The sports scene in India is getting bigger and more diverse than ever, with fans increasingly supporting teams and athletes beyond specific games. One such adrenaline-filled sport gaining traction in the country is motorsport, where Bengaluru-born racer Kush Maini is making waves.
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Coming from a family deeply rooted in the sport, Maini’s journey has been shaped by competition and close relationships with his brother Arjun Maini, the Alpine Academy and the team at Invicta Racing. Maini is going from strength to strength as he climbs the racing ladder—from karting victories to podium finishes in F2. He sat down with ELLE India to share his journey so far and his ambitions to put India on the motorsport map soon.
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ELLE: How has this F2 season been treating you so far?
Kush Maini (KM): It has been a rollercoaster for me. I’ve had six podiums, a win, and a pole position, but there have also been weekends where I’m fighting for wins and others where I’m quite behind. I’ve started focussing more on the psychological aspect this year, which has made me stronger and helped me understand the sport and the car better.
ELLE: How do you mentally and physically prepare yourself for every race weekend?
KM: Physical training for me is a year-round commitment with a routine that my trainer updates via an app. This typically involves around two hours of workouts daily, focussing on different areas like legs, neck, cardio, and core. Neck training, in particular, is very essential for a driver. And on the psychological side, I’ve been working with Shree Advani, my mind coach, who has been instrumental in my development. At the end of the day, racing can be a lonely sport, and the mental challenges are significant. I would say that having the right people around you is very important; without proper guidance and support, it’s easy to lose your way.
ELLE: How do you feel having achieved all these pole positions and podiums?
KM: India isn’t really known for racing, which makes reaching this level even more challenging and exciting. Achieving that first pole position felt amazing, and winning my first race was another significant milestone. Standing on the podiums all these times, seeing the Indian flag behind me fills me with pride. It’s rewarding to know that we’re making strides in racing, slowly elevating the sport to the same prominence as cricket in India.
ELLE: How do you deal with the pressure?
KM: Knowing that I’m currently the only Indian at this level in motorsport makes me carry that pressure into every race. However, I believe that with each season, I’m growing and getting closer to my goals. Even when it feels like I’m moving further away from those aspirations, I understand that every challenging scenario teaches valuable lessons. I prefer to reach F1 when I’m fully prepared and have gained all the necessary experience.
ELLE: How was your experience driving the F1 car?
KM: Experiencing F1 cars has been a dream come true for me. That car is like a beast. The engineering of an F1 car is incredible; it responds perfectly to your commands. Transitioning from F2 to F1 is a significant leap—everything is better and faster. Coming to all the F1 tests so far has been great. I’ve built a solid rapport with the engineers at Alpine, who are pleased with my performance.
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ELLE: Do you think India will be back on the calendar?
KM: I’m committed to doing my best because we all want to see an Indian driver on the grid. I believe that once I enter Formula 1, it will reignite interest in motorsport in our country. India is a sleeping giant, and if awakened, it could have a massive impact on the sport. I aim to play a role in that awakening.
Read the full story on ELLE India’s new issue, or download your digital copy via Magzter.
