There are stories in motorsport that transcend lap times, pole positions, and podiums. Stories that remind us why we fell in love with this sport—not just for its speed, but for the indomitable human spirit behind the helmet. Mio Olert’s journey is one of those rare narratives that stops you in your tracks and makes you reconsider what’s truly possible when determination meets opportunity.
At just 16 years old, this young Swedish talent from the small town of Söråker has already experienced a lifetime of challenges and triumphs. From battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the age of six to becoming the first-ever polesitter in the Senior category of the FIA Karting Academy Trophy, Mio’s story is a testament to resilience, family, and the transformative power of motorsport.
Now managed by the prestigious Minardi Management and preparing for his Formula 4 debut in 2026, Mio sat down with us to share his incredible journey—from the darkest days in a hospital room to the brightest moments under the lights of international circuits. What follows is a conversation that goes beyond racing, touching on the very essence of what it means to dream, fight, and never give up.
THE BATTLE THAT FORGED A CHAMPION
When most six-year-olds are learning to ride a bike and play with friends, Mio Olert was learning to survive. The diagnosis came like a bolt from the blue: acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Two and a half years of intensive care followed, with about another year and a half spent living in hospital wards.
“It was definitely a journey that shaped me as the person I am today,” Mio reflects with a maturity that belies his young age. “I think it gave me a lot, believe it or not. It made me stronger and more confident in difficult situations, and more proactive.”
For Mio, that battle wasn’t just about survival—it was about understanding what truly matters in life. “I think I’m lucky to be here today writing this, and it’s changed my outlook on life a bit. I get to live once and only once, so why should I do things I don’t think are worth it or what I want to do? You only get one chance, so why should people hold me back and make me do something else?”
It’s a philosophy that would become the cornerstone of everything that followed: Don’t take no for an answer, and if you have an opportunity for something you want, go and take
But even during those dark days, a spark of hope came from an unexpected source. Kimi Räikkönen—the legendary Finnish “Iceman” of Formula 1—sent young Mio his racing suit with a simple yet powerful message: “Get well soon, Mio.”
“To me, I think it shows that the world isn’t as big and cold as you might think,” Mio says. “Even though he’s a huge racing star, he took the time to send me this gift and message. I think it proves once again that you should take the plunge and try.”
That racing suit now hangs on the wall in Mio’s room in Söråker – a constant reminder that dreams, no matter how distant they may seem, are worth chasing.
FROM HOSPITAL BEDS TO RACING SEATS
At the end of 2017, still in therapy, Mio found his calling. Karting wasn’t just a sport—it was liberation on four wheels.
“I started karting a little later than the typical top-level driver, around 9 or 10 years old,” he explains. “I hadn’t found a sport I really connected to except snowmobiling, but in that you can’t really compete in safe conditions. So karting was the answer, a sport that fits me and my lifestyle.”
It became more than just Mio’s passion—it became a family project. His younger brother Max, now 14, followed him to the track, and suddenly the Olert family had found something that united them in a new and powerful way.
“It has been and continues to be a challenge, and a big one is the financial one,” Mio candidly admits. “But they work hard at their companies, and my brother and I are always the priority. For the family, karting has also become a ‘family project,’ and it’s fun to do it together; we all enjoy it. It brings you closer as a family. Memories have been created for life. I’m grateful for that.”
Parents Jonas and Jennie were more than supporters – they were architects of their children’s dreams, navigating the complex and expensive world of motorsport while keeping the family unit strong.
THE MINARDI CONNECTION: OPENING THE DOORS TO THE WORLD
Every young driver needs more than talent to succeed in the cutthroat world of motorsport. They need guidance, connections, and a structured path. For Mio, this came in mid-2024 when he joined Minardi Management, the renowned Italian agency led by Giovanni Minardi.
“It’s been a pleasure so far,” says Mio. “It’s fantastic to have someone to talk to and someone who wants the same thing—to move forward and improve. They really help me on my journey, providing opportunities and contacts I never would have come across without them.”
The value of having a professional organization behind you can’t be overstated in modern motorsport. “They’re playing a huge part in my journey from mid-2024 onwards. It’s nice to have someone who isn’t doing it for the first time—they have experience and know how to handle a variety of situations. I’m very satisfied so far, and it also makes me feel very good that they decided to contact me for this opportunity, for which I’m very grateful.”
It was this support structure that helped open doors to international competition, including one of the most prestigious opportunities any young karting driver could hope for.
REPRESENTING SWEDEN: THE FIA MOTORSPORT GAMES
In October 2024, Mio received the honor of representing Sweden at the FIA Motorsport Games in Valencia—often called the “Olympics of motorsport.” Competing in the Karting Endurance category alongside Sebastian Svensson and Mathilda Olsson, Mio felt the weight and pride of racing for his nation.
“It was really nice that Sweden chose us over everyone else,” he recalls. “It was nice to know that Sweden ‘wanted’ us. Even though the category wasn’t ideal for us, since we were all racing competitive karts, we managed to get a good result in the end, mainly because we were the only ones with the guts to refuel only once instead of twice.”
That propensity for calculated risk – that willingness to do what others won’t – would become a defining characteristic of Mio’s approach to racing.
PORTIMÃO: MAKING HISTORY IN THE RAIN
May 2025. The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão, Portugal. A light rain falls on the circuit as the inaugural qualifying session of the FIA Karting Academy Trophy Senior is about to begin. Thirty-six drivers from around the world, all wearing identical equipment, all fighting for a place in history.
When the checkered flag fell, one name stood out at the top of the times: Mio Olert – 1:14.308.
The first-ever pole position in the Senior category of the FIA Karting Academy Trophy. A piece of motorsport history earned by a sixteen-year-old from Söråker who, less than a decade earlier, wasn’t sure he’d see his next birthday.
“That was special,” Mio says, and you can hear the smile in his words. “The start of that week was a little slow since it was my first time in OKN—I normally race Rotax/X30—but my mechanic Alex Dahlberg told me he wasn’t worried and that the speed would come.”
What followed was a masterclass in trust, patience, and timing. “We arrived at qualifying where the track was wet. Alex told me we’d wait until there were three or four minutes left and then go out on the track. No stress, the last lap is the only time you’ll be fast.”
Mio followed his mechanic’s advice to the letter. “So I did as he told me and went out on the track a little nervous. Like he said, the first lap was slow, the second lap was slow… But looking at the clock that said 25 seconds left made me feel like ‘here it comes,’ and I felt it from start to finish, and especially in the last sector—it was all there.”
“So it was fantastic, and a huge thank you to Alex who I think along with me made us go so fast and put that lap down.”
MASTER OF THE WET: WHERE OTHERS SLIP, MIO SHINES
Portimão wasn’t a fluke. Throughout the 2025 season, Mio consistently demonstrated a special affinity for challenging conditions—a quality that separates the good drivers from the great ones.
At Rødby, Denmark, under a torrential downpour that left the riders struggling for grip, Mio gained an astonishing 13 positions in a single heat, climbing from the back of the pack to sixth. In the final, despite the extreme conditions, he not only finished sixth but also recorded the fastest lap of the race.
Where does this confidence in chaos come from?
“It’s quite interesting, actually,” Mio muses. “Since I’m often fast in difficult conditions, I think it has to do with my experience in other areas. I’ve driven many different vehicles in many different places and conditions—snowmobiles, SXSs, old cars, cars on ice, tractors, etc. Now for the real facts, I know that sometimes I’m safer in the rain before we start the engines. Maybe a better mindset.”
That comeback at Rødby was pure racing instinct unleashed. “The Rødby track is quite open and fun to drive and race. We’d had a bad qualifying with a slow engine, so we already knew we were faster and now we were ready for a challenge. So it was just everyone else out of the way – here we go.” Simple. Direct. Fearless.
THE ACADEMY EXPERIENCE: SAME MATERIAL, PURE TALENT
The concept of the FIA Karting Academy Trophy is brilliant in its simplicity: give every driver identical equipment and let pure talent decide the outcome. For Mio, this was the ultimate test—and a glimpse into what fair competition should be.
“I like the concept,” he enthuses. “It makes it easier for the rider to actually know where he is. The biggest thing I take away is that if I could choose to race again with the same or different equipment, I would choose the same one. Because it’s fairer for everyone, both in terms of performance and money.”
It’s a refreshing perspective from a young driver who might have made excuses when things weren’t going perfectly. “I think it’s unfair that if you have deeper pockets, you have a big advantage. Everyone should have more or less the same material if you really want to know who the best driver is.”
By the end of the season, Mio had finished sixth overall in the Academy Trophy standings with 103 points – a remarkable result for his first international campaign at this level.
“There are two sides to it,” he reflects. “The first is yes, because it’s by far the best result I’ve achieved in karting outside of the country. The other side is that we could have hoped for a little more in certain situations. It would have been nice to get a podium finish in the last race, but we didn’t manage it. Looking back, I have to say I’m 80% happy. We did a lot of fantastic things, and I learned a lot.”
THE MAGIC OF THE MECHANIST: ALEX DAHLBERG AND THE ART OF SETUP
Behind every great driver is a great mechanic, and for Mio, that person is Alex Dahlberg. The importance of the driver-mechanic relationship cannot be overstated, especially in karting, where setup can mean the difference between victory and midfield obscurity.
Mio learned this lesson the hard way in Linköping at the Swedish Championship, where nothing seemed to work. “Linköping was under a lot of criticism,” he admits frankly. “We shouldn’t have been there to pick up the pieces… We tried a lot of different setups, etc., but we just couldn’t get anything to work the way we wanted. Let’s just say that weekend wasn’t for us.”
But when the magic happens – when driver and mechanic find that perfect recipe – it is transformative.
“For example, we had a race in Rødby a couple of months before the Academy, and from one training session to the next, Alex had modified the kart a lot. When we went out, it was like driving a Ferrari—just planted on the ground and about four tenths faster than in the previous heat. If he hadn’t found that ‘recipe,’ we definitely wouldn’t have finished on the podium.”
That race? Mio went from P11 to P3 in the final. In the dry.
“It’s the difference between being seventh on the grid and being first,” Mio explains. “Not on every track – some require little modification – but others require a lot.”
PRESSURE, NERVOUSNESS AND THE MENTAL GAME
For someone who has faced a life-threatening illness, you might think the pressure of race day would seem trivial. But Mio is honest about the mental challenges of competing at a high level.
“Yes, I think so—I don’t get stressed very easily anymore,” he says when asked if his health battle has helped him manage competitive stress. “A little nervous on the grid, yes, but that’s pretty much it. Obviously, it gets a little more intense when you’re, for example, on pole, so I still think there’s potential for more improvement there, but it’s not too bad.”
It’s that self-awareness – that ability to recognize areas of growth while maintaining confidence – that marks Mio as a rider with champion potential.
THE BIG LEAP: HELLO, FORMULA 4
October 2025. Autodromo dell’Umbria in Magione, Italy. For the first time in his life, Mio Olert is racing in a Formula 4 single-seater. Alongside him in the SG Motors program: his Minardi Management teammate Vladimir Ivannikov.
This is the moment every karting driver dreams of
– the transition from karts to cars, from national circuits to international championships, from potential to reality.
“It’s definitely a big step, but I think I can adapt,” Mio says confidently. “So far, so good, we think. I’m a driver who builds confidence, so at this pointI can trust the car and what it does and doesn’t do. The next big thing is to start perfecting braking and braking forms. The biggest challenge is definitely braking technique, as it’s nothing like how we do it in karting.”
The learning curve is steep, but Mio is embracing it. “In the garage, it’s also a little different—you have more people working around you and you have more data to compare and look at, which I prefer because it makes everything clearer, more black and white.”
Some elements came naturally. “The gearbox and clutch came naturally, and I actually left the pits for the first time without turning it off,” he says with obvious pride. “I haven’t experimented too much with the aerodynamic effect since that track isn’t particularly fast, but we’ll take a look at that type of track very soon.”
The technical adjustment continues: “We’re building control of the car and confidence in the steering, etc., and I feel like I can handle it now. The last part that needs the most work is high-speed braking and simply learning how to slow the car down most efficiently.”
2026: THE COMPLETE SEASON
The plan is set. The goal is clear. 2026 will mark Mio Olert’s debut in full-season Formula 4 racing.
“Yes, the goal and plan is F4 next year,” Mio confirms. “We haven’t made a decision on which team yet, but we’ll definitely do the CEZ Championship because we think it’ll suit me in my first year.”
Preparation has already begun on several fronts. “I’m starting to prepare myself both physically and mentally with the help of Formula Medicine, as they seem to be the leaders in that market.”
The CEZ (Central European Zone) Championship is an excellent testing ground for young drivers making the step from karting to cars – competitive, international, and with a calendar that allows for proper development throughout the season.
LESSONS CARRIED FORWARD
When you face mortality at six years old, everything that comes after is colored by that experience. But for Mio, the lessons from his battle aren’t just about courage on the track—they’re about wisdom off it.
“Yes and no,” he replies thoughtfully when asked if he carries those lessons over to racing. “I think I get the most use out of my past experience outside the car, in the pits, in the garage, etc. And for me, that’s equally important because if you don’t understand and do the right things off the track, you’re most likely not going to achieve a good result on the track.”
It’s a mature understanding of motorsport as a complete discipline – not just driving fast, but managing relationships, making intelligent decisions, and building the foundations for success away from the spotlight.
THE F1 DREAM: REALISTIC AMBITION
Every young driver is asked about Formula 1. It’s the pinnacle, the dream, the ultimate goal. But Mio’s answer reveals a wisdom that many drivers take years to develop.
“I’m a dreamer and I set high goals, but I’m also a bit of a realist at times,” he explains. “I believe in seizing opportunities when they arise, so I wouldn’t say I have a clear plan or path for the next five years. But I feel like I can make big strides and take on exciting things.”
His outlook is refreshingly open. “So if we end up in IndyCar, Hypercar, F2, or anything else at the highest level, it will be because we were in the right place at the right time and, most importantly, we talked to the right people. I envision seizing the opportunity when it presents itself and going all in for it.”
It’s not about having tunnel vision on a specific goal—it’s about being ready when opportunity strikes. And for someone who received Kimi Räikkönen’s racing suit as a child and is now managed by one of the most respected agencies in motorsport, those opportunities are starting to materialize.
A MESSAGE TO DREAMERS
We asked Mio what message he would like to send to young people facing their own battles, chasing their dreams, fighting against seemingly insurmountable odds.
His response is pure Mio Olert – practical, passionate and powerful:
“A dream, a goal, something you’re pursuing for some reason—try talking to people who have already done it or who can coach you. Ask questions and often think about why. But by far the greatest thing I believe is simply seizing the moment and the opportunity you find yourself in or face. Because if you don’t, surely nothing will happen. But if you seize the opportunity, you’re much more likely to succeed. Simple enough.”
He continues: “And if you do the right things, meet the right people, and have a little bit of luck sometimes, you’ll move forward and get closer to your goal.”
THE ROAD TO GO
As we conclude our conversation with Mio Olert, one thing becomes crystal clear: we have before us not just another talented young pilot with a compelling story, but a person who has learned, through the most difficult teacher possible, that life is precious, opportunities are finite, and hesitation is the enemy of dreams.
From the hospital wards of Umeå to pole position in Portimão. From watching Kimi Räikkönen race on television to receiving his racing suit. From uncertain survival to a certain purpose. Mio’s journey is still being written, and the future chapters promise to be extraordinary.
With Minardi Management guiding his career, a Formula 4 season on the horizon, and the kind of mental strength that only true adversity can forge, Mio Olert is ready for whatever comes next.
The karting world has seen what he can do. Soon, the single-seater world will too.
And somewhere in Söråker, Sweden, a family continues to rally around two racing brothers, building memories that will last a lifetime, proving that sometimes the greatest victories don’t happen on the track, but in the courage to keep racing forward, no matter what life throws at you.
Don’t take no for an answer. If you have the opportunity, take it. That’s the Mio Olert way.
