Julian rouse

BWT Alpine Formula: Kush Maini became the first Indian driver in Formula 1 since 2012, joining the BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team as their latest test and reserve driver for the 2025 season.

This makes him the only Alpine F1 reserve driver actively competing in the Formula 2 Championship, where he will be racing for Dams Lucas Oil. Maini’s announcement marks the end of a 13-year hiatus for an Indian talent to be part of an F1 team. As part of his role, the 24-year-old will use the driver-in-loop simulator at the squad’s Enstone base to support their car development and set-up objectives, as well as participating in the TPC programme (Testing of Previous Cars) to continue to improve his skills.

Maini joined a pool of reserve drivers at Alpine that also includes Paul Aron, Ryo Hirakawa and former Williams super-sub Franco Colapinto.