P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Alpine have been testing their F1 reserve driver lineup
Indian racer Kush Maini had the opportunity to test an F1 car this week during private tests at Zandvoort, Netherlands.
The 2026 F1 championship had to cancel its fourth and fifth rounds due to conflict in the Middle East, resulting in a five-week break for teams to conduct essential testing.
Alpine provided Maini with a testing session as part of their development program, alongside other reserve drivers Paul Aron and Alex Dunne.
Teams like Mercedes and McLaren are also utilizing the break for testing, with Lewis Hamilton spotted testing a Ferrari and Max Verstappen expected to test a Red Bull.
Maini is among the few Indian drivers in F1 history, and he has been part of the Alpine Academy since 2023, gradually progressing through the ranks to become a reserve driver for the team.
