Living in the present: Getting to know the real Kush Maini

10 August 2023

One of the standouts of the Formula 2 2023 season so far, it’s about time we got to know Campos Racing’s Kush Maini better.

The Indian driver talks all about going from India to Europe in order to pursue his dream of racing, his favourite memories, shows and his best-ever overtake.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

“I grew up in Bangalore India. Until I was 12, I was there full time really. I went to Europe to start karting and then I’ve been all over the place but if you asked me where home is, it’s always Bangalore, India.

“There was never really a track where I was growing up. My earliest memories were probably when I started karting in the National Championships in Hyderabad or something like that.”

OUTSIDE OF MOTORSPORT, WHICH ATHLETE DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST?

“Honestly I think you can leave that blank to be honest… I don’t know. Let’s go with Lionel Messi.

WHO ARE YOUR BEST FRIENDS ON THE GRID?

“I would say I’m probably closest with Ralph Boschung as my teammate. I’m definitely close with all the guys from MP, Caio Collet, my teammate last year, I was close with him. I tend to be closer with my teammates, my engineers and my mechanics at the team I’m in.”

HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM THE TRACK?

“Good question. I’m always training really or doing something to better myself but if it was something to wind down, I’d probably put a film on or a TV show, something like that so I can be in my own space. Comedy or horror films, maybe not alone. That’s more when I’m back home in India when I’m with my friends. That helps me wind down.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CHEAT MEAL?

“I’ll go with pizza. Any pizza. Four cheese is really nice.”

IF YOU COULD GO BACK TO A MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

“I’m going to be boring here and say to leave the past in the past and to just focus on the present – very professional.”

IF YOU WEREN’T A RACING DRIVER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR A CAREER?

“I trained a lot in boxing so I would say I think I’d do a sport, maybe football or boxing. I would have to be doing a sport for myself and my mental health.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE OR TV SHOW?

“I really enjoy watching Peacemaker. I really enjoyed that one to be fair.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE RACING MEMORY?

“British F3, Lap 1 at Donnington Park when I passed into Old Hairpin. That was a good move, you couldn’t really pass on that track so it was now or never and we had to go for it. It was quite risky, that corner you don’t really pass so I’d say that memory is really satisfying. Bahrain P3 in Qualifying in F3 – because I had a year out of racing and I sort of lost the dream, it showed me I could still do it even though I hadn’t been in the car for a year. That was a good memory too.”

WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?

“I have this gold chain of an Indian God, Hanuman. My mum gave it to me, that’s always with me wherever I go. That’s quite a prized possession for me. I feel quite connected to this one in particular and my mum got it made for me and I always have it around me.”

WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?

“Don’t look into the future.”

WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE YOU’VE BEEN AND ONE YOU’D LIKE TO VISIT?

“Home. I’m always away so I’ll pick home. I go twice a year. I’d like to visit New Zealand. When my brother raced there, he said it was peaceful. I really like peaceful places so that would be my go-to so I could disconnect.”