ART Grand Prix’s Kush Maini made no secret of his satisfaction after securing his first FIA Formula 2 pole position in Miami.
For the Indian driver, topping the timesheet on a brand new circuit, with a new team, carried a meaning that went beyond the result itself.
It was the reward for a long and difficult road over two tough years in Formula 2, seasons where every return to the championship felt heavier than the last.
Friday’s pole arrived at a moment where Maini looks to have rediscovered his confidence. With a team where he feels at home and on a track nobody knew, he proved that the work done behind the scenes made all the difference.
KUSHHHHHH!! ???
KUSH MAINI CLAIMS HIS MAIDEN @aramco POLE POSITION IN MIAMI!!?#F2 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/kDgkBBgkVn
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) May 1, 2026
Miami’s heat and the complexity of a debut street circuit demanded the best from every driver — and Maini delivered when it mattered most.
The ART Grand Prix driver said: “I know how tough these last few years have been. Every time I’ve jumped back in the F1 car or back in Formula 2, I’ve always struggled.
“So to do pole now, at a new track, with my new team where I feel back at home — it’s definitely very satisfying.”
On the lap itself, he explained the careful approach required: “With the heat we had on track, you definitely had to manage your rear and not ask too much of them — because as soon as you ask too much and you get a micro-slide, it just goes downhill.”
Maini magic ??
Kush claims his first @aramco pole position on our inaugural visit to Miami ?#F2 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/TxUZRE8Rev
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) May 1, 2026
Maini, 25, also spoke about the unique challenge of racing on a circuit with no prior reference: “You’re almost a guinea pig on the first laps, trying to figure out the best way around. No onboard , no lap data — it’s you and the simulation.”
Asked whether he left anything on the table, he was straightforward: “With these conditions, it’s almost impossible to nail every single sector. But I’m very happy with the lap we did.”
The Sprint Race takes place this Saturday at 10 AM local time, 3 PM UK time. For more updates, follow InsideF2 on our social media channels.
IMAGE CREDIT – Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty
