MP Motorsport have announced Kush Maini as the final driver in their line-up for the 2022 F3 season.
Maini – younger brother of ex GP3 and F2 driver, Arjun Maini, began his single-seater in 2016 with two seasons in Italian F4, before spending 2018 & 20 seasons in British F3 where he finished in top three across both seasons either side of a 2019 stint in Formula Renault Eurocup.
2021 saw Maini participate in F3 Asia where he finished 11th overall with a single podium finish, whilst also making his World Endurance debut for ARC Bratislava in the first of two races in Bahrain.
The 21 year-old is now “excited” to finally step up to FIA F3 with MP Motorsport and pointed to the Dutch team’s success in 2021 as behind his decision to join, as Caio Collet and Victor Martins were the only two rookies within a single team to finish in the top ten in 2021.
Speaking about his decision, Maini said: “In 2021, MP proved to be race winners and in the final standings, they were the only FIA F3 team to have two rookies finish in the top-ten.
“This shows their ability to coach rookie drivers on their way to immediately performing well in the series. I can’t wait to get going for pre-season testing and the first round at Bahrain!”
MP Motorsport Team Principal, Sander Dorsman added that he was “pleased” to welcome Maini to the team having felt that he has proved himself “extremely well” in regional F3 categories.
Maini will partner Collet and Alexander Smolyar with the latter switching from ART GP in a swap with Victor Martins.
On expectations of Maini this season, Dorsman commented: “I’m sure he will mix well with Alex and Caio, and we will do our best to help him shine during each of the nine-race weekends coming up in the championship.”
Confirmation of Maini’s drive now means that just three seats across Hitech, Jenzer and Carlin remain to be filled ahead of the new season, after Carlin last week announced Brad Benavides as their second driver.