Kush Maini, the pilot of theAlpine Academy which surprises at the start of the season

At the start of the season, the followers of the Formula 2 expected to find one name, more than another, at the top of the rankings: that of Victor Martins. Fifth and best rookie last season, the Frenchman was logically expected in Bahrain as the No. 1 favorite. However, everything did not go as planned. Lacking pace in the race and victim of two abandonments, following an electronic failure and an accident, nothing is going well for the champion of F3 2022.

A podium in four races for Kush Maini

In his shadow, another pilot wearing blue and pink emerged from the rays of twilight lights of Bahrain: Kush Maini. To tell the truth, he was clearly not the most anticipated in a grid that notably saw the arrival of a Andrea Kimi Antonelli focusing media attention.

However, it was he who made the brand shine Alpine. Firstly thanks to a pole position in Sakhir, which the commissioners then removed due to a technical infraction on his car. Then, via his podium in Jeddah, the first in a promotional formula for Alpine this year, if we forget that of Abbi Pulling in F1 Academy

P2 in the @ Formula2 Feature race today in Jeddah. Happy with that, massive thank you to @InvictaRacing for the great car! pic.twitter.com/NtJrjimlgv

— Kush Maini (@kmainiofficial) March 9, 2024

A good race pace with Invicta Racing

Results after two Grand Prix: an “almost pole” and seven points in Bahrain; a pole position inherited after the retirement of Ollie Bearman, an eighth place in the sprint and a solid second place in the main race in Jeddah. Thus, with 27 points, the one whose best career result is second place in British Formula 3 in 2020, is in 5th place in the standings, very far ahead of Victor Martins. The Frenchman did not score a single point, between the lack of rhythm of his ART and his bad luck.

“I’m really happy with the podium. The Sprint race was a bit difficult, but we put our heads together and tuned the car for the main race and it seemed to be going in the right direction, which I'm really happy with. We seem really competitive and I'm happy to come away with a good number of points, rejoices the pilot Invicta Racing. In qualifying, we were first and second throughout the first weekends, so it's very strong. The race pace has improved, so we are getting stronger and stronger as we get to know the new car. »

Kush Maini, a performance to put into perspective

However, its good results must be put into perspective. Like every year, the repeaters benefit from their experience in F2 to keep the rookies at bay, even if the arrival of the new single-seaters has, in part, erased this effect. Not being considered the most talented, it is also possible that promising newcomers, such as Andrea Kimi Antonelli or Zak O'Sullivan, will pass him by as they gain experience.

Last year, after a podium at the end of the third Grand Prix and a decent start to the year, the 23-year-old Indian then gradually faded away. In his second half, he only scored 13 of his 62 points. This could very well happen again.

The expected rebound of Victor Martins

If he is performing so well at the start of the season, it is also thanks to his Invicta Racing team. The latter seems to have found the right recipe to make the Dallara F2 2024 work, unlike ART or Prema, who usually monopolize the first lines. If these teams were to move up in the hierarchy, this could naturally bring down Invicta and Maini, as well as other drivers.

On the other hand, a start from Victor Martins, the only other pilot in theAlpine Academy, should happen sooner or later. Starving for a place in F1, it is very likely that the 22-year-old from Ile-de-France will return to the game by mid-season.

Despite all these points, it is also entirely possible to see Kush Maini maintain, or even increase, her current pace to remain in the regular fight for podiums. Only he, behind the wheel, will be the decision-maker. “I have high hopes for Melbourne, the team and I are very positive and hope to get on the podium again,” affirms the principal concerned with confidence.

So what will Kush Maini do in his second F2 season, will he win a race? Will he finish in the top 10 in the rankings? Will he be beaten by Victor Martins? Response in a few months.

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Kelman Marti