What Happened to Arjun Maini? The Quick Scoop 🏁

Nothing bad happened to him—he's actually thriving! Arjun Maini is very much alive, well, and currently competing as a professional racing driver in the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) for HRT Ford Racing in the 2026 season.

Where Is He Now?

Current Status (2026)

  • Series: DTM (Germany's premier touring car championship)
  • Team: HRT Ford Racing (driving the No. 36 Ford Mustang GT3 EVO)
  • Recent Achievement: Made history in September 2024 by becoming the first Indian driver ever to secure pole position in DTM at the Red Bull Ring, Austria
  • Career Stats: 78 DTM races, 3 podium finishes, and 1 pole position as of early 2026

Why People Ask "What Happened?"

The confusion stems from his disappearance from the Formula 1 feeder series around 2018–2019, when many thought he was India's next F1 hopeful. Here's what actually went down:

The Infamous 2018 F2 Drama

While racing in Formula 2 for Trident, Maini became the victim of one of motorsport's most talked-about teammate feuds:

  1. Alleged Sabotage: At the 2018 French Grand Prix, Maini's radio messages revealed extreme frustration over an underperforming engine. Data later suggested his American teammate Santino Ferrucci may have intentionally compromised his car setup.
  1. On-Track Assault: At Silverstone, Ferrucci deliberately forced Maini off the track during the race, then crashed into the back of Maini's car after the checkered flag had waved—a blatant act of aggression that led to Trident issuing a public apology to Maini.
  1. Cyberbullying: Ferrucci also publicly mocked Maini on social media, escalating the controversy.

"You know, this really f's me off actually. I've met Arjun... he's legitimately a super nice kid, always smiling, really well mannered and pretty damn talented." — Forum user defending Maini

Ferrucci's reputation took a massive hit, and he was eventually blacklisted from F1, while Maini quietly rebuilt his career.

The Comeback Story

Instead of giving up, Maini pivoted to GT racing :

  • 2021–Present: Became a factory Mercedes-AMG driver in DTM
  • 2026: Switched to HRT Ford Racing, continuing his top-level career
  • Legacy: Paved the way for his younger brother, Kush Maini , who now races in Formula 2 with Invicta Virtuosi Racing

TL;DR: Arjun Maini didn't fade away—he overcame a toxic F2 ordeal, reinvented himself in GT racing, and is now a historic pole-sitter in DTM, driving for Ford in 2026. His story is one of resilience, not disappearance.

Information gathered from public forums and data available on the internet and portrayed here.