Indian motorsport witnessed a historic moment over the weekend as Kush Maini became the first Indian driver to win a Formula 2 race at Monaco. Driving for DAMS Lucas Oil, Maini delivered a flawless, lights-to-flag performance to secure victory in the Sprint Race on the iconic Monte Carlo street circuit.
The win marked Maini’s maiden F2 triumph of the 2025 season and his first podium finish of the year. Starting from pole position due to the reverse grid rule — having qualified tenth for Sunday’s Feature Race — the BWT Alpine F1 reserve driver made a strong start and maintained his lead through all 30 laps of the challenging race.
Clocking a race time of 44:57.639, Maini crossed the finish line 3.705 seconds ahead of Prema Racing’s Gabriele Mini and 7.299 seconds ahead of Luke Browning of Hitech TGR. The race, known for its tight corners and unforgiving barriers, tested drivers’ skill and concentration throughout, but Maini remained composed under pressure.
As the Indian national anthem played at the podium ceremony, a visibly emotional Maini stood atop the podium, reflecting on the significance of the moment.
“I’m so grateful to the entire team that has been working hard behind the scenes despite a tough start to the year. This is just the beginning of our season… let’s build on this momentum and take on Barcelona 👊 @damsracing,” Maini posted on Instagram.
“A special thank you to all the supporters from India 🙏 I am overwhelmed by the messages and wishes. It is truly an honour to represent our tricolour,” his post read.
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Among those present in the pit lane to celebrate was Indian industrialist Gautam Singhania, a long-time patron of motorsport in India. Maini’s journey has been backed over the years by JK Racing and TVS Racing, both of which continue to support his racing career.
The win comes as a timely boost for the 24-year-old, who had faced a challenging start to the 2025 season. This was Maini’s second Formula 2 victory overall, following his Feature Race win in Jeddah last year.
