Kush Maini Joins Alpine as Reserve Driver for 2025 Formula 1 Season

Indian racing sensation Kush Maini is stepping into the big leagues! Alpine F1 has now formally signed him up as a reserve and test driver for 2025, in a moment of history for Indian motorsport. With this milestone, Maini is the third Indian to be part of a Formula 1 team after Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok.

A Huge Leap in His Racing Journey

Maini’s rise through the ranks has been nothing short of impressive. Having joined Alpine Academy in October 2023, he completed his second season of Formula 2 driving with Invicta in 2024 to register his first victory on the circuit since British F3 times of 2020. The Indian racer ended the championship standings in 13th position and will now be competing for DAMS Lucas Oil during the 2025 Formula 2 season.

Now, as part of Alpine’s F1 setup, Maini will contribute through intensive simulator work and crucial track testing under the Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) program. This hands-on exposure to F1 machinery will be vital in sharpening his skills for a potential future seat on the grid.

"I am excited to gain more time on track in Formula 1 machinery in this position and to further develop what I have gained so far with the team in 2024. I'm extremely eager to start the role as soon as possible but currently, my concentration is on my third season of Formula 2 commencing this weekend in Australia," Maini said with a huge grin on his face. 

Alpine's Stacked Reserve Lineup

Alpine is building an impressive talent pool with its latest lineup of test and reserve drivers. Alongside Maini, the team has secured Ryo Hirakawa, a Toyota Hypercar racer, and Franco Colapinto, a highly-rated prospect who is rumored to be knocking on Jack Doohan’s door for an F1 seat. Meanwhile, ex-Mercedes junior Paul Aron has been brought on purely as a reserve driver.

Julian Rose, director of Alpine Academy, welcomed Maini's potential by stating, "The team is impressed with Kush for his TPC performances and with the results of Formula 2 while we have been representing him, and we believe he will do so again in 2025. His big role has enabled us to continue increasing our stable of driving talent who can support and resource the entire team at the busy season."

Balancing a Packed Season

With multiple reserve drivers on board, Alpine has devised a structured plan to manage their responsibilities. Team principal Oliver Oakes humorously quipped: “They're all going to share a room. No, I'm joking!” before adding, “They've got a pretty busy year. All three of them are doing TPC testing, all three are doing a bit of operations support, and they're all attending a race.”

When asked how the team will divide testing time among the reserve drivers, Oakes acknowledged the challenge: “I don’t know off my head. I think there's a little bit of a split because obviously Franco has done a load of grands prix, Paul Aron hasn't done anything, and Ryo's done probably a bit of everything, so there is a bit of a balance there.”

A Proud Moment for Indian Motorsport

Kush Maini’s inclusion in Alpine’s F1 setup is a moment of pride for Indian motorsport fans. He is the first Indian to be involved in Formula 1 since 2012, and his dual responsibilities in Formula 2 and as an F1 reserve driver position him as a serious contender for a future full-time seat.

As the 2025 season unfolds, all eyes will be on Maini as he balances his Alpine F1 commitments with his DAMS Lucas Oil F2 campaign. Could this be the beginning of India’s next Formula 1 star? Time will tell, but one thing’s for sure—Kush Maini is on the fast track to greatness!

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