Kush Maini Wins F2 Monaco Sprint Race, Becomes First Indian To Claim Title
Indian motorsport witnessed a historic moment as Kush Maini became the first Indian to win a Formula 2 race at the Monaco Grand Prix. The 25-year-old converted pole position into a win at the reverse-grid Sprint Race. Driving for DAMS Lucas Oil, he covered the iconic streets of Monte Carlo to mark his maiden F2 victory along with his first podium finish of the season. To achieve this, the BWT Alpine F1 driver held his composure across 30 laps in a nerve-wrecking competition.
While Maini's performance during the race drew praise, he stood at the top of the podium singing the Indian national anthem as Monaco's iconic street circuit became a witness to the moment. "P1 and first Indian to win at Monaco. It's a great honour and a dream come true, really. We keep believing," said Kush Maini, while showing gratitude for DAMS.
In the pit lane, Indian business tycoon Gautam Singhania was spotted celebrating with the 24-year-old, highlighting the ongoing support from JK Racing and TVS Racing, which are the two organizations that have backed Maini since his early racing career.
Currently serving as a reserve driver for the BWT Alpine F1 Team, Maini's impressive victory at Monaco has boosted his visibility. It has also sparked renewed conversations about the possibility of securing a full-time Formula 1 seat in the near future.
This marks Maini's second victory in the F2 sprint, finishing 3.705 seconds ahead of Mini. It is also his inaugural win with his new team, DAMS. With this victory, Maini advances to P13 in the championship, trailing the leader, Alexander Dunne, by 54 points.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
25 minutes ago
- The Hindu
ENG vs IND 1st Test: I try to forget quickly, says Bumrah on Indian dropped catches
In a parallel world, Jasprit Bumrah could have had more than the five wickets he ended up with in England's first innings here, and that too in double quick time. But a disastrous fielding display by his teammates – they dropped three catches off his bowling – and some rotten luck – he dismissed Harry Brook off a no-ball when on nought – ensured India was on the field for far longer than desired. But Bumrah was empathetic towards his fielders. 'You have to move forward,' he said on Sunday. 'I try to quickly forget. They [fielders] are also new [to England] and sometimes the ball is tough to sight. I don't want to be angry and kicking and putting more pressure.' ALSO READ | Bumrah fifer and Rahul's steady 47 helps India take 96-run lead at end of Day 3 Bumrah also stated that the wicket was still good to bat. 'There is a little bit of two-pace and the new ball might swing. But no demons. It's a fast scoring ground. So the more runs we get, the better.' By his own admission, the 31-year-old is not looking to play more than three Tests this series for better management of his workload. But the potential limited participation doesn't affect his thinking and preparation, he said. 'You don't look at what is going to happen. At this moment, I am trying to assess the wicket, and the batter. I am not thinking about how many games I am going to play.' The constant chatter about his career ending because of injuries also doesn't bother him. 'It was once said that I can't play cricket at all. Then it became six months, eight months. But it's been more than 10 years now in internationals and 12 to 13 years of IPL. Still people are saying 'I will go'. People can keep saying, but I am going nowhere. I will keep playing until god allows me to and try taking Indian cricket forward.'
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Bengaluru's hotel kitchens turn to machines for south Indian fare
Bengaluru: From soft idlis to crispy vadas, south Indian cuisine has always hinged on precision and a practised hand. But as the appetite for south Indian fare surges and skilled cooks grow scarce, Bengaluru's hotel kitchens are quietly adapting — by bringing machines into the masala. The city's hospitality sector is already seeing machines roll out vadas and stir up steaming pots of pongal. Yet, industry veterans say, full automation remains out of reach — especially for food steeped in regional heritage and family recipes passed down over generations. "South Indian cooks are particularly hard to find," PC Rao, honorary president of the Bangalore Hotels Association (BHA), said recently at the launch of the Media Day Marketing trade expo where equipment firms showcased new tools for the hospitality sector. "We have vada-making machines and pongal systems, but someone still needs to measure and feed the ingredients. It's not yet 100% mechanised," Rao said. Demand for bulk-catering solutions is driving part of this change and BHA president Subrahmanya Holla said machines are helpful where quantity matters. "We use pongal machines in large setups. Vada-making too is easier when it is automated. But not everything can be handed over to the machine. In a Mysore Pak production line we visited recently, there was still the need for a human hand to pour ghee and sugar at the right moment," Holla said. At Konark Hotel, one of Bengaluru's long-standing establishments, owner K Rama Murthy has implemented high-tech combi-ovens that use steam and dry heat to prepare dishes like bisibele bath, pongal, and pulao. "We can even roast masalas in it. But for shallow-frying, or making sambar and masala dosa, the machine has its limits," he said. Murthy, with over four decades in the industry, pointed to the difficulty in fully codifying south Indian culinary knowledge. "It's generational wisdom. You can't just put it in a syllabus," he said, adding that Indian food is typically made-to-order, unlike standardised continental or fast-food options. Some kitchens are also experimenting with advanced food technology such as freeze-drying or vacuum-packing to extend shelf life and preserve nutrition, but such methods remain costly. Impact on hospitality edu Meanwhile, hospitality schools are recalibrating their curriculum. At IIHM Bengaluru, students are now being trained on artificial intelligence-driven systems. "AI is streamlining kitchen operations — from menu planning to stock-taking," said Sanchari Chowdhury, the institute's director. "In fact, a Japanese restaurant here uses technology to remember diners' preferences—where they sit, what they order," Chowdhury, who believes Bengaluru's tech-savvy mindset gives it an edge, Sanchari said. She, however, added: "We have already replaced key cards with mobile check-ins. But even as roles evolve, the warm human presence is still crucial in hospitality."
Hindustan Times
43 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Elon Musk launches Tesla robotaxi in Austin: Here's how rides are priced
Tesla's long-hyped robotaxi was launched on Sunday afternoon, as per CEO Elon Musk who announced the rollout on his platform X (formerly Twitter). The first rides, priced at a flat $4.20 are now being offered in parts of Austin using driverless Tesla Model Y vehicles, stated a Reuters report. Several Tesla robotaxis were spotted Sunday morning navigating South Congress, a bustling neighborhood in the Texas capital, with no driver behind the wheel. A vehicle Tesla is using for robotaxi testing purposes on Oltorf Street in Austin(Bloomberg) Several social media users posted videos of robotaxis and noted that a single person was seated in the passenger seat, acting as a 'safety monitor'. The electric vehicle maker has not issued an official statement or provided details on the scope of the Tesla robotaxi launch, but a small group of influencers were invited to participate in a closely monitored pilot featuring 10-20 vehicles operating within a geofenced zone of Austin. Also read: Indian CEO slams Tesla for returning $1,000 fee: 'Elon Musk, do you know...' Texas lawmakers move to regulate autonomous vehicles The launch came days after Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a new legislation requiring autonomous vehicle operators to obtain a state permit. Though the law does not go into effect until September 1, it signals a shift from Texas' previously hands-off approach to autonomous driving regulation. The law mandated operators like Tesla to attest to the safety of their AVs, provide emergency protocols for police and first responders, and comply with Level 4 autonomy standards, which means vehicles can drive themselves within specific conditions sans human intervention. Tesla deviating from norms by not relying on lidar/radar The Reuters report stated that Tesla was bucking industry norms by relying exclusively on cameras, without lidar or radar. Additionally, Musk has long argued that relying on cameras make Tesla's system both safer and more scalable, though critics have cited safety risks and past delays as cause for concern. Musk has spoken about self-driving cars over the years and now he is promising that safety will be a top priority as they roll out Tesla robotaxis in Austin. These cars will steer clear of bad weather, tricky intersections, and underage riders, and will only drive in areas where they are certain everything is safe, Musk said. The launch of Tesla's robotaxi is a big step for the company's future plans. Analysts think a lot of Tesla's long-term worth is dependent on how well they can commercialize their robotaxis and AI technologies, like humanoid robots. However, it is not all smooth sailing. Tesla's rival Cruise, owned by GM, recently had to suspend its operations following an accident, and both Waymo (Alphabet) and Zoox (Amazon) are operating under heavy regulatory watch. Tesla's unique approach, relying purely on cameras, sets it apart from the competition, but it also brings its own set of safety and liability issues. FAQs Q: Is Tesla launching robotaxis in Austin today? Yes, Elon Musk announced that Tesla has begun offering limited robotaxi rides in Austin as of Sunday afternoon. Q: How much do Tesla robotaxi rides cost? Tesla is offering the initial rides at a flat rate of $4.20. Q: Are the Tesla robotaxis fully driverless? Yes, the vehicles operate without a driver but currently have a front-seat 'safety monitor' during this pilot phase. Q: What level of autonomy do these vehicles have? Tesla's robotaxis are classified as Level 4 autonomous, meaning they can drive themselves under specific conditions without human input.
