Bengaluru’s decorated karter Kush Maini has taken the Karting world by storm, stepping onto several podiums and clinching memorable wins this season. The teenager has etched his name in history as he became the first Asian to win the prestigious Trofeo Andrea Margutti Cup in March. Making his season a memorable one, Kush also finished second in his first-ever KF (the senior level of European karting) and he was also the first Indian to compete in the KZ (shifter kart).
The talented youngster inched closer to his dreams as he made his foray into Formula Cars this year, finishing second in Round 2 of the JK Tyre Racing Series, and made it more special, becoming the youngest ever driver at the age of 14 to achieve a podium in the championship.
Fifteen is the age for friends, coffee shops, movies, studies among many other things. But it definitely isn’t the normal trend to be on the race track fighting for a win and embracing the dangers of the sport. But following his sporting mantra ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’, Kush is taking giant leaps to fulfill his dream of becoming a formula one champion one day.
The Bengaluru teenager has kept up the family trend following his elder brother Arjun Maini, a decorated racer himself, and his father Gautam, very much a racer in his own right.
That definitely set the founding stone for Kush’s dreams which are clearly etched in his mind. And that is, to become a Formula One champion in five years time.
Winning his first title at the age of 10, Kush has seen a lot of ups and downs but never wavered from what he wanted in life.“My father gave me a lot of options. He made me try all different kinds of sports, including cricket, football, tennis and skateboarding, among others. I knew from the beginning that racing was what I wanted to do and my decision was firm. I have never regretted my decision till date and never will,” he adds.
The avid Artyon Senna fan, whose season ended early due to an injury is all geared up to make a switch from karting to formula cars and the excitement was evident as his face lightened up at the mention of a formula car.
“It has been a mixed season with a lot of ups and downs, but on the whole I’ve had a good season, an enjoyable one. Winning the Trofeo Andrea Margutti Cup (the first Asian to win) was the best moment. The injury was definitely a setback. But it has never affected me mentally. On the other hand, I in fact asked my dad in the hospital itself when I would be able to get back on the track again. It’s all but a minor bump. It did end my season but am rearing to get back next season, which looks to be an exciting and promising one. Riding a formula car was absolutely exciting. It was a completely different experience. It’s a step closer to my dreams. I will switch from karting to formula cars completely,” says Kush.
The class 10 student of Indus Valley who is being home-schooled now, plans to give up after class ten, and focus on keeping his general knowledge up to date, has absolutely no regrets when it comes to missing out on the life of a normal teenager.
“My parents have given me everything in life and more and there is absolutely nothing I would like to change in it. I lead a completely different life compared to youngsters my age but then how many kids my age are leading my life? That in itself says a lot. I am willing to give up everything that kids my age do. The only thing I miss most with all the travelling is my English Cocker Spaniel here at home.”
With his elder brother storming the tracks, the determined racer who is also an avid Chelsea FC fan sees his brother as a competitor when on the tracks. “On the tracks there are no friends or brothers. It’s all about competition. We are just competitors. Once off the track of course, there’s no competition and we’re like how brothers should be. It actually acts as a huge motivation to do well,” he explains.
Many sportsmen have several superstitious beliefs which they indulge in for better results. But apart from being scared of ghosts Kush is not superstitious. “I have personally seen other racers who wear a pair of socks or t-shirt, they are particular when it comes to that. But I don’t do that,” he ends.
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