Kush Maini Scripts History, Becomes The Third Indian Racer After Narain Karthikeyan And Karun Chandhok To Join F1

India's own Kush Maini has been promoted into the Formula One after the BWT Alpine F1 Team promoted him as the Test and Reserve Driver for the team in the 2025 season. The race car driver from India, who has been a part of the Alpine Academy and raced for them in the F2, gets a boost on pursuing his dream to become an F1 driver and becomes the third Indian to become a part of Formula One.

Kush Maini Races His Way Into Formula One With BWT Alpine F1 Team 

Kush Maini would be having a key role in the F1 team as he would be a part of the testing and the reserve team. He would also compete in Formula 2 with DAMS. The 24-year-old racer would be responsible to support the team's car development and perform the set-up objectives by using their driver-in-loop simulator at the team's base in Enstone. He will also be a part of the team's TPC programme (Testing of Previous Cars), which would help craft his skills, as per F1. 

"Kush Maini. 2025 Test and Reserve Driver. We’re delighted to announce, our Alpine Academy driver extends his role to join our pool of Test and Reserve Drivers for the 2025 season," BWT Alpine Formula One Team announced on their social media platforms.

The 24-year-old Maini has been a part of the Alpine Academy since 2023 and has had five podium finishes in the 2024 F2 Season. It also includes a race win in Budapest. In the F1, he will be a part of the reserve drivers list which includes Franco Colapinto, Ryo Hirakara and Paul Aron

Also Read: 'Don’t Have A Wife And Kids': Lewis Hamilton Sets Sight On Historic 8th World Championship In New F1 Beginning With Ferrari

Kush Maini Expresses Delight After F1 Promotion

It is a historic moment for Kush Maini as he would become the third-only Indian driver to become a part of the Formula One. Only Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok have been a part of the big leagues. Karthikeyan made his debut with Jordan in 2005 and also raced for HRT. On the other hand, Chandhok debuted with HRT in 2010 and has also been a part of Lotus in 2011.

Maini expressed his gratitude to the Alpine Academy for showing faith in him and making him the Test and reserve driver for the F1 side.

“I am delighted to step up to the role of Test and Reserve Driver for BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team this season,” said Maini. Since joining the Alpine Academy ahead of last year, I have been incredibly welcomed in the entire Alpine family and I am thankful to Flavio [Briatore] and Oliver [Oakes] for their continued support.

“I am looking forward to getting more track time in Formula 1 machinery in this role and to build on what I have already learned with the team in 2024. I’m very excited to begin the role as soon as possible but for now my focus is on my third season in Formula 2 kicking off this weekend in Australia,” Kush Maini expressed as quoted by F1.

The Formula One 2025 season officially commences with the traditional Australian GP at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit. The race would happen on Sunday, 16th Match while the build-up takes place over the weekend at that time.

Also Read: FIA Takes Massive Decision Against Monaco Grand Prix! Race To Now Feature Two Pit-Stops Following Dull Racing In The Past