Kush Maini made it to the rostrum Saudi Arabia after ending second within the F2 Feature Race. The Indian racer had inherited pole place for the race after Oliver Bearman was known as up make his F1 debut with Ferrari, changing Carlos Sainz who was identified with appendicitis.

1. Maini began the race from pole
2. Fifth total within the championship

Maini P2 in F2 Saudi Arabian GP

After an ideal launch, Maini held the lead into Turn 1 and began pulling away from Jak Crawford. But that lead was nullified when the Safety Car was introduced out for a primary lap incident.

Once racing resumed, Maini as soon as once more began pulling away out at entrance. He held on to the online lead after the primary spherical of pit stops, however Van Amersfoort Racing’s Enzo Fittipaldi was gaining floor behind him. On Lap 13, Fittipaldi dived down the within to overhaul Maini and transfer as much as fourth place, which was the online lead on the time).

The Safety Car was introduced out as soon as once more on Lap 15, giving Amaury Cordeel and Taylor Barnard (on the alternate technique) the possibility to pit for recent rubber with out shedding place.

Back to inexperienced flag circumstances, Maini efficiently defended from Crawford. He then handed each Barnard and Cordeel within the closing levels to seize second place behind race winner Fittipaldi. “I am feeling good. Yesterday was a tough race and we really, really turned it around today,” mentioned Maini, who completed eighth in Friday’s Sprint Race.

“We had a massive step forward and we know now what to do with the car, and the team and I are feeling very positive for Melbourne. Today we had good pace, not quite the pace to win, but we definitely held our own, which is very positive and it is solid points in the bag. So, it was a good day in the office overall.”

Maini made the step as much as F2 final 12 months, ending the season in eleventh place. He confirmed some spectacular tempo in his rookie season, although, even gathering his first podium on the Australian GP dash race.

Along with being mentored by two-time F1 champion Mika Hakkinen, the Indian has additionally acquired backing from two main producers. He’s now a part of the Alpine F1 group’s younger driver programme and he’s additionally been introduced as Mahindra Racing’s new Formula E reserve driver. He’s taking part in his sophomore F2 season this 12 months, switching from Campos to Invicta.

2024 F2 championship standings

Maini is now fifth total within the championship, two factors behind Paul Aron and 20 factors behind total lead Zane Maloney. F2 will now head to Melbourne for the Australian GP on March 22-24.

2024 F2 Saudi Arabian GP Feature Race outcomes

Also see:

Kush Maini: ‘Formula E test role can help improve F2 results’

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