Kush Maini edges Camara by 0.033s to secure second F2 pole in Miami debut
Synopsis
Kush Maini's Miami masterclass wasn't just a pole — it was a statement. In Formula 2's debut at a brand-new circuit where everyone started equal, the Indian driver's 1:39.888 proved fastest when it mattered most, edging Rafael Camara by 0.033 seconds. With the grid wide open and Nikola Tsolov handed a reverse-grid gift, Sunday's Feature Race is set up as a genuine three-way fight.
Key Takeaways
Kush Maini secured pole position for the inaugural F2 race in Miami with a lap time of 1:39.888 .
Maini edged Rafael Camara by just 0.033 seconds — his second pole in Formula 2.
Martinius Stenshorne claimed third place, 0.050 seconds behind pole; Alexander Dunne finished fourth.
Nikola Tsolov's tenth-place result grants him reverse-grid pole for the Sprint Race.
The session featured one of the season's tightest qualifying battles, with the top ten separated by 0.050 seconds at its peak.
Kush Maini delivered a commanding performance in Miami on 2 May, securing pole position for the inaugural FIA Formula 2 race at the venue with a blistering 1:39.888. The championship's arrival in Miami marked a historic first, following the cancellation of earlier rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, creating a rare scenario where the entire field — rookies and veterans alike — tackled an unfamiliar circuit on equal footing.
The Qualifying Battle
The session unfolded as one of the season's most tightly contested qualifying affairs, with the top ten separated by just 0.050 seconds at its midpoint. Colton Herta set early benchmarks with a 1:41.038, but as track grip improved, the field rapidly closed the gap. Rafael Camara then moved to the summit with a 1:40.441, briefly holding the advantage alongside Alexander Dunne, signalling the intensity of competition.
Final Run Drama
Teams opted for a strategic reset, bringing all drivers in for fresh tyres ahead of the crucial final push. In the closing moments, all 22 cars crowded the circuit for their last attempts. Nikola Tsolov launched a strong effort before Gabriele Mini surpassed him, but neither could match Maini's ultimate pace. The Indian driver's final lap proved decisive, edging Camara by a razor-thin 0.033 seconds — his second pole position in Formula 2.
Grid Order and Implications
Martinius Stenshorne claimed third, just 0.050 seconds adrift, with Dunne rounding out the top four for Rodin Motorsport. Mini secured fifth, followed by Nico Varrone in sixth. Joshua Duerksen and Oliver Goethe finished seventh and eighth respectively, while Laurens van Hoepen and Tsolov completed the top ten. Notably, Tsolov's tenth-place result grants him reverse-grid pole for the Sprint Race — a significant opportunity for the Red Bull junior to recover points following earlier practice difficulties.
What's Next
Yellow flags emerged after Stenshorne stopped on track, preventing any further improvements and finalizing the grid. For Maini, pole position represents a crucial milestone heading into the Feature Race, offering him the platform to convert qualifying speed into a substantial race-day result as he builds on recent momentum.
Point of View
But because it came on a new circuit where experience counted for nothing and raw pace everything. With Camara just 0.033 seconds behind and Stenshorne another 0.050 back, the Feature Race grid is genuinely unpredictable. The real story isn't the qualifying order; it's whether Maini can convert pole into a win when the pressure is on.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who secured pole position for the first F2 race in Miami?
Kush Maini secured pole position with a lap time of 1:39.888, edging Rafael Camara by 0.033 seconds. It is Maini's second pole position in Formula 2.
Why was this F2 race in Miami significant?
This was the inaugural FIA Formula 2 race at the Miami venue, following the cancellation of earlier rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The new circuit meant all drivers — rookies and veterans alike — competed on equal footing.
Who finished in the top four of qualifying?
Kush Maini led from Rafael Camara in second, Martinius Stenshorne in third, and Alexander Dunne in fourth. The margins were extremely tight, with just 0.050 seconds separating the top three.
What is the significance of Nikola Tsolov's tenth-place finish?
Tsolov's tenth-place result grants him reverse-grid pole position for the Sprint Race, offering the Red Bull junior a strong opportunity to recover points following earlier setbacks in practice.
