Young Arjun Maini targets F1 opportunity

CHENNAI: IT’S been a steady progression up the motorsports ladder for Arjun Maini. Ever since the Bengaluru youngster switched from karting to single-seater racing, he’s basically jumped up one rung every year — from the JK Tyre Series to Formula 4 a year later to the GP3. And now he has found his way into the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Trident racing. He’s running out of rungs to climb — the next step up is Formula One.

The opportunity that Maini has is one that every young racer dreams of. The Formula 2 Championship is in its second season and it’s already contributed an F1 driver — last year’s champion Charles Leclerc signing up to drive with Sauber this year. Its predecessor, the GP2 series, was an ever more effective springboard. Thirty of the 174 drivers who raced in GP2 went on to F1 teams, including world champions Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and India’s own Karun Chandhok.

“I feel good,” Maini told Express. “It’s a new series, a new year and a new car. Last season was good for me and it was a great learning experience. I hope I can use all that in Formula 2.”Maini made quite an impression in GP3 last year, becoming the first Indian to win a race in Barcelona and grabbing another podium in the final race weekend in UAE. He finished ninth overall in standings. However, perhaps his most consequential achievement of 2017 was grabbing a developmental deal with F1 outfit Haas F1 — a partnership that is likely to continue into 2018 with the team making it clear recently that it was negotiating with both Maini and his fellow developmental driver Santino Ferrucci. 

“The stint with Haas has enabled me to develop so much and I’ve been able to see how a Formula One team works first hand,” Maini said. “The input I’ve received from participating in the simulations have been valuable. I have not gotten an opportunity to test drive the car, hopefully, it will come soon.”

Maini is 20, an age where many young racers question whether racing in F1 is a realistic prospect and explore other series like GT cars, endurance racing and Formula E. There are no such thoughts in Maini’s mind though. He has only one target as of now. “There’s only Formula One for me. That’s all I’m seeing right now,” he said. “I know I have the potential and that I will be an asset to any F1 team. I’m not thinking about when I’ll get the chance to drive an F1 car. I’m just focussed on giving my best because I know that a great performance here will capture the attention of F1 teams.”
vishnu.prasad@newindianexpress.com