‘The car is really quick’ – Maini hails strong start in Baku after going fastest in FP

Kush Maini was impressed with his and his ART Grand Prix team’s start to Round 12 in Baku, as he topped the times in Free Practice.

The Indian driver made a fast start to the session by setting the early benchmark, and with each lap he completed, was a constant presence near the top of the leaderboard.

But with his final lap of the 45-minute outing, Maini completed a 1:56.532 to beat Alexander Dunne to the top time by 0.204s.

Speaking after jumping out of the cockpit, Maini said: “It was really strong. I think all session we were really strong.

“It's a good feeling after Madrid obviously. We were P1 in Madrid as well after Practice and didn't end up racing really. So, nice to be back here in the front.

“Like we said, we know the pace is there. It's just about putting everything together now. It's great to start a doubleheader with good pace, but quali is next and practice means nothing really. So, we'll just take the confidence in the quali and try and re-deliver.

“I mean, the car is very good. It always has been. I think generally me as well, I get up to speed quite quick, even from my first day in F2.

READ MORE

• PRACTICE: Maini and ART Grand Prix quickest in opening Baku session
• PREVIEW: A supersized weekend in Baku for Round 12

“But I think it's a good starting point and it's time to re-do it again and try and find some time. Everyone's going to find time and quali will be interesting.”

Looking ahead to Qualifying, with the temperature expected to be warmer, a step from the Soft to the Supersoft, and with more rubber laid down by Formula 1’s Free Practice 1, Maini expects a different challenge later today.

“I think obviously with the track rubbering in, it was quite dirty in FP and then the tyres and everything, it'll change the balance a bit,” he explained. “Even the temperature will change the balance a bit.

“But in the end, we're in the right ballpark and it's about tweaking things. I think from the experience from previous years, we can sort of expect what change is going to be made and from a driving point as well, it's going to be a step forward.

“So, let's see. We know what it takes to get forward. That's pretty good.”

On the fight for pole, Maini who already has two Aramco Pole Position Awards this season – from Miami and Budapest – is hopeful to get two more this evening from Qualifying 1 and 2.

“If I do my best, the car is there and we should be there,” he added. “So, that's all I need to focus on. We'll see.”