SILKUNAS SHINES AT AL FORSAN AND RETURNS TO THE TRACK FOR THE WSK FINAL CUP IN CREMONA

Another intense weekend of competition for the Minardi Management drivers, engaged between the United Arab Emirates and the Cremona circuit for the WSK Final Cup.
A weekend that saw determined young talents take to the track, each one continuing their own path of growth, showcasing important confirmations, displays of character, and moments where misfortune influenced the final results.

Vanesa Silkunaite – Champions of the Future – Al Forsan (United Arab Emirates)
RACE 1: P7
RACE 2: P4

Vanesa Silkunaite opened the racing weekend. The young driver, competing on Arabian soil, started strong, showing interesting potential and good speed right from the beginning. She completed the two races in P7 and P4, earning valuable points and confirming her consistency in race pace.
Although the final results do not fully reflect her true potential, Vanesa demonstrated determination and the ability to react in difficult moments. This weekend represents an important step ahead of the final two rounds of the COFTAP, where she will be ready to give her all to fight for a standout result.

Markas Silkunas – Champions of the Future – Al Forsan (United Arab Emirates)
RACE 1: P1
RACE 2: P1

A weekend to frame for Markas in the UAE. The Lithuanian driver confirmed himself as a leading contender from the very first sessions, consistently staying at the front. With two flawless performances, Markas won both races, demonstrating consistency, speed, and great maturity in his driving.
An extremely important result, further confirming his status and potential. This weekend represents a crucial moment ahead of the final rounds of the COFTAP, where Markas is fully in contention for the world title. The goal is clear: give everything to pursue the final victory.

Zack Zhu – P8 – WSK Final Cup – Cremona (Italy), Junior Category
One of the best weekends of the season for Zack, who delivered an excellent overall performance despite some misfortune in the final race.
He started the weekend strongly, showing solid, consistent, and competitive pace from the first laps. Zack stood out in all sessions, racing with determination and clarity, confirming the strong work done in recent weeks. In the final, although his race pace was on par with the leaders, a few incidents prevented him from securing the result he clearly deserved. However, beyond the final classification, what matters most is the quality of the performance: Zack demonstrated maturity in race management, clarity in driving, and noticeable growth in every aspect.
This weekend marks a key step in his development, enriching his technical and racing experience. With this attitude, Zack will look to convert the speed shown into an even more important result at the next race. The potential is there, and it is evident.

Julia Angelard – DNQ – WSK Final Cup – Cremona (Italy), Junior Category
A physically demanding weekend for Julia. The incident during last week’s testing forced her to race with a neck brace, a condition that inevitably limited her performance and made the weekend particularly challenging.
Despite this, Julia showed great determination and a strong fighting spirit, completing the entire race program without ever giving up. This attitude deserves respect and highlights her strong competitive mentality.
The priority now is full physical recovery, so she can return to her maximum capacity in the upcoming races. Julia is ready to bounce back, more motivated than ever.

Jason Kosmopoulos – DNQ – WSK Final Cup – Cremona (Italy), Junior Category
The Greek driver faced more difficulties than expected, particularly in qualifying, where he was unable to find the ideal lap needed to secure a better grid position. This made the path to the final more complicated, and he was unable to reach it this time.
Nevertheless, Jason showed commitment and determination throughout the weekend, continuing to build valuable experience. A training period now awaits him at the Lonato circuit, essential for preparing for the final round of the WSK Final Cup.
Jason is ready to work with focus and turn his growth into a concrete result.

Nefeli Kosmopoulos – DNQ – WSK Final Cup – Cremona (Italy), Junior Category
The young driver showed a determined and competitive attitude from the very first sessions, with a pace that grew steadily and increasing confidence in her abilities. During the heats, however, several race contacts compromised her chance of reaching the final—an objective fully within her reach based on her performance.
Even if the result does not reflect her value, her resilience and ability to react are extremely positive signs. The work done in recent weeks is beginning to pay off, and this weekend confirmed that clearly.
With this approach, upcoming races could become key opportunities to achieve increasingly significant results. Nefeli is on the right path and proved it with maturity and determination.

Benjamin Westwood – DNQ – WSK Final Cup – Cremona (Italy), Junior Category
A challenging racing weekend in Cremona for Benjamin Westwood in the WSK Final Cup. Although the weekend wasn’t easy, Benji still showed promising speed and potential. A less-than-ideal qualifying session forced him to start mid-pack, making the climb toward the final more difficult.
Benji leaves Cremona with some regret, fully aware of his capabilities and of the margin still to be expressed. However, his growth path remains clear and consistent: the work being done is paying off, and the direction is the right one.
The focus now shifts to the WSK Finals in Lonato, where Benji will be determined to turn his potential into a strong result.

Vladimir Ivannikov – P11 – WSK Final Cup – Cremona (Italy), Senior Category
The sole representative in the Senior category, Vladimir Ivannikov delivered a weekend of solid performance and strong race presence. From the first heats, he showed excellent speed and effective race management, consistently among the leaders. His pace would have allowed him to legitimately fight for the podium, but an unfortunate incident pushed him down the starting grid for the final, forcing him to start from P14. At the start of the final, Vladimir reacted well and positioned himself to fight. However, an early-race contact, combined with a technical issue on the kart, compromised his chance to battle until the end.
Despite this, the overall performance remains of very high level, clearly reflecting the work and growth developed throughout the season.
Vladimir confirms himself as one of the strongest and most reliable drivers under Minardi Management. After a challenging start to the year, he built his progress with patience, method, and determination, now resulting in consistent and convincing performances. Only a bit of bad luck prevented an even better outcome this weekend, but the foundations are strong and the direction is right. The work continues with confidence.

Author: Gabriele Bovio