MATTIA BUCCI IS READY FOR VALLELUNGA

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The Abruzzo driver will take part this weekend in the second round of the Sprint series of the Italian Grand Touring Championship

From May 22nd to 24th, we’ll see young Mattia Bucci return to the track at Vallelunga. After the events at Imola, the Bucci-Agoglia duo is ready to tackle this weekend, capitalizing on their experience with the #163 Lamborghini, which they’ve already raced for two weekends.

“I can’t wait to get back on track. The Misano weekend helped us a lot to better understand the car, our potential, and the right strategies, especially after Imola, which didn’t go as we’d hoped. But now we have the chance to make up for it at Vallelunga. So, heads up and focused on the goal,” said Mattia.

The two free practice sessions will be held on Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 3:40 p.m. Qualifying sessions will take place on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. and 9:25 a.m along with Race 1 at 2:00 p.m.. Race 2 will take place on Sunday at 10:10 a.m. The events will be available to follow on the official Aci Sport channel (http://www.youtube.com/@ACISportTVofficial ), on Sky channel 228, and on Tivùsat channel 52.

Mattia invites you to stay connected and follow him in this new chapter through his, Minardi Management, team, and championship social media pages:
• Instagram: @mattiabucci_official; Facebook: Mattia Bucci – Racing Driver
• Instagram: @minardi_management; Facebook: Minardi Management
• Instagram: @mattiabucci_fanclub
• Instagram: @dlracing.official
• Instagram: @cigranturismo; Facebook: Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo

The press officer, Federica Moccia

VICTORY IN SPAIN AND PODIUM IN VARANO: MALIK AND QUONDAMCARLO IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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Another weekend full of satisfaction for our drivers, who stood out across Spain, Poland, and international competitions. With victories, podiums, and high-level performances, the positive signs continue to grow race after race.
From the steady development of the youngest drivers to the confirmations of those becoming increasingly competitive, the weekend highlighted talent, determination, and a strong ability to adapt in highly competitive environments.
Another important step forward for the entire group, which continues to work with great intensity and to collect increasingly encouraging results.

Manuel Quondamcarlo – P2 – Ligier Italian Trophy – Round 2, Varano (Italy)
Second round of the Ligier Italian Trophy at Varano with Manuel once again among the main protagonists. The weekend started off very positively right from FP1, where he secured an excellent second place, immediately showing a strong feeling with both the car and the track.
In qualifying, Manuel further raised his performance level, securing a brilliant pole position thanks to an extremely competitive lap.
In Race 1 he fought strongly for the win, once again demonstrating speed and determination. However, a contact during the race prevented him from taking victory, forcing him to settle for a still excellent second place.
Manuel once again confirms himself as one of the leading contenders in the trophy, achieving yet another strong result despite a bit of bad luck that denied him a victory that seemed within reach.

Brodi Cooper Dowling – P5 – Formula K Raceway – Northern Regions Championship, Round 2 – Junior MAX Category
Brodi returned to the track, delivering a very positive weekend from the very first sessions. The young driver started in the best possible way, taking P1 in the warm-up, immediately confirming strong pace and excellent feeling with the circuit.
He maintained a high performance level in qualifying as well, finishing with a solid P4 that allowed him to start near the front. In the heats he continued his strong form, also securing a brilliant P2 and consistently remaining among the most competitive drivers in the field. In one of the races, however, an incident occurring ahead of him forced him to lose several positions, partially compromising the work done up to that point. Despite this, Brodi still managed to finish the weekend with a positive P5 overall.
In his first year in the Junior category, Brodi continues to show strong progress. His performances throughout the weekend highlight speed, maturity, and increasingly strong competitiveness. The front positions were well within his reach, further confirming the great potential he is showing race after race.

Julia Angelard – Polish Championship, Bydgoszcz (Poland), Round 1 – Junior OK Category
RACE 1: P4
RACE 2: P11
RACE 3: P12
RACE 4: P10
A positive weekend for Julia in the Polish Championship, an extremely competitive environment full of high-level opponents. The young driver got off to a very strong start already in qualifying, securing a solid P6 that immediately put her in the spotlight.
In the races, Julia managed to improve further, finishing with an excellent fourth place thanks to a consistent, intelligent, and highly combative performance. Notably, her ability to stay ahead of very strong drivers confirmed the progress she has made in recent outings.
Saturday was not easy, with a few additional issues and difficulties that complicated the work on track. Despite this, Julia showed maturity and determination, continuing to fight until the very end.
Julia is improving significantly, and the strong performances shown this weekend against high-caliber opponents are yet another confirmation. A weekend that brings very encouraging signals for the future.

Nilas Malik – P1 – CEK Hyundai 2026, Round 2
Nilas returned to racing in the CEK Hyundai series in Spain, delivering a near-perfect weekend from the very first sessions. The young driver started strongly in qualifying, securing a brilliant P6 that immediately confirmed his excellent form.
Throughout the heats, he remained consistently in the leading positions, demonstrating great speed and consistency. Solid performances allowed him to secure an excellent P3 in the Super Heat, further consolidating his status as one of the weekend’s main protagonists. In the final, Nilas was flawless. Perfect race management, competitive pace, and strong determination allowed him to take a brilliant victory as a true standout performer.
Nilas continues to improve race after race and is showing a completely transformed level compared to last season. This extremely positive start to the championship confirms his growth and the great potential he is finally managing to express consistently.

Author: Gabriele Bovio

BERGONZINI GT ITALIANO ENDURANCE ROUND 1 MISANO CIRCUIT

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Weekend dal potenziale importante ma concluso anzitempo per Matteo Bergonzini e il suo equipaggio composto da Dimitris DeVerikos e Max Abbati nel Campionato Italiano GT Endurance.

Fin dalle prove libere, il trio ha mostrato un ottimo passo, chiudendo le sessioni con una terza posizione in FP1, la prima posizione in FP2 e nuovamente la terza posizione in FP3, confermando subito una  competitività concreta nella categoria GT Cup AM.

Il weekend di gara ha iniziato però a complicarsi durante le qualifiche del sabato. Nella Q1, Dimitris DeVerikos non è riuscito a completare il proprio giro lanciato a causa di un’incomprensione con un’altra vettura, situazione che ha compromesso pesantemente la sessione. In Q2, Max Abbati ha invece effettuato un ottimo lavoro riportando la vettura in seconda posizione di categoria, mentre nella Q3 Matteo Bergonzini è riuscito a segnare un tempo competitivo poi cancellato per un track limits.

La somma delle problematiche e la mancata registrazione di un tempo utile nella prima sessione hanno costretto l’equipaggio a partire dall’ultima posizione assoluta su 53 vetture, oltre che dal fondo della categoria AM.

La gara di domenica è scattata sotto una pioggia intensa, arrivata puntualmente pochi minuti prima del via delle tre ore endurance. Lo start è stato effettuato da Dimitris DeVerikos in condizioni estremamente difficili, con pista bagnata e regime iniziale di Safety Car.

Non appena la gara è entrata nel vivo, l’equipaggio ha iniziato una straordinaria rimonta. Grazie a un ottimo ritmo, DeVerikos è riuscito rapidamente a recuperare numerose posizioni fino a portare la vettura in testa alla categoria GT Cup AM dopo pochi giri.

La corsa del team si è però interrotta poco prima della fine del primo stint. Un contatto con un’altra vettura ha causato danni molto pesanti alla macchina, terminata anche contro le barriere di protezione. Nonostante questo, la vettura è riuscita a rientrare ai box, dove i meccanici hanno tentato per oltre 40 minuti di effettuare le riparazioni necessarie per tornare in pista e provare a conquistare punti importanti per il campionato.

I danni riportati si sono però rivelati troppo estesi, costringendo il team al ritiro definitivo dalla competizione prima che Matteo Bergonzini e Max Abbati potessero prendere parte ai propri stint di gara.

“C’è sicuramente grande rammarico – racconta Bergonzini – perché il potenziale per fare molto bene c’era tutto. Nonostante la partenza dall’ultima posizione stavamo recuperando in maniera importante e avevamo già conquistato la leadership di categoria. Dispiace non aver potuto dare il mio contributo in gara, ma questi episodi fanno parte dell’endurance. Ora dobbiamo guardare avanti e concentrarci sulla prossima tappa.”

Tutte le attenzioni sono ora rivolte al prossimo appuntamento stagionale di Monza del 21 giugno, dove l’obiettivo sarà tornare subito competitivi e rilanciarsi nella lotta di campionato.

Aggiornamenti giornalieri verranno caricati sui nostri Profili Social.
INSTAGRAM: matteo.bergonzini
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WEB SYTE: www.matteobergonzini.it
www.minardimanagement.com

JULIA ANGELARD STARTS THE POLISH KARTING CHAMPIONSHIP

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  • After competing in several international karting series, Julia Angelard will begin competing at the national level in just a few days.
  • The first round of the Polish Karting Championships, scheduled for May 14-16, 2026, will be held on the track in Bydgoszcz.
  • As the teenage Pole, a member of the ORLEN Motorsport Academy and the PZM Junior Team, emphasizes, returning to Polish tracks is always a nice change.

After two rounds of the European Karting Championship, Polish drivers are set to compete in the championship – this time, however, from the comfort of their own homes. In just a few days, on May 14-16, 2026, the top karting competitors will arrive in Bydgoszcz to compete in the first of four editions of the Polish Karting Championship in the 2026 season. Among the competitors who will take up the challenge in the OK-Junior category is also Julia Angelard.

From Spain to Poland for a new beginning
Although Julia Angelard competed in the FIA ​​Karting European Championship just a few days ago, from May 8-10, 2026, at a track near Valencia, the return to Poland represents a fresh start for the driver. Both during the previous round, when, despite showing solid pace in the heat races, she narrowly missed advancing to the semifinals, and in earlier rounds of the European Karting Championship and the Champions of the Future series, the teenage Polish driver competed for the Birel ART team.

Similar to the COFTA series in which Julia competes, competitors draw a random engine for their kart. PFriday’s session, known as qualifying practice, provides the starting grid for the first of four equal races. The starting order for the remaining three races is determined by the positions achieved by the drivers in the last race. Victory in a given round is determined by the total points earned by the drivers throughout the weekend, with two additional points for the fastest lap.

Julia Angelard: time to catch up
“Last year I missed the Polish Karting Championship round in Bydgoszcz, so it’s time to catch up this season. Returning to Polish tracks is always a nice change from competing on European and world tracks, where the field is several hundred competitors in one category. I can’t wait to compete in the OK-Junior – this will be my last Polish Karting Championship in this age category, and I intend to give it my all. I’m looking forward to it. I encourage you to visit Kartodrom Bydgoszcz at 116 Fordońska Street and support me this weekend – admission is free, and the competition runs from 12 to 5 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday” – emphasizes the protégé of Minardi Management powered by Dag Ltd.

Julia Angelard’s start schedule in the OK-Junior category
Friday, 15.05.2026
12:50-12:56 – Qualifying training
14:35-14:55 – Final 1
16:40-17:00 – Final 2

Saturday, 16.05.2026
09:50-09:58 – Warm-up
12:25-12:45 – Final 3
14:55-15:15 – Final 4

Saturday’s competition during the third and fourth races of the round will be broadcast live on the PZM YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHk6eaNWiXs.

THE SECRET TO RIVAAN’S SUCCESS

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Chennai is home to some of India’s eminent motorsport athletes. Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok, both of whom have been F1 Racers in the past, put the city on the motorsports map. But the next generation is destined to elevate the city’s reputation, as their performances have raised eyebrows. One such performance is by Rivaan Dev Preetham of MSPORT. He pulled off a brilliant double by winning both the point scoring Super Heat and Final races in the OK-Junior Class of the Indian Karting Academy Trophy 2026 karting competition at the Meco Kartopia circuit in Bengaluru on Sunday. The event, many believe, is a good preparation for the Meco FMSCI National Karting Championship set to happen later this month.

After failing to top in the practice sessions, qualifying and heats, Rivaan delivered it when it mattered the most, as he finished first in the race. “This is my first year in the junior category and I enjoy the power and speed of the junior engine, but it’s also heavier and much more physical which I’m getting used to,” said an elated Rivaan after the win.

Regular practice at Meco Kartopia in Bengaluru, CoASST Coimbatore, and MIKA in Chennai and inputs from team principal Armaan Ebrahim helped him perform well. “My coaching team comprises Armaan Ebrahim who is the team principal. His feedback and experience is invaluable for me. Rakesh Ramkumar works with me as my personal driving coach. My dad, Preetham Dev Moses, a multiple national champion racer himself, is the best coach I can ask for. He knows exactly how to help me get an edge , wherever I am racing,” explained 13-year-old Rivaan, the first Indian to have a top ten finish in the Rotax Grand finals in Bahrain last year.

Consistency and focus led him to drive to his full potential. “Working through the year consistently is the only way to maintain momentum and fight for the win. Workout, nutrition and seat time leads to a good race weekend. My team — my team principal, coaches and family made it possible. This is an arrive and drive program so we just have to trust the process of engine and equipment being almost equal. I have been driving the regular junior kart from the beginning of the year so that helped me adjust to handling this equipment as well,” he said.

Rivaan’s instincts help him stay ahead of them. “Many of the drivers on the grid have been racing the junior category for a year or more already so they have more experience. Rehan (Khan Rasheed), Rishik (Rohit Reddy), and I began racing at around the same time so we know each other well and they push me to become better and stay ahead. We keep learning from every race, every lap, every practice. The international exposure helps immensely because there is ruthless competition all the way!,” he shared.

Following his win, Rivaan said that he is pleased to see drivers from Tamil Nadu excel. “I’m always happy to see more interest in motorsport for a change and always extremely proud of representing my city and state which has been supportive of us. I would love to follow in the footsteps of Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok from Tamil Nadu,” he said.

Rivaan will be taking part next in Round 2 of the Indian Karting academy trophy in two weeks. Then, he will take part in Round 2 of the Champions of the Future Academy Program in Greece from May 29 to 31.

Ashok Venugopal

IN A RAIN-HIT ROUND, DUDU SALAMONDE FACES TOUGH CHALLENGES AT THE EUROPEAN KARTING CHAMPIONSHIP

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The second round of the FIA European Karting Championship put drivers’ adaptability and mental strength to the test at the Lucas Guerrero Karting Circuit in Valencia, Spain. Among those who took on the challenge was Brazilian driver Dudu Salamonde (Minardi Management powered by DAG / EXA Tecnologia / Vero Coco / DKR / RL Eng. Design / Casa Barô / SOMA Blindados / Team: Parolin Racing / Coach: Gianluca Beggio), who endured a weekend defined by persistent rainfall and extremely demanding conditions in the OK category, within a competitive field of 83 drivers.
From the very first free practice sessions, the Spanish round showed signs of being a gruelling weekend. The Valencia region was hit by severe weather instability throughout the event’s activity days, including hailstorms, which significantly limited track time for several teams ahead of the official programme.
“It was a very tough week because of the weather. There was hail during free practice and we ended up missing some sessions before the official schedule began. We already know that the qualifying heats will likely be held in wet conditions, so it’s going to be a real fight,” said the São Paulo native, even before the official activities got underway.
In qualifying, Dudu Salamonde was placed in Group E of his category, setting out the path he would follow across the five qualifying heats of the event. Despite the challenging circumstances, the Brazilian put in consistent performances throughout the opening heats and showed the ability to respond under adversity.
In the first two heats, Salamonde demonstrated strong pace and carved his way through the field, gaining a combined total of eight positions across both races. His aggressive driving style and capacity to adapt to the ever-changing conditions of the Spanish circuit drew attention throughout the paddock.
The second day of qualifying heats brought even more drama for the Parolin Racing factory driver. Dudu returned to the track for three further races, with Heat 4 standing out as the highlight of his weekend. The Brazilian pulled off ten overtakes during the race — a performance that underlined his raw potential even in the most difficult of conditions.
In the final heat of the programme, with the track having dried out, Dudu was unable to complete the opening lap after the start. The incident directly impacted the points tally he needed to progress in the event and cut short a recovery drive that had been steadily building throughout the weekend in Spain.
Salamonde concluded his participation just three points shy of a Super Heat berth, bringing his campaign at the second round of the European Karting Championship to an earlier-than-expected end. Even so, his competitive performances amid such adverse conditions provided encouraging signs for the next stages of his international season.
“We came so close to making the Super Heat, but it certainly wasn’t for lack of effort or commitment — from me or from the entire team. Everyone worked incredibly hard during these days in Valencia, especially with track conditions that were changing every single lap. Now it’s about staying focused, because we still have a lot ahead of us,” said the driver from São Paulo.
With little time to dwell on what has passed, Dudu Salamonde is already looking ahead to his next continental assignment. The Brazilian will travel to Mülsen, Germany, where he will compete in the third round of the FIA European Karting Championship from June 11 to 14.
The races will take place at the Motorsport Arena — a circuit located just over 80 kilometres from Leipzig — in yet another important milestone in the Parolin Racing driver’s international journey.

Press Office: Kako Marques / KMCom Press
Follow Dudu Salamonde on Instagram: @eduardosalamonde

SILVER DEBUT FOR MATTIA BUCCI IN THE ENDURANCE SERIES

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The driver from Abruzzo conquers the first podium of the season

The first round of the Endurance series of the Italian GT Championship was held from May 8th to 10th, showcasing the consistency and tenacity of the crew behind the No. 163 Lamborghini of DL Racing. This year, however, young Mattia Bucci competed as a professional in the PRO-AM category. The Bucci-Agoglia duo was joined by Alessandro Cremona, and the three immediately found the chemistry needed to maximize the car’s potential in the adverse and ever-changing weather conditions.

In qualifying, they managed to set the second-fastest time in their class and third overall. Sunday, however, presented several weather challenges: it began to rain shortly before the start of the race, but not consistently, with alternating periods of lull and heavy rain. For this very reason, it was important to choose the right strategy, and therefore the right type of tires: the 163 engineers’ decision to continue with wet-weather tires was key to preventing the trio from having any unpleasant incidents. Thus, they crossed the finish line in second place, securing their first podium of the season.

“I’m very proud of how I worked this weekend, but especially of how my teammates worked: Pietro covered the opening and closing stints admirably, even managing to get out of tricky situations that few would have managed; Alessandro, on the other hand, consistently kept the car on the best line for us, managing it well in the third and fifth stints. There were some challenges, but we demonstrated our potential, and we’re very proud of that. Now we need to start focusing on the next race weekend, in Vallelunga,” said Mattia.

In just two weeks, on the weekend of May 22-24, the second race weekend of the Sprint series will take place in Vellelunga. The two free practice sessions will be held on Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 3:40 p.m. Qualifying sessions and Race 1 will take place on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. and 9:25 a.m. Race 2 will take place on Sunday at 10:10 a.m. The events will be available to follow on the official Aci Sport channel (http://www.youtube.com/@ACISportTVofficial ), on Sky channel 228, and on Tivùsat channel 52.

Mattia invites you to stay connected and follow him in this new chapter through his, Minardi Management, team, and championship social media pages:
 Instagram: @mattiabucci_official; Facebook: Mattia Bucci – Racing Driver
 Instagram: @minardi_management; Facebook: Minardi Management
 Instagram: @mattiabucci_fanclub
 Instagram: @dlracing.official
 Instagram: @cigranturismo; Facebook: Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo

The press officer, Federica Moccia

BETWEEN COMEBACKS, PODIUMS AND SIGNS: THE STORY OF THE WEEKEND

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Another intense race weekend for our drivers, competing in several international events across karting, endurance racing and formula categories. Between podiums, strong comeback drives, seasonal debuts and valuable experience gained on track, there were plenty of positive signs throughout the weekend.

Another important step forward in the development journey of all our drivers, already looking ahead to the next events on track.

Julia Angelard – P85 – FIA Karting European Championship, Round 2, Valencia – OKJ Category
A difficult weekend for Julia at the Valencia circuit, where changing weather conditions made things particularly challenging. The young Polish driver faced an uphill battle from qualifying, which she finished in P21.
Throughout the heats, she encountered several difficulties fighting in the middle of the pack, making it hard to fully showcase her potential. Despite the commitment and determination she showed on track, Julia was unable to secure a place in the final.
Beyond the result, however, the weekend highlighted encouraging signs of progress. Julia showed improvement in several areas, handling the adversity of the weekend with increasing maturity. A performance that goes beyond the final classification and confirms a development path that continues to move in the right direction.

Benjamin Westwood – P33 – FIA Karting European Championship, Round 2, Valencia – OKJ Category
A positive weekend for Benjamin Westwood, who started strongly with a solid P6 in qualifying, immediately confirming both good pace and a competitive approach. During the heats he stood out thanks to an impressive comeback drive, highlighted by an excellent third-place finish on Saturday.
Starting the final from P21, contact during the race caused him to lose several positions, eventually finishing P33. An unfortunate ending that does not take away from all the positives shown throughout the weekend.
Benjamin once again proved capable of fighting through the field and recovering positions during most sessions, demonstrating a great fighting spirit. A disappointing final result, but still a weekend full of encouraging signs and further growth.

Zack Zhu – P29 – FIA Karting European Championship, Round 2, Valencia – OKJ Category
A great weekend for Zack, who immediately impressed in qualifying with a brilliant P2 that confirmed his excellent pace. During the heats he also secured a victory, along with two second-place finishes, demonstrating consistency and competitiveness across the entire event.
In the final, however, after starting from P18, Zack finished P29 due to a series of unfortunate circumstances that compromised what had been an almost perfect weekend up to that point.
Overall, Zack executed nearly everything perfectly from a performance and pace perspective, but he will need to work on optimizing the decisive phases of the weekend in order to turn his potential into concrete results. The speed is clearly there — now it is about converting it into the results he deserves.

Maxime Noeppel – P60 – FIA Karting European Championship, Round 2, Valencia – OKJ Category
A positive weekend for Maxime, who made another important step forward in his development. The young driver successfully qualified for the Super Heat, a result that confirms the progress shown in recent events.
Starting from the back, Maxime delivered a determined and consistent race, recovering several positions to finish P21. A comeback built on grit, consistency and increasingly mature management of every phase of the weekend.
Maxime continues to make huge improvements, growing race after race while gaining more experience and confidence. His development on track is becoming increasingly evident and suggests very promising potential for the future.

Matteo Gallo – P74 – FIA Karting European Championship, Round 2, Valencia – OK Category
Matteo Gallo returned to the track at Valencia for the FIA European Championship. The young French driver narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Super Heat by only two positions, in a weekend where he nevertheless showed strong competitiveness and continued improvement.
Throughout the sessions Matteo demonstrated speed and great determination, confirming the progress made in recent races.
Although the final result did not allow him to continue further into the weekend, his performances clearly reflected a driver evolving rapidly. Matteo is developing in the right direction and continues to gain valuable experience. A few details still need refining in order to make the final step toward consistently fighting for the top positions, but the f signs are definitely promising.

Nefeli Kosmopoulou – P80 – FIA Karting European Championship, Round 2, Valencia – OK Category
A difficult weekend for Nefeli, who started from P27 in qualifying and was immediately forced into a recovery race. The young driver tried to climb back through the field during the heats, but several challenges prevented her from fully expressing the potential she has already shown in previous occasions.
Despite a complicated weekend, Nefeli never stopped fighting, showing determination and commitment throughout every session. In the final heat she managed to recover several positions, highlighting strong race pace and a positive reaction, although it was not enough to change the overall outcome of the weekend.

Eduardo Salamonde – P73 – FIA Karting European Championship, Round 2, Valencia – OK Category
An unlucky and particularly demanding weekend for Eduardo Salamonde, who after a difficult start was involved in a significant accident. Fortunately, the Brazilian driver escaped unharmed, suffering only minor pain, and was still able to continue the weekend with great determination.
Despite the difficulties encountered, Eduardo showed strong character and fighting spirit, missing out on the Super Heat by only one position. During the weekend he recovered around twenty-five positions overall, a clear sign of the speed and growth he demonstrated on track.
Salamonde continues to prove that he is working extremely well and developing rapidly. The goal now will be to confirm the positives shown during this event at the next race in Germany, where he can continue his growth journey with even greater confidence.

Jason Kosmopolos – P27 – FIA Karting European Championship, Round 2, Valencia – OK Category
A complicated weekend for Jason, who started with a P26 in qualifying that immediately made things difficult. Despite the early struggles, he never gave up and managed to produce an impressive comeback of around fifty-two positions across the various sessions.
In the final he once again showed great determination and fighting spirit, delivering an exemplary performance all the way to the checkered flag and finishing P27.
A very important job by Jason, who despite a difficult start and a far-from-easy weekend demonstrated character, resilience and the ability to react. A weekend worth much more than the final result suggests, confirming his constant development.

Vladimir Ivannikov – P11 – FIA Karting European Championship, Round 2, Valencia – OK Category
Another positive weekend for Vladimir, who continues to confirm himself as one of the most consistent and competitive drivers on track. After qualifying in P12, he completed a very solid weekend, constantly remaining within the top ten without making mistakes.
Clean performances, competitive pace and excellent consistency allowed him to remain among the frontrunners throughout the event, although this time he could not quite make the final step toward fighting for the podium.
Vladimir once again proved himself to be an extremely fast and reliable driver, with all the qualities needed to compete for podium finishes every weekend. The feeling is that the next big result is only a matter of time.

Vanesa Silkunaite – P8 – Academy Senior Trophy
Young Lithuanian driver Vanesa took part in the Academy Senior Trophy, representing her country after being selected as Lithuania’s official representative in the competition. An important experience that confirms the quality of the path she is building.
Starting from P11, Vanesa delivered a very solid final race, climbing through the field to secure P8 thanks to a consistent and well-managed performance in every aspect.
An excellent weekend for her, as she continues to show growth and maturity. Two rounds of the trophy still remain, and it will be interesting to see her back in action as she continues improving and aiming for the best possible results.

Mia Zanki – P1 – ROK Austria, Styriakarting (Austria) – Junior Category
A strong weekend for Mia Zanki, competing in ROK Austria and immediately among the frontrunners from qualifying, where she secured a brilliant pole position that once again confirmed her speed and excellent form.
In the first race, Mia successfully converted that potential into an excellent second-place finish thanks to a solid and mature performance. The second race, however, was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions that forced race control to stop the session.
Overall, it remains a very positive weekend for Mia, who once again demonstrated her ability to be a leading contender. Even though the competition was largely within her reach, the young driver approached the weekend with the right mindset, confirming her growth, speed and consistency.

Rivaan Dev Preetham – P1 – Meco Meritus Cup, Kartopia (India) – OKJ Category
An excellent start to the season for Rivaan in the opening round of the Indian National Championship. The young driver immediately impressed in qualifying, securing a brilliant P2 that highlighted both speed and competitiveness from the very first sessions of the weekend.
Those positive signs continued in both the Super Heat and the final race, where Rivaan claimed victory in both sessions. An authoritative performance built on consistency, pace and great determination.
Rivaan established himself as one of the standout performers of the weekend in the national championship, beginning his season in the best possible way and immediately proving he can be one of the benchmark drivers in the category.

Matteo Bergonzini – DNF – Italian GT Endurance Championship, Round 1, Misano (Italy) – AM Category
Matteo Bergonzini returned to the track for his seasonal debut at Misano. The weekend had started in the best possible way, with positive feelings already during free practice, later confirmed by an excellent P3 in qualifying.
Unfortunately, bad luck completely changed the course of the weekend during the race: due to contact that occurred while Matteo was not driving, he and the team were forced to retire, losing what looked like a result that was well within reach.
A huge disappointment for Matteo and the entire team, especially considering the potential shown throughout the weekend. Nevertheless, the positive signs from the first sessions remain extremely encouraging heading into the next events.

Mattia Bucci – P2 – Italian GT Endurance Championship, Round 1, Misano (Italy) – Pro-AM Category
A completely different story for Mattia, who enjoyed an extremely positive weekend from the very first sessions. After qualifying in an excellent P2, he confirmed his value in the race as well, maintaining competitive pace and managing every phase of the event perfectly.
An important result that allows him to begin the endurance season in the best possible way, immediately securing a podium finish in his first appearance of the year.

Miguel Garcia – P11 – Italian GT Endurance Championship, Round 1, Misano (Italy) – Pro-AM Category
The final driver on track at Misano was Miguel Garcia. Together with his team, he started the weekend positively already in free practice, consistently running around twelfth position and showing strong pace from the outset.
In qualifying he secured P14 in class, later converted into a solid P11 finish in the race thanks to a concrete and well-managed performance.
Another strong start to the season for Miguel, who delivered an intelligent and highly effective race. Great driving, excellent management and many positions gained — all very encouraging signs for the continuation of the season.

Milla Sjörstrand – P5 – Formula 4 Nordic, FDM Jyllandsringen, Round 2
Second round of Formula 4 Nordic and Milla was once again one of the stars of the weekend. The young driver started strongly already in qualifying, securing a brilliant P2 that immediately confirmed the competitiveness shown from the very first sessions.
Throughout the heats she continued to impress with consistency, remaining close to the podium positions while demonstrating maturity, pace and excellent race management.
In the main race she secured a category podium as well as P2 Rookie, results that earned her two trophies at the end of an almost perfect weekend.
A fantastic weekend for Milla, who continues to grow and establish herself among the leading names in the category.

Author: Gabriele Bovio

DUDU SALAMONDE REMAINS IN VALENCIA FOR THE 2ND ROUND OF THE EUROPEAN KARTING CHAMPIONSHIP

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Brazilian driver relies on the experience gained in Spain to fight for a spot in the OK category Final at the Lucas Guerrero Karting Circuit.

The circuit at the Lucas Guerrero International Karting Track has practically become a second home for Brazilian driver Dudu Salamonde (Minardi Management powered by DAG / EXA Tecnologia / Vero Coco / DKR / RL Eng. Design / Casa Barô / SOMA Blindados / Team: Parolin Racing / Coach: Gianluca Beggio) over the past few weeks. After competing in the Champions Of The Future, the Minardi Management powered by DAG driver remained in Spain to continue his preparation for the second round of the FIA European Karting Championship.

This week’s challenge promises to be even tougher. In the OK category, considered one of the main showcases of international karting, the grid will feature 97 drivers. Despite the fierce competition and the high level of the field, Dudu arrives motivated after showing steady progress since the start of his European campaign. The experience gained in every event, both in Italy and Spain, has strengthened the work developed alongside his team.

As a factory driver for Parolin Racing Kart, Salamonde has delivered increasingly solid performances at every new event. The Brazilian has stood out for his quick adaptation to European circuits, as well as for the maturity he has shown in battles throughout the international field. Even in a learning season, the driver has demonstrated competitive pace against some of Europe’s most experienced kart racers.

The Champions Of The Future round in Valencia was marked by an incident that compromised Salamonde’s plans. An accident caused after another kart spun in front of him disrupted the team’s work and prevented a more accurate evaluation of their performance. Even so, Dudu handled the setback with resilience and confidence ahead of this weekend’s new challenge in Valencia.

“We were making really good progress throughout the weekend, and the accident ended up hurting us a lot. It’s good to have another chance to race here in Valencia right away. Knowing the track better now, understanding the layout more, that helps a lot when it comes to achieving our goals,” commented Dudu Salamonde.

Spending nearly 30 consecutive days in Spain has also represented an important period of growth for the driver. The daily routine inside the competitive environment, the intense testing sessions, and the constant interaction with his team and fellow drivers have expanded Dudu’s experience both on and off the track. This process raises expectations for the remainder of the season.

The Brazilian driver believes the lessons learned over the last few weeks could make a difference during the key moments of the event. Recovering the kart’s performance during the Super Heat at the previous race gave the team extra confidence in finding a competitive direction. As a result, Salamonde heads into the second round of the European Championship determined to turn progress into solid results on Spanish soil.

“I’m really focused on achieving good results here in Europe. Last week, when we managed to get the kart sorted for the Super Heat, we could already feel that we had very strong pace. Now it’s all about working hard from practice onwards to fight for a place in Sunday’s Final,” Dudu highlighted.

The official schedule for the second round of the European Karting Championship begins this Friday (8), with official free practice sessions, qualifying, and the opening OK category heats. Saturday (9) will feature the remaining qualifying heats, which will determine the drivers advancing to the decisive stage of the event in Valencia.

On Sunday (10), competitors return to the track for the Super Heat and later the Grand Final. Fans who want to follow Dudu Salamonde racing live from Spain will be able to watch the action through the championship’s official YouTube channel.

Press Office:  Kako Marques / KMCom
Follow Dudu Salamonde on Instagram:  @eduardosalamonde

BERGONZINI NELL’ITALIANO ENDURANCE ASSIEME A SP RACING

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Matteo Bergonzini ripartirà da due conferme: la Porsche della SP Racing ed il Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo Endurance. Il driver modenese di DAG Management, con il supporto di Minardi, proseguirà il proprio percorso in un contesto competitivo e in continua crescita, consolidando il lavoro già avviato nella scorsa stagione. Dopo una serie di test svolti nel corso dell’inverno, Bergonzini ed SP Racing hanno rafforzato la collaborazione, evidenziando importanti progressi sia dal punto di vista tecnico sia sotto il profilo organizzativo.

La struttura padovana ha introdotto nuove soluzioni di assetto sulla Porsche 992 GT3 Cup, lavorando anche su aggiornamenti della vettura ed ampliando il lavoro di sviluppo grazie a un numero maggiore di auto e piloti coinvolti.Un contesto che ha favorito un confronto costante in pista, permettendo di individuare soluzioni sempre più efficaci da trasferire poi nel weekend di gara. La stagione prenderà il via il prossimo weekend al Misano World Circuit, primo appuntamento di un calendario articolato su quattro round endurance: Misano, Monza, Imola e Mugello. Tutte le gare avranno una durata di tre ore, elemento che renderà determinanti strategia, gestione e lavoro di squadra. Matteo Bergonzini condividerà l’abitacolo con Dimitris Deverikos, già compagno nella scorsa stagione, a cui si aggiunge per il 2026 Max Abbati, pilota esperto con numerose partecipazioni in ambito internazionale.

“Sono molto contento di continuare questo percorso con SP Racing,” ha commentato Matteo. “I test invernali sono stati fondamentali per fare un passo avanti concreto: il team è cresciuto, abbiamo lavorato tanto sull’assetto e il confronto con più piloti ci ha permesso di alzare ulteriormente il livello. C’è una base solida da cui partire.”

“Condividere la macchina con Dimitris e accogliere Max nel team è sicuramente un valore aggiunto. Sono fiducioso per questa stagione: l’obiettivo è fare un lavoro costante, puntare ai podi e giocarci il campionato fino alla fine.”

L’inizio della stagione a Misano rappresenterà il primo banco di prova per confermare quanto emerso nei test e trasformarlo in risultati concreti in gara.