THE FUTURE IS FASTER: MEET THE UPCOMING STARS IN KARTING

Karting remains the essential proving ground for the next generation of motorsport talent and young drivers begin to carve their paths toward the pinnacle of racing. Meet four promising karting talents, each with unique journeys and a relentless drive to climb higher.

Milla Sjöstrand – Sweden’s Fastest Girl, Racing Toward the Top

Milla Sjöstrand has already made a name for herself as the fastest female karting driver in Sweden—a title she embraces with pride and perspective.
“I’m super proud to be the fastest girl in Sweden,” she tells Females in Motorsport. “I’ve had podiums and wins every season, proving that I’m a racing driver who doesn’t give up. But I’m not satisfied being the fastest girl—I want to be the fastest overall.”

Milla started karting at seven years old, and since then, she’s never looked back. Her talent quickly became evident, in her historic achievement as the only Swedish driver to reach the final of the prestigious FIA Girls on Track: Rising Stars programme.
“I’m the only girl in the world to be selected for this programme three times, so I am really proud of that,” she says.

One standout moment in Milla’s career was a near-flawless weekend in her second year of OK Junior.
“It was a really big race for me—my home race,” she recalls. “There were really great drivers entering, and I had high hopes. At qualifying I got pole position, and I kept it every heat. I never even got overtaken. We call that in racing the Grand Slam—and that was like an amazing experience. Not a lot of people get to do that.”

Alongside her karting success, Milla has also started making the transition into more single-seater racing. Despite all she’s achieved, Milla remains focused on the bigger picture—especially when it comes to representation.
“In the younger categories, there are a lot of girls. But then they stop, which I feel is very sad,” she says. “We need more women in the sport. When I was racing, I was the only girl all the time. It wasn’t sad, but something was missing.”

Recently, her impact was felt beyond the track.
“I was at the Swedish Rental Car Championship and got the prize for being the best woman there out of over 130 entries,” she says. “A parent came up and told me his daughter became interested in motorsport after seeing me race. That meant a lot—I’m really happy I can inspire younger girls.”

Looking ahead, Milla has her eyes firmly set on a professional career—and a big opportunity awaits. She’s been selected for the upcoming F4 India Shootout
“My goal is to be a professional racing driver full-time,” she says.

Vanesa Silkunaite: Rising Star Ready to Shine in Champions of the Future Academy

At 13, Lithuanian karter Vanesa Silkunaite is quickly establishing herself as a future star in motorsport. Now preparing for her first full season in the 2025 F1 Academy Champions of the Future Karting Academy, Vanesa’s excitement about the journey ahead is clear.
“I was really excited to start the season and obviously I couldn’t wait,” she recalls.

Her breakthrough moment came in 2023 when she won the FIA Girls on Track Rising Stars programme, an experience she describes as invaluable.
“I met a lot of new friends and learned that you don’t need to be nervous or think about the result — you just need to do your job and be your best,” she says.

That mindset has fuelled her resilience, especially during tough races like her climb through the field in Valencia, from P29 in qualifying to P11 in the race.
“After qualifying I was disappointed, but before the heat I made P4 in the final,” she explains. “I knew I could make the top five easily, but it didn’t go our way. I tried to stay strong to make the best [of it].”

Vanesa is no stranger to high-level competition, switching seamlessly between categories and teams.
“You need to forget everything that was before and stay stronger mentally and focus more on where you’ll be racing,” she explains.

Among the classes she’s raced, her favourite was Junior, especially because of the excitement of racing alongside her brother during his final year in the category as she was stepping in.

As she prepares for this season of karting backed by F1 Academy, Vanesa is energised by the level playing field the series offers.
“For everyone it’s the same conditions so you can show only your driving…” she explains. “The season has already started but I can’t wait.”

She knows this opportunity will be crucial to showcase her true potential and sharpen her racecraft against some of the best young talents in the world. With her focus and determination, Vanesa is ready to make a strong impression and take another big step forward in her racing career.

Nefeli Kosmopoulou: Carving Her Path

13-year-old  Nefeli  Kosmopoulou  is  quietly  emerging  as  one  of  Greece’s brightest karting prospects. With standout performances across Europe and a maturity well beyond her years, she brings precision to the chaos of competitive racing.

Her breakthrough came with victories at the Coppa Italia in Franciacorta and the Rotax Max Challenge Greece.
“Two very happy moments of my career,” she says. “They helped me gain confidence in motorsport, but even a good result in a big race is equally successful.”

Nefeli’s recent rise has been shaped by a demanding schedule—competing in both the WSK Series and the Champions of the Future Academy, where she’s learning to adapt to pressure and pace.
“These are very big championships with a lot of competitors,” she explains. “It helps you grow because you see yourself against others and learn more.”

Even tough weekends, like in Valencia where she faced engine problems in qualifying, are taken in stride.
“It was a challenging weekend—maybe a bit unlucky,” she says. “After, I think about what went right or wrong, then speak with my family and team to prepare better for the next one.”

Outside racing, music, sim racing, and skiing help her decompress.
“Music helps me focus or relax,” she says. “Sim racing helps me even when I’m not on the track.

Looking ahead, her ambitions are clear.
“My goal right now is F1 Academy.” she explains. “If I can climb higher, that will be great. But I like to be realistic and take it step by step.”

As for her dream racing team? Nefeli explains, “Max Verstappen—he’s very talented with a strong mentality. Ayrton Senna—for his speed and how he helped the sport. And Michèle Mouton—because she helped girls get closer to racing.”

Julia Angelard: Poland’s Rising Karting Star

Julia Angelard is making a name for herself as one of the most promising young talents in international karting. Representing Jastrzębski Racing, she competes in the ROK Italy Series and the Champions of the Future Academy Program, earning praise for her resilience, racecraft, and rapid development. When we speak, she’s trackside at Spa supporting her brother — proof that motorsport is a true family affair.
“It feels great,” Julia says of her rise through the ranks. “It’s very satisfying to have a lot of pace and advance through the races. It costs a lot of work and a lot of days at the track.”

One of her favourite moments came during a weekend in Lonato during her 2024 season.
“The first part of the weekend didn’t go very well, but in the final the conditions were changing all the time,” she says. “We had a good setup and I found very good pace. From P33 I finished P12.”

This season has been all about building consistency and mastering the art of overtaking and Julia is showing her growing ability on the track.
“I’ve become more confident that I can overtake older and more experienced drivers,” she says. Maybe more pace, and I’ve been more consistent with my laps.”

When asked what it takes to succeed, Julia is clear: “Determination, staying calm when something happens in the race, and working hard.”
Looking ahead, she has big ambitions.
“My biggest dream is to go to Le Mans and 24-hour races,” she says. “But first, I want to try to get into F1 Academy — it’s a really good platform for guidance. After that, see how far I can get, maybe even Formula 1.”  

At 13 years old, Julia Angelard is already showing the mindset of a true racer — focused, passionate, and driven to succeed.
These young female karting drivers are not only shaping their own futures but also paving the way for greater inclusion and representation in motorsport. With determination, talent and unwavering focus, they challenge traditional norms and show that racing is truly a sport for all.
Their journeys highlight the importance of resilience and passion in a competitive, fast-paced environment—and their successes inspire other girls and young women to pursue their dreams behind the wheel. As they continue to rise through the ranks, these drivers are on the path to become powerful role models, leading the charge for diversity and equality in motorsport’s future.

Photo credits: Minardi Management