New Delhi: Indian motorsport rising star Kush Maini on Sunday became the first Formula2 driver to clinch the F2 Constructors’ World Championship with Invicta Racing at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The season has been a challenging for the 24-year-old, but managed to achieve five podiums, which includes his maiden title at the Hungarian Grand Prix in July this year.
Kush finished 13th on the final standings of the drivers with 74 points. He became the first Indian to win the FIA Constructors’ World Championship. It was his second position at the Saudi Arabia F2 Grand Prix in Jeddah in March this year that set the tone for the team’s campaign. With the timing of 57:05::474s, attained the highest career finish of P2.
In the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi, Mani had qualified in P6. Though he started off well in both races, the Bengaluru-born couldn’t finish it on a high as he struggled with the conditions, dampened by the damaged floor and pit.
Invicta Racing clinced the championship with a total points of 228.5 ahead of Campos Racing (254).
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK! 🏆
Invicta Racing are the 2024 Teams’ Champions!
A season of precision, passion, and power. 💪⚡#InvincibleInSpirit #F2 pic.twitter.com/GcyvYxrSqw
— Invicta Racing (@InvictaRacing) December 8, 2024
Kush Mani’s journey to Formula2 race
Kush Maini comes from a family of racing legacy with father Gautam Maini being a former Formula3 racer and brother Arjun Maini also a contemporary racer. According to Redbull.com, Kush started his own racing journey in 2007 just a seven-year-old, starting with karting.
Kush was inspired by his father’s races when he would go to watch him at the Indian National single-seater championship. He was just racing for fun until he reached the age of 10 when he raced in Malaysia in the Yamaha SL Cup. It was the experience that gave him the confidence to move ahead.
He captured the Indian National Karting Championship in 2011 in the Micro Max category. A year later, he finished runner-up in the Junior Max category. He later moved to Europe and was impressive in the World Karting Series. He finished second overall in the Euro Series and third in the Masters category in 2013.
Kush became the youngest Indian driver to finish fourth at the CIK-FIA World Karting Championship. He went on to win many titles in the following years and attributes mental toughness behind the progress.
In September this year, Kush escaped a tragic accident at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. His car’s engine had stopped abruptly, and as a result, he couldn’t move further. His fellow drivers Oliver Goethe and Josep Maria Marti unnotice the scene, leading to a collision. Though his car’s rear was utterly demolished, Kush came outside unhammered.
The recent championship win will do a world of confidence to the Karnataka sportsperson.
“Not the year I wanted it given how we started, but still a lot of positives to take away including a Constructors Championship. Thank you to Invicta for a good run and wish them all the luck for future. Looking forward to what’s next for me and raring to go next year,” Kush said, as quoted by news agency PTI.
Kush Maini made history, becoming the first Indian to win the Formula 2 Constructors’ World Championship with Invicta Racing at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Despite a challenging season, he secured five podium finishes, including a maiden victory in Hungary. His consistent performance and Invicta Racing’s teamwork led to their championship win, highlighting the rising prominence of Indian motorsport on the global stage. Maini’s journey, marked by a near-miss accident in Azerbaijan, showcases his resilience and determination. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
