Kush Maini becomes the first Indian driver in Formula 1 since 2012. Maini’s announcement marks the end of a 13-year hiatus for an Indian talent to be part of an F1 team. 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. He joined a pool of reserve drivers at Alpine that also includes Paul Aron, Ryo Hirakawa and former Williams super-sub Franco Colapinto. He is the only Alpine F1 reserve driver actively competing in the Formula 2 Championship, where he will be racing for Dams Lucas Oil. He first joined the Alpine Academy in October 2023 before going on to race in the 2024 F2 season, during which he scored five podiums including a race win in Budapest. As he enters into his third Formula 2 campaign, Maini will also take on the position of Test and Reserve Driver for the Alpine F 1 team.