Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Kush Maini Extends Alpine Role as F1 Race Seat Waits
Kush Maini is an Indian racing driver who hopes to compete in Formula 1.
Alpine has chosen its race drivers for the next season, so Maini will not have a race seat then.
He says he will stay connected with Alpine through 2027, but the team has not decided what job he will do.
He has worked with Alpine since joining its academy in 2023.
He has also been a reserve driver and done simulator work and tests for the team.
Maini is finishing his fourth Formula 2 season, where he is ninth with 90 points.
He says he is moving on from Formula 2 but has not given up on Formula 1.
He hopes to stay prepared in case a chance to race comes along.
Kush Maini will remain associated with Alpine through 2027, although his role has not been decided.
Alpine has retained Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto for the next Formula 1 season, leaving Maini without a race seat.
Maini joined the Alpine Academy in 2023 and served as a reserve driver in 2025 and 2026.
In his fourth and final Formula 2 season, Maini is ninth with 90 points.
Maini said simulator work and testing with Alpine will help keep him ready if a Formula 1 opportunity arises.
- Who
- Indian driver Kush Maini and the Alpine Formula 1 team.
- What
- Maini will continue his association with Alpine through 2027, though his role is undecided; he has no race seat for the next season.
- When
- The report was published October 10; Maini's Alpine association is expected to continue through 2027.
- Where
- Maini spoke on the sidelines of the Singapore Grand Prix.
- Why
- Alpine retained Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto for its next-season race line-up, while Maini said his Alpine work keeps him prepared for a possible opportunity.
- Alpine association
- Expected to continue through 2027; Maini's role is not yet decided.
- Alpine race drivers
- Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto were retained for the next Formula 1 season.
- Alpine Academy
- Maini joined in 2023.
- Reserve-driver seasons
- Maini was an Alpine reserve driver in 2025 and 2026.
- Formula 2 standing
- Ninth, with 90 points, in his fourth and final season.
- Other reserve role
- Maini is also a reserve driver for Mahindra Racing in Formula E; its line-up is decided for next season.