Kush Maini on rediscovering his confidence with DAMS Lucas Oil

Last year wasn’t the year Kush Maini admittedly envisioned for himself, but 2025 is a fresh opportunity. He joins DAMS Lucas Oil for his third Formula 2 campaign and one he has increased expectations for.

His impressive pace from his 2023 rookie campaign persisted into 2024, but early season bright spots gave way to struggles that he’s eager to rebound from.

In DAMS, he joins an experienced team where he already feels right at home. That is just one factor behind the positive feelings he has ahead of the 2025 campaign getting underway, as he explains.

“2024 was a year of many ups and downs,” Maini admits. “We had some really good moments, like the Pole and win, lots of podiums but at the end of the day, it didn’t quite click.

"I found that confidence again as a driver, which I had lost"

“For whatever reason, the second half of the season – not scoring a point, that was a bit confusing for me. I took the decision to move to DAMS, I have a good relationship with Yannick even from previous years.

“That positive feeling is massive. Just having that confidence again and that belief that it can happen, which I feel like I lost a bit midway through 2024. The whole team, my engineer, everyone, we get along really well, and it feels like a very strong team.

“That’s my goal here – to get fully incorporated in the team, spend a lot of time with them to try and understand everything.

“I’ll be at the factory this week and I might move to a place closer to DAMS, so I can fully give it my all this year. But I’m really excited to be working with them and this new chapter in my career.”

Maini started work with his new team at post-season testing at the Yas Marina Circuit back in December.

He recalls both parties being very honest with each other, wasting as little time as possible in getting up to speed with how the other works, which has helped his adaptation to the team.

“Testing was very strong. When you join a new team, you want to understand how they work but I feel we were all very blunt with each other, which is the best way to operate in this sport.

READ MORE: DAMS Lucas Oil 2025 Season Preview: Experience leading the way

“If they wanted something better from me, or if I wanted something better from them, we just said it, and there was no hiding.

“I think that really made our relationship strong and it definitely helped during the tests. I found that confidence again as a driver, which I had lost. That’s very important for me so I feel like we’re on the comeback trail, and there’s some great things in store for us in 2025.”

There’s an air of redemption about Maini’s 2025 move to DAMS. He admits that last year’s downturn in form was difficult to swallow, but that he’s eager to prove it was a blip and not an irreversible slide.

"2024 threw everything at me. It gave me highs, very big lows, so I don’t think 2025 could take me by surprise"

But Maini says it was an important learning experience he’ll be putting to use this season, as he gets another chance he readily admits many might not have been able to.

“I think after the first three rounds last year, fighting for Pole at each round, I got a bit overconfident and just thought that everything would come easy.

“There were some things during the season that were confusing for me, but it’s just one of those things you have to move on from.

“But I’m grateful that I get another chance to show what I can do. Because I really feel like 2024 wasn’t a proper showing of myself. Many people don’t get another chance so I’m just really grateful for everyone involved that I’ve got one.

“I think 2024 threw everything at me. It gave me highs, very big lows, so I don’t think 2025 could take me by surprise. In that sense, mentally, I feel much stronger, and I feel ready for any obstacle.”

While Maini has prided himself on his one lap speed since joining Formula 2, DAMS have been most impressive on a Sunday, able to coax the best out of the tyres on many occasions, securing victories and podiums from seemingly difficult grid positions.

READ MORE: Then and Now: Jak Crawford on his rise from Formula 3 to Formula 2

It’s one of the biggest appealing factors for Maini in his joining the team, eager to combine his Qualifying prowess with the team’s ability to maximise their package on race days. It might even be the missing ingredient according to the Indian driver, who hopes to take a step forward in race pace consistency in 2025.

“Even in my rookie year, I was on the front row many times. Last year I was in the first three rounds and for this year, I don’t think that will change. Every team is different, but I feel that DAMS have a more even package.

“It was a big choice, but I feel that’s why DAMS are picking me. I need their help with race pace, and they need my help with Qualifying. Together, I feel we can give each other what we need to build a really strong foundation.

“I have Jak next to me, who’s a very quick driver and a race winner as well, and that’s just going to help our chances further. Together, I think we have a really strong team for 2025.”

Overall, Maini is honest about his previous year in the Championship, but it has only fuelled his motivation for this one.

In a new team, he has a fresh start and is optimistic that he’s in the right environment to not only get the best out of himself, but to also help the French outfit find their best form.

"I feel I have a lot left to show - this year is a good chance for me to work with this team and try to challenge for the title."

Both will have a clear aim of securing their respective titles in the Drivers’ and Teams’ Championships, and while it’s a lot of work to achieve, Maini feels he and DAMS should be well placed to accomplish their goals.

“2024 knocked me down a few pegs, but I feel I’ve come out stronger, and there’s just so much more I feel I have to show. I really hope I get to show that with my new team.

“I feel I have a lot left to show and while it didn’t quite work out in 2024, this year is a good chance for me to work with this team, help them build and try to challenge for the title.”