But for Maini, Maini is the only backup driver with a full-time F2 career, and the F1 position title is just part of the story. “Gashan has trust in me and they have seen me driving an F1 car in private tests,” he said in a recent interview. “But I still have to prove myself in F2, so that’s before F1.”
The latest changes to F1 rules require the team to provide two free practice sessions for rookie drivers per vehicle. In the Alps, Maini competes with three other reserve drivers for precious opportunities.
Asked if he was discussing free practice sessions with the Alps, Menie said: “This is one of the goals of the reserve and the mountains are open, but ultimately, F1 is a performance sport.”
Maini was in a thick state with Lucas Oil in his third season in F2. He won the Virgin victory in the 2024 Budapest sprint but has been lagging behind.
Maini admits: “F2 doesn’t go away exactly the way I want it to. The goal is to win the championship. I’m in the F1 garage. I know the engineer. If I do well, then I’m probably in the next step (the potential F1 seat for Alpine,” he said.
There is still a long way to go almost to quit the sport. “In 2021, I’m going to stop racing because we run out of money,” Maini recalls. “The sponsor’s support keeps my dream alive.”
Now, the shape of this dream is clearer – not only for his career, but also for India’s position on the racing track map.
