Kush Maini Will Remain With Alpine Through 2027
The driver will continue his developmental work with the Alpine Formula 1 team through the 2027 season.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Motorsports
Live Poll
Do you believe long-term reserve roles help or hinder a professional athlete's career progression?
Kush Maini is set to continue his tenure with the Alpine Formula 1 team through 2027, focusing on simulator and track testing roles. This agreement follows his conclusion of a four-season tenure in the Formula 2 championship.
Why it matters
The decision allows Alpine to retain a trusted driver for internal testing and simulator sessions as the team finalizes its competitive roster. Maini remains a key developmental asset for the organization despite not securing a full-time race seat for the upcoming season.
Maini concluded his four-season Formula 2 career by securing ninth place in the standings with a total of 90 points. He remains active in motorsport as a reserve driver for Mahindra Racing in Formula E.
The players
Kush Maini
An Indian racing driver from Bengaluru who has served as an Alpine reserve driver.
Alpine
A French Formula 1 team based in Enstone that maintains a developmental academy for racing talent.
Pierre Gasly
A French professional racing driver who serves as a primary pilot for the Alpine Formula 1 team.
Franco Colapinto
An Argentine racing driver signed to drive for the Alpine Formula 1 team alongside Pierre Gasly.
Mahindra Racing
A racing organization competing in Formula E that employs Kush Maini as a reserve driver.
The details
Maini will focus on extensive simulator work and track testing sessions based at the Alpine team facility in Enstone. While Alpine has confirmed its race lineup with Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto, Maini remains integrated into the team's ongoing development structure.
Timeline
Maini joined the Alpine Academy in 2023.
He served as a reserve driver for Alpine throughout 2025 and 2026.
Maini will remain with the Alpine team through 2027.
Roadmap
This move highlights the increasing importance of dedicated simulator and test pilots in modern Formula 1, where technical data development is as critical as race-day performance. By retaining Maini, Alpine reinforces its strategy of using the Alpine Academy to maintain a deep bench of experienced developmental drivers.
Fans tracking the Formula 1 driver market should note that Maini will not appear on the starting grid for Alpine this coming season. His primary contribution to the sport will occur behind the scenes, impacting the team's vehicle development rather than race weekend results.
The takeaway
The retention of experienced reserve drivers provides teams with the continuity necessary to develop competitive race cars in a data-driven era. Drivers in similar positions can leverage testing roles to remain relevant and prepared should a race seat vacancy occur.
Further reading
For more updates on driver movements, visit our Motorsports section.
Live Poll
Do you believe long-term reserve roles help or hinder a professional athlete's career progression?
