
When Bengaluru-boy Kush Maini crossed the finish line at Monaco earlier this year, becoming the first Indian F2 racer to win at the iconic track, the crowds went wild. But for him, the most memorable moment wasn’t the chequered flag. It was the sound of the Indian national anthem playing and watching the tricolour rise in front of a packed crowd. In a chat with us, the motorsport champion opens up about what it means to represent India in a sport that’s still finding its feet here, the challenges behind the wheel, and why he believes motorsports has a bright future in the country. Excerpts:‘RACING HAS NEVER BEEN JUST ABOUT MYSELF’Kush tells us that losses were easier to handle earlier in his career. But with recognition, he learned to bounce back stronger. “For me, racing has never been just about myself. Every time I get into the car, I feel like I’m racing for my family, my friends, and the entire country that’s supporting me,” says Kush. The pressure, he admits, is huge. “When I lose, it’s not just about me. It feels like I’ve let down everyone who’s rooting for me.” ‘EVERY SMALL ADVANTAGE COUNTS’To many, racing might look like simply sitting in a car and driving at top speed. But the physical and mental demands of the sport are immense. Kush explains, “Every year, I undergo evaluations to identify areas I need to improve on. We do hours and hours of intense work—because every small advantage counts at the F2 level. The mental side of racing is massive and often overlooked. My coach helps me set goals for each weekend that aren’t just about results, but also about process, and if I hit those, I’m happy, no matter where I finish.” ‘HAVING ROLE MODELS MAKES KIDS BELIEVE THAT SPORTS CAN BE A CAREER OPTION’While cricket continues to dominate conversations in India, Kush believes the rise of social media has given niche sports much-needed visibility. “When I was younger, I looked up to Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok. Just knowing that Indians could be on the global racing stage gave me hope,” he says. Today, thanks to platforms like Instagram and YouTube, young athletes across sports like javelin, boxing, athletics, and racing are finding fans. “I think having role models is massive for the younger generation. It makes kids believe that sport can be a career option, which is still not a common mindset in India,” he says.‘I ONLY STARTED RACING BECAUSE OF MY BROTHER ARJUN MAINI’ “I only started racing because of my brother Arjun Maini. I was jealous, and I wanted to beat him, and that’s how I began,” he says, adding that what started as sibling rivalry soon grew into passion. “At around 11 or 12, I realised I wanted to do this seriously. My dad saw that and gave me the chance to move to Europe to compete. We never looked back after that. I still call my brother for advice all the time. Everything I’m going through, he’s already experienced. The last three or four years, it’s been less about competition and more about learning from each other,” he recalls.‘MOTORSPORTS IS EXHAUSTING BUT VERY ADDICTIVE’Kush admits that motorsports are not for the faint-hearted. “It’s physically exhausting and mentally draining. But it’s also addictive. I’ve had way more bad days than good ones, but the good days make everything worth it,” he says. So how does he stay motivated, especially on the difficult days? “I remind myself that it’s not just about me anymore. I’m racing for my country, my fans, my family. There’s no time to sit and sulk—you just get up and move forward.” ‘GETTING A SEAT IN F1 IS LIKE GOING TO THE MOON FOR RACERS’For those wondering how F2 differs from Formula 1, Kush offers a simple explanation. “Think of it like football leagues. F1 is league one, the top level, while F2 is league two. Everyone in F2 is fighting to get noticed by F1 teams. There are only 20- 22 seats in F1, so making it there is like going to the moon. That’s the dream for every racer.” ‘OVER THE YEARS, THE INTEREST IN MOTORSPORTS HAVE GROWN IMMENSELY’Over the past decade, Kush has noticed a shift in how motorsports is perceived in India. “Ten years ago, no one in Bengaluru even knew what racing was. Today, when I go out with friends, people are talking about Formula 1 and Formula 2. The interest has grown a lot,” he says. While accessibility remains an issue but Kush believes the presence of Indian racers abroad is helping build interest. “Kids are watching races late into the night, they’re engaged, they’re excited. That’s a huge step forward.”‘COMING BACK TO BENGALURU KEEPS ME GROUNDED’For Kush, Bengaluru is more than just home; he shares, “No matter how tough a race weekend has been, coming back to Bengaluru resets me. I can eat dosa, see my friends, and go to a temple. It takes me back to my roots and keeps me grounded. Without Bengaluru, I don’t think I’d be where I am today.”