EIGHT DRIVERS, EIGHT TROPHIES AND A CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE: AN UNFORGETTABLE RACE WEEKEND 43

Eight drivers competing across several events, eight trophies and a title that makes this weekend truly special: Markas Šilkūnas is the 2026 F4 CEZ Rookie Champion. Race Weekend 43 brought DAG Management important results, but above all stories of determination, growth and character across international karting, national competitions and single-seater racing.

From Viterbo to Budapest, and from Jesolo to Killarney, each driver faced a different challenge. There were heat wins, podium finishes, recoveries, a title earned through an entire season of work and difficult moments that do not diminish the quality of the performances. For us, a weekend’s value is also measured by the ability to learn, respond and keep believing in the journey ahead.

I am immensely proud of all eight drivers and grateful to their families, teams, engineers, mechanics and everyone supporting them. Every achievement is the result of a shared commitment.

MARKAS ŠILKŪNAS | #26 | F4 CEZ – BUDAPEST

2026 F4 CEZ ROOKIE CHAMPION

The headline result of the weekend came in Budapest: Markas Šilkūnas secured the 2026 F4 CEZ Rookie Championship title, completing a season-long journey of development, speed and consistency.

His pace was clear in collective testing, with P4, P6, P3 and P8. After P3 in practice for his heat, Markas qualified P2. In the A+B group race he took an outstanding P2 overall and P1 Rookie; in the A+C group race he added P3 overall and P2 Rookie.

The Final was more difficult: a spin at the start forced him to restart from the pit lane, and he finished P16 overall and P9 Rookie. That moment cannot take away from an exceptional season or his thoroughly deserved title. I am enormously proud of Markas, his development and everyone who contributed to this achievement.

BENJAMIN WESTWOOD | #308 | IAME WARRIOR FINAL – VITERBO

P2 IN THE SENIOR FINAL

Benjamin delivered one of the weekend’s most exciting performances at the IAME Warrior Final in Viterbo. After an excellent qualifying session—P2 in his group and P5 overall—he demonstrated front-running pace throughout the event.

He claimed two heat victories, in A-E and B-E, as well as P2 in C-E, placing P4 after the heats. The Super Heat ended in P33, a difficult setback that could have compromised his final result.

Instead, Benjamin responded in the best possible way: he recovered nine positions in the Final to take a magnificent P2. This podium rewards speed, determination and the ability to respond at decisive moments. Congratulations Benjamin: I am incredibly proud of you.

BRODI COOPER DOWLING | #422 | WPMC KARTING – KILLARNEY

P2 OVERALL

At Killarney, Brodi Cooper Dowling confirmed his competitiveness in Junior Max with an extremely solid weekend. P4 in free practice and P4 in qualifying laid the foundation for three hard-fought heats.

Brodi finished P2 in Heat 1, P6 in Heat 2 and P2 again in Heat 3, securing P2 in the overall event classification. Two runner-up heat finishes and second overall reflect a consistent, mature performance.

It is rewarding to see Brodi convert his talent into increasingly consistent results, always with a positive attitude and a desire to improve. Another achievement to celebrate with his family and team.

MIO OLERT | #52 | F4 CEZ – BUDAPEST

P1 ROCKET ROOKIE IN THE A+C GROUP RACE

Mio Olert also approached the final F4 CEZ round in Budapest with determination and a desire to learn. Following the test sessions and P11 in qualifying for his group, he faced three valuable races in his single-seater development.

In the B+C group race, he finished P13 overall, P7 Rookie and P5 Rocket Rookie. The A+C group race brought his standout result: P10 overall, P6 Rookie and, importantly, P1 Rocket Rookie. He finished the Final P18 overall, P10 Rookie and P5 Rocket Rookie.

That Rocket Rookie class victory is a special satisfaction and confirmation of Mio’s progress. Every kilometre in Formula 4 builds feel, confidence and experience, and I am very proud of his commitment and development.

ZACK ZHU | #503 | IAME WARRIOR FINAL – VITERBO

P6 IN THE S125 JUNIOR FINAL

Zack Zhu once again demonstrated speed and adaptability at Viterbo in S125 Junior. In non-qualifying practice he recorded P4 and P3, and later topped two warm-up sessions, clear evidence of his potential.

After qualifying P13, Zack gained eight positions to finish P5 in Heat 1. A penalty affected Heat 2, which ended in P19, but he responded with P8 in Heat 3, gaining five positions. He stood P8 after the heats.

He finished P6 in the Super Heat and repeated P6 in the Final. It is an important result in a high-level event, achieved with determination despite setbacks. I am proud of his speed and continued progress.

NILAS MALIK | #140 | IAME WARRIOR FINAL – VITERBO

P16 IN THE JUNIOR FINAL, FIVE POSITIONS GAINED

Nilas Malik tackled an intense IAME Warrior Final, showing the pace to compete in a demanding field. P7 in his qualifying group translated into P20 overall.

The heats brought a mixture of setbacks and excellent performances: two P4 finishes in B-D and B-F demonstrated his competitiveness, while a penalty and lost positions made his path less straightforward. He was P21 after the heats.

Following P12 in the Super Heat, Nilas finished the Final P16, gaining five positions. It was an encouraging response and proof of his willingness to fight until the chequered flag. I am pleased with his efforts and confident about the progress still to come.

MIA ZANKI | #716 | MOJO CUP – JESOLO

SPEED AND DETERMINATION IN ROTAX MAX JUNIOR

Mia Zanki contested the MOJO Cup in Jesolo in Rotax Max Junior, continuing to gain experience and show encouraging pace. She reached P6 in free practice and qualified P8 in her group.

Her first heat ended with an excellent P2, confirming her ability to compete towards the front. She did not finish the second heat, which complicated the remainder of the weekend.

On Sunday, Mia set P2 in the warm-up, again demonstrating her speed, before finishing the Super Final P11. The final classification does not tell the whole story: what makes me proud is her ability to respond and continue working with dedication and determination.

SASHA AL JBRAIL | #102 | IAME WARRIOR FINAL – VITERBO

RESILIENCE AND PROGRESS AT A DEMANDING EVENT

For Sasha Al Jbrail, the IAME Warrior Final in Viterbo was above all a test of character. At an intense event, Sasha continued to work hard, improve his racecraft and look for every opportunity to move forward.

After qualifying P52 overall, he showed progress in the heats, with P17, P20, P14 after gaining three positions, and another P17. He stood P47 after the heats.

In the Super Heat, following P12 in the warm-up, an accident left him P32 and prevented him from qualifying for the Final. It was not the result Sasha wanted, but it does not define his ability or the work he has put in. His willingness to keep fighting when things become difficult deserves my full respect and support. I am proud of his resilience and will continue to believe in his journey.

CLOSING | DAG MANAGEMENT

Race Weekend 43 will remain a special chapter for DAG Management: eight drivers, eight trophies and the 2026 F4 CEZ Rookie Championship title secured by Markas Šilkūnas. Beyond the trophies, I take with me Benjamin’s comeback, Brodi’s overall podium, Mio’s Rocket Rookie win, the performances of Zack and Nilas, Mia’s potential and Sasha’s remarkable determination.

Every driver I represent deserves my applause: those who stand on the podium and those who face a difficult day deserve the same confidence and support. Thank you to the families, teams, technical staff and partners for their shared effort and passion. I continue building careers, one race at a time.