Indian Driver Announced as Part of Alpine’s F1 Team

While Pakistan continues to struggle in making waves on the international sports scene, India has made another big move in the world of motor racing, with Indian driver Kush Maini set to join the Alpine Formula 1 team for the coming season. Although Maini won’t be part of the F1 grid, he will be stepping up as the team’s Test and Reserve Driver while continuing to compete in Formula 2 with DAMS.

This development follows a successful first year with Alpine, which saw Maini join their Academy in October 2023 before making his mark in Formula 2 during the 2024 season. Kush Maini impressed in F2 with five podium finishes, including a race victory in Budapest, cementing his reputation as one of the most promising talents in motorsport. In 2025, he will enter his third season in Formula 2, but with the added responsibility of being Alpine’s Test and Reserve Driver.

In this new role, the 24-year-old will work closely with Alpine’s F1 team, using the team’s driver-in-loop simulator at their Enstone base to contribute to car development and setup. Maini will also take part in the Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme, which will help him refine his skills and gain a deeper understanding of F1 machinery.

Kush Maini will join a talented pool of reserve drivers at Alpine, which includes Paul Aron, Ryo Hirakawa, and Franco Colapinto, as the team continues to develop its driver lineup for the future. He will also become the third Indian driver to be part of an F1 team, following in the footsteps of Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok.

The 2025/26 F1 season kicks off this Sunday with the Australian GP.