ART’s Kush Maini said it was a relief to have hung on for pole position by less than two-hundredths of a second in a dramatic Qualifying session in Hungary.
It’s the Indian’s second pole of 2026, adding to his top spot in Miami, having held on despite late pressure from Invicta’s Rafa Camara and Campos’ Noel Léon.
In a session that didn’t run to the usual structure, drivers delivered their laps at different points of the session in the hope of securing good track position on the twisty Hungaroring and benefiting from the best possible track conditions.
A second @aramco Pole Position Award in 2026 for @kmainiofficial ??
2025 #F2 champion and @McLarenF1 Reserve Driver, @LeonardoForna was on hand to present the award to the @ARTGP driver ?#HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/IDpE2QqCRK
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) July 24, 2026
Maini set the top time with a couple of minutes remaining, but Léon and Camara, who was going for a third straight pole position, were still on track and going quickly.
But the Brazilian, who had been looking set for a fifth pole of the year failed to improve his final sector and had to settle for second place.
“I’m glad to have stuck it on pole,” the 25-year-old said. ”Coming from Spa I had a mistake from my side in Quali. It hurt the whole weekend. And coming here, it’s a track I like, and I felt like I had to pay the team back. And I think we did that today. They gave me a great car.”
The Alpine Academy driver said he felt the ART held on to its tyres better around the relentless 4.3km circuit.
When the hard work pays off ??@kmainiofficial claims his second @Aramco Pole Position Award of the season, taking @ARTGP back to the top ?#F2 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/aMWaxG2xWT
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) July 24, 2026
He said: “[In] sector one, they both went way quicker. But fortunately, I think our car held on better through the lap. And so yeah, after sector one, I was like, ‘oh, it’s not looking great’. But then it held on and I was really happy.”
Maini has made no secret of the fact that he’s enjoying his time with the French team, after a tricky previous two years. He said he’s focussing only on the Sprint Race on Saturday before thinking about Sunday’s Feature Race.
“It’s F2, anything can happen,” Maini said. “I mean, in Monaco, I think I started like ninth and I finished fourth. In F2, you’re going to have to have like a great day from all perspectives.
“From your side, the start itself, and then the first in, there’s just a lot that goes into it. But full focus is on tomorrow. I think there’s still something to be won. And obviously gathering the data for the Feature Race to set the car up in the best way.”
Provisional Quali classification from Budapest ??#F2 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/r0Rpw97ZDM
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) July 24, 2026
Image Credit – Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty
