Indian F2 driver Kush Maini survives a terrible accident in Baku and is penalized after the race

Baku, Azerbaijan: Indian driver Kush Maini survived a horrific accident on Sunday after stalling at the start of the Formula 2 main race, a support race to Formula 1.

The frightening incident occurred on the first lap of the Formula 2 race preceding the Azerbaijan Formula 1 Grand Prix.

The 23-year-old Indian was unable to avoid the start of the race because his car's engine suddenly failed. This caused his co-drivers Josep Maria Marti and Oliver Goethe to lose their visibility, which led to a serious collision.

The rear of Maini's car was completely destroyed by the force of the impact, but fortunately he escaped unharmed.

Maini’s father Gautam confirmed PTI that his son is doing well.

“He is doing well. Kush has undergone all medical tests as part of standard protocol and all reports are normal,” he said.

Maini, who is in his second Formula 2 season for Invicta Racing, is 11th in the overall standings. The race was won by Trident's Richard Verschoor.

After investigating the incident, the race stewards imposed a 10-second time penalty on the Indian for the collision he caused.

“After the race, the Stewards heard from the team representative and examined the available video evidence before determining that the driver of Car 9 had failed to complete the start set-up procedure for the start of the race. This error resulted in the car stalling on the grid and the subsequent collision.

“Race control concluded that Maini was solely responsible for the collision and therefore imposed a 10-second time penalty on him. As Maini did not finish the main race, his time penalty was converted into a five-place grid penalty,” said a statement from Formula 2.

Maini will serve the penalty in the next race.

Safety in motorsport has improved dramatically over the past two decades, but the sport remains dangerous. Formula 2 driver Anthoine Hubert succumbed to his injuries in 2019 following an accident on the legendary Spa Francorchamps race track in Belgium. The Frenchman was only 22 years old.

Jules Bianchi, only 25 years old, died in a collision with a tow truck during the Japanese Grand Prix in Formula 1 in 2014. After the fatal accident, the FIA ​​introduced Halo, a head protection system, on all Formula 1 cars.