Sun Sep 15 13:38:05 UTC 2024: ## F2 Driver Kush Maini Penalized for Crash in Azerbaijan
Baku, Azerbaijan – Kush Maini has been penalized for his role in a multi-car crash at the start of the Formula 2 feature race in Azerbaijan. The incident, which involved Maini, Oliver Goethe, and Pepe Marti, resulted in a red flag after just a few seconds.
Maini, starting fifth, stalled on the grid, causing Goethe to collide with his stationary car. Marti, who started 21st, then crashed into Maini’s car, flipping his vehicle upside down before it made contact with the pit wall.
The stewards determined that Maini’s failure to engage the start-up procedure led to the initial stall and subsequent crash. As a result, he was handed a 10-second time penalty, which will be converted to a five-place grid drop for the next race in Qatar. He was also disqualified from the Azerbaijan feature race.
Maini expressed relief that no one was injured in the crash, but acknowledged his disappointment in the incident. “It’s a real shame to end the weekend like that because we had strong pace through practice, qualifying and the sprint,” he said.
His team principal, Andy Roche, shared Maini’s sentiment, stating, “I know I speak for everyone in the team when I say we’re all just relieved to see Kush walk away from that huge incident.”
The crash ultimately resulted in a race win for Richard Verschoor after a significant delay.
First Piper 