Two-time Formula 1 World Champion Mika Hakkinen will mentor rookie Formula 2 racer Kush Maini, the pair have revealed.
Maini began his maiden campaign in the second-tier series as a regular points scorer with Campos Racing, peaking with a third-place finish in the Australia Sprint race.
But the Indian’s form has nosedived since then, only achieving three points finishes in the past 14 races. Maini has since slipped to 11th in the standings with 60 points.
However, Maini believes he can be a regular contender at the front in 2024 with the support of Hakkinen, who previously worked with multiple-time F1 winner Valtteri Bottas.
“I think from next year, my approach and that of my team is going to be a lot more structured thanks to Mika,” Maini said. “Having a trainer who’s looking after your nutrition at the track, a mind coach looking after anything you’re going through on a race weekend. Basically the way Mika works is you narrow down everything to the point where the driver just has one job.”
Maini is the younger brother of Arjun Maini, who previously competed in F2 for two seasons and temporarily held a role within Haas’ F1 operation as a development driver.
The 23-year-old is relishing the prospect of working with one of the sport’s greatest-ever drivers as he strives to reach the top flight.
“I’ve watched Mika since I was young. And I know everything he has achieved in this sport,” he commented.
“So just for him to believe that I could reach Formula One shows that we’ve done something right in these last 15 years. It’s a massive weapon you have in your arsenal when you have Mika Hakkinen standing behind you!”
Hakkinen states that progressing Maini through to F1 is their collective ambition.
“I have a lot of experience from working with Valtteri Bottas seeing him developing and growing as a driver,” Hakkinen added.
“More recently I’ve been following Kush, understanding his abilities, his talent for driving. It’s a very interesting journey together to develop, to be an even more professional racing driver. F1 is our objective, not forgetting the current situation.
However, the Finn insists he will not detail into instructing Maini on specific driving techniques: “I don’t think I have to put my nose into that,” he clarified.
Instead, Hakkinen explains that his newfound role will comprise utilising the “communication and the network that I have. These assets are very powerful when looking after a young talented driver.
“I’ve been an ambassador for Formula One and been part of F1 since 1991. It’s an asset, the power that I have to take this young driver into the right places at the right time.
“Of course, India is an enormous, powerful country. I’m part of bringing a young driver from India to Formula One, bringing these mega companies, learning to understand the opportunities that Formula One can bring them. And vice versa, of course, what Formula One can experience and create with India. I can only see beautiful success stories.
“India is going to be very powerful. And I want all Indians to know Kush Maini, I want everybody in India cheering him. I want them to feel that he’s going to be a winner in Formula One. Of course it requires very hard work and a lot of sacrifices.
“Because of my experience in this motor racing world, I do understand timing, being in the right team, having the right partners, working with the right people is crucial.”
Despite still having the F2 season finale in Abu Dhabi to contest, Maini expressed that he has already got his eye on next year.
“Having Mika behind me, my whole team being created now and not having to stress about racing, I think it’s a very exciting time for myself, and I definitely feel I haven’t showed anywhere near what I am capable of in the car,” he explained. “I’m very excited to hopefully show it next year.”
Maini’s career will also be supported by Guillaume le Goff, who also works with Alpine F1 driver Pierre Gasly. He will manage the day-to-day business of Maini’s career.
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