very strong, and it was in the end. But overall, our pace hasn’t really got the results it deserved.”
“To finally give them this win, I feel like it was more theirs than even mine. I think believing in me, and even Seb knowing that I can be very quick, meant we could put it all together.
“To get this first win of the year with them here was definitely an emotional rollercoaster. But I’m sure there will be more to come.”
“I’m just very happy for them, to be honest.”
Maini finds enjoyment again at ART
Maini also credited the atmosphere within ART for rebuilding his confidence and enjoyment behind the wheel.
He said both sides entered the partnership believing they had more potential than their recent results showed. Their relationship with the engineers and mechanics allowed them to work towards solving that problem together.
“Yeah, sure. Obviously, like I mentioned before, ART and I were sort of in a similar position. I think we both knew that we could do it, but it hadn’t really clicked in the last few years.
“Going into this, we really put a lot of effort in, on and off the track. Like I said, I think I have a very, very good relationship with all the engineers and my mechanics.
“It’s a shame to say, but I think it’s been a very long time since I’ve enjoyed Formula 2. Probably 2023 was the last time I did.”
“I think that shows what a big difference it makes to actually enjoy what you’re doing and fall in love with the sport that I’ve loved for so long again. I think that’s the main thing I’m going to take from this year so far.”
Maini targets another recovery in the Feature Race
Maini faced a more difficult starting position for Sunday’s Feature Race after a red flag prevented him from completing his second qualifying lap.
However, Barcelona had already shown that drivers could make progress with either strategy when they had enough pace. Maini therefore remained confident that ART could still secure another strong result.
“Yeah, obviously, qualifying wasn’t ideal, getting the red flag and not being able to do the second lap. But I think, at this track, as you’ve seen, if you have good pace, both strategies work.”
“With good pace, I think you can salvage a very good result. We’re definitely confident and looking forward to it.”
