RUSSELL RETURNS TO WINNING, VERSTAPPEN IS BACK ON THE PODIUM, FERRARI LEFT WAITING

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The Red Bull Ring sees George Russell return to the top step of the podium. The British driver wins the Austrian Grand Prix after starting from pole position, delivering a mature and controlled performance while fending off Max Verstappen’s relentless pressure and the late charge from championship leader Kimi Antonelli.

Verstappen finishes second after another determined drive, while Antonelli completes the podium, limiting the damage in the title fight. It was a more difficult weekend for Ferrari, which showed promising pace over one lap but lacked consistency during the race.

Austria once again proves just how competitive this championship is: Mercedes returns to winning ways, Red Bull is back in contention, and Antonelli continues to score valuable points even on weekends that are less than perfect.

DAG Management Ratings
MERCEDES – 10/10
A virtually flawless weekend. Pole position, victory, and a double podium finish: the Brackley-based team is back at the front with a dominant performance, sending a strong message in the championship battle.
George Russell – A perfect weekend. He secured a brilliant pole position, managed the race flawlessly, and claimed a fully deserved victory, showcasing maturity, speed, and complete control throughout the Grand Prix.
Kimi Antonelli – After a few minor mistakes early in the weekend, he steadily improved to secure a hugely important podium finish. The result strengthens his championship lead and once again highlights his outstanding talent.

RED BULL – 8.5/10
A very positive weekend, although not enough to match a near-perfect Mercedes. The team collects valuable points and remains firmly in the title fight.
Max Verstappen – As always, he fought until the very last lap. With an aggressive yet intelligent race, he secured an outstanding second place, maximizing the result on a day when victory seemed out of reach.
Isack Hadjar – A clean and mistake-free performance. He delivered a solid result, demonstrating maturity and consistency throughout the race.

FERRARI – 6/10
The weekend looked promising after an encouraging qualifying session, but race pace proved to be lacking. Once again, Sunday raised more questions than answers.
Charles Leclerc – A strong qualifying performance raised expectations, but he was never able to find the pace to challenge the frontrunners during the race. A respectable drive, but well below expectations.
Lewis Hamilton – After the encouraging signs shown in Barcelona, this weekend was far less convincing. He struggled to find the right feeling with the car and completed a rather anonymous race weekend.

McLAREN – 6.5/10
A solid but unspectacular weekend. The team scored valuable points but never looked capable of challenging for a podium finish.
Lando Norris – A clean and consistent race, extracting everything possible from the package, although the pace wasn’t enough to fight for the top three.
Oscar Piastri – A below-par weekend compared to his usual standards. He never truly featured among the frontrunners and finished without making a significant impact.

RACING BULLS – 7/10
The team continues to demonstrate solid competitiveness and capitalized well on every opportunity.
Liam Lawson – A composed and error-free race. He managed every stage well and brought home a positive result.
Arvid Lindblad – He continues to impress with his maturity and speed. Every weekend adds valuable experience while confirming his enormous potential.

AUDI – 6/10
A satisfactory weekend, delivering a performance in line with the car’s current potential.
Nico Hülkenberg – A steady and mistake-free race. He extracted the maximum possible result without being able to take the next step.
Gabriel Bortoleto – He continues his development, showing increasing confidence and consistency with every race.

HAAS – 6/10
No standout performances, but both drivers delivered solid races.
Esteban Ocon – He made the most of an uncompetitive car. His experience and consistency helped minimize the damage.
Oliver Bearman – He continues to build on the progress shown in recent races. Growing in confidence and competitiveness with every weekend.

WILLIAMS – 5/10
A difficult weekend from every perspective, with the team never truly fighting for the points.
Carlos Sainz – A weekend to forget. He never found the right rhythm and remained well outside the positions that mattered.
Alexander Albon – He did everything possible, but the car simply wasn’t competitive enough to challenge for points.

ALPINE – 5.5/10
An anonymous weekend, without major mistakes but also without noteworthy performances.
Pierre Gasly – A tidy race but lacking any real spark. He struggled to find the pace needed to challenge for the points.
Franco Colapinto – He continues to gain valuable experience, focusing on long-term development. Every lap is another step forward in his learning process.

CADILLAC – 5.5/10
The project is still in its early stages, and there is plenty of work ahead.
Sergio Perez – Beyond his race result, his contribution to the car’s development remains crucial for the team’s growth.
Valtteri Bottas – A difficult weekend with few opportunities to shine, finishing below expectations.

ASTON MARTIN – 5/10
Another challenging weekend for a team still struggling with competitiveness.

Fernando Alonso – As always, he fought with great determination, but the car prevented him from showing his full potential.
Lance Stroll – An anonymous weekend, far from the points and without any significant signs of improvement.

TOP PERFORMER OF THE WEEKEND
George Russell – 10/10
Simply a perfect weekend. Pole position, flawless race management, and a commanding victory against world-class opposition. One of his most complete performances in recent years.

FLOP OF THE WEEKEND
Ferrari – 5/10
Qualifying had raised high expectations, but the race told a completely different story. Their pace was simply not enough to challenge Mercedes and Red Bull, leaving the feeling of another missed opportunity.

Next Stop: Silverstone
Mercedes heads to the British Grand Prix full of confidence after a convincing victory. Verstappen once again proves to be Antonelli’s main rival in the title fight, while the championship leader continues to defend his advantage with remarkable consistency. Silverstone will reveal whether this weekend marks a genuine turning point—or simply a one-off.

TEEN SENSATION: 13-YEAR-OLD RIVAAN IS INDIA’S NEXT BIG PROSPECT

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C. SANTHOSH KUMAR COIMBATORE, JUNE 28

At just 13, Rivaan Dev Preetham is already being spoken of as one of Indian motorsport’s brightest prospects. The Chennai boy, son of seven-time national motorcycle racing champion Preetham Dev Moses, underlined why he is regarded as a future star with a commanding display in the opening round of the Meco FMSCI National Championship at the COASTT Karmania in Coimbatore.

Making his debut in the highly competitive Junior Max category with a grid of 23 karts after graduating from the Mini class, Rivaan was unstoppable throughout the weekend. He topped qualifying, won both heats, dominated the pre-final by almost four seconds over his nearest rival, and then capped it off by winning the final despite an incident-filled race that saw multiple crashes.

As three ambulances rushed onto the track, medics attended to the drivers while marshals worked swiftly to clear the debris. A tense silence descended over the circuit as the remaining drivers returned to the pit lane under the red flag. When racing resumed, Rivaan kept his composure, producing a mature and controlled drive to take the chequered flag.

It was the perfect start to a new season in a career that has already been filled with success. Rivaan has won the national karting title in each of the last three seasons—Micro Max in 2023 and 2024 and Mini Max in 2025. He has also represented India at the prestigious Rotax World Finals, earning an impressive top-10 finish in Bahrain.

His performances on the international stage caught the attention of Minardi Management, the Italian outfit renowned for guiding young drivers towards professional racing careers through the Formula ladder.

The roadmap is now clear for Rivaan. “Once he graduates from karting, he will move to Europe to pursue Formula 4 and then slowly move up the ladder. We are expecting the transition to be seamless as he has already shown his potential at a World karting event. The association with Minardi will be of great help,” said his father Preetham.

During the national championship, Rivaan is mentored by former Formula 2 driver and multiple-time national karting champion Armaan Ebrahim, another key figure in his development. Armaan’s father Akbar Ebrahim, president of the FIA Karting Commission, believes Rivaan leads a promising generation of Indian racers.

“Rivaan is an outstanding talent, just like how his father Preetham was during his bike racing days. Preetham is also determined to see his son move up to the next level. Along with Rivaan, young talents such as Rehan Khan, Arshi Gupta and Rudrapratap Singh Shekhawat have it in them to make a successful career in motorsport,” said Akbar.

Preetham built his reputation as one of India’s finest motorcycle racers, winning seven national titles. Yet, despite his own success on two wheels, he chose a different path for his son.

“My father feels biking is too dangerous for me and there is more risk involved. I sat in a kart for the first time when I was eight, but now I don’t remember how I felt. But I think I slowly started liking it,” said Rivaan, who spends much of his spare time simulation racing.

For someone who circles the same track lap after lap, does karting ever become monotonous?

“No, not at all. I keep checking my lap time and how to improve on it. I also keep a tab on who’s following me closely by looking behind. A momentary lapse in concentration is enough to let my rival go past, so I focus as much as possible,” he said.

Behind Rivaan’s rapid rise is a demanding training routine. For the past couple of years, he has been pursuing open schooling to accommodate his racing commitments. Every day includes around three to four hours in the gym, with particular emphasis on strengthening his neck and core muscles under noted fitness trainer Ramji Srinivasan, who has worked with leading cricketers, tennis players and racing drivers.

Preetham says physical conditioning is as important as driving ability. “Even in karting, these kids experience G-forces while cornering. Apart from that, if you’re not fit, you will not be able to focus for a longer period. So it’s important to train every day. Improving your reflexes is important. The maximum speed of these karts is around 125 kmph,” he said.

While Preetham oversees every aspect of Rivaan’s career planning, his mother Ashrita Keshav travels with him to international races and manages his social media presence, making motorsport a true family pursuit.

RESULTS

  • Finals: Micro Max (12 laps): 1. Rudrapratap Singh Shekhawat (Leap Frog Racing, Gurgaon) 9:46.771; 2. Ayansh Patil (MSPORT, Kolhapur) +9.271; 3. Aarav Sureka (Rayo Racing, Mumbai) +9.493.
  • Mini Max (14 laps): 1. Jishnu Seralathan (Peregrine Racing, Bengaluru) 11:01.908; 2. Arshi Gupta (Leap Frog Racing, Faridabad) +0.251; 3. Rudrapratap Singh Shekhawat (Leap Frog Racing, Gurgaon) +0.289.
  • Junior Max (10 laps): 1. Rivaan Dev Preetham (MSPORT, Chennai) 07:35.631; 2. Hamza Murtuza (Crest Motorsport, Mumbai) +3.442; 3. Rehan Khan Rasheed (Momentum, Chennai) +4.385.
  • Senior Max (18 laps): 1. Rohaan Madesh (Peregrine Racing, Bengaluru) 13:44.845; 2. Eshanth Vengatesan (MSPORT, Chennai) +0.421; 3. Krish Gupta (Leap Frog, Mumbai) +2.038.

MONZA: UNA POLE POSITION CHE CONFERMA LA COMPETITIVITÀ DEL TEAM, MA LA GARA SI CHIUDE ANZITEMO

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Il weekend di Monza aveva iniziato a raccontare una storia importante fin dalle prime sessioni in pista. Il lavoro svolto insieme a SP Racing ha permesso di esprimere da subito un ottimo livello di competitività, confermato dai risultati ottenuti durante tutto il fine settimana.

Le prime due sessioni di prove libere si sono concluse al comando della classifica, mentre la terza ha visto l’equipaggio chiudere in seconda posizione. Prestazioni che hanno portato alla conquista della pole position nella classifica combinata dei tempi, ottenuta grazie alla somma delle migliori prestazioni dei tre piloti dell’equipaggio.

Un risultato particolarmente significativo considerando l’elevato livello della concorrenza e il fatto che il tempo complessivo permetteva di precedere l’intero schieramento delle due divisioni presenti in pista.

La gara era iniziata con ottime prospettive e con la consapevolezza di avere il passo necessario per lottare nelle posizioni di vertice. Purtroppo, al termine del secondo stint, un incidente ha compromesso definitivamente la corsa, costringendo la vettura al ritiro e mettendo fine anzitempo a un weekend che fino a quel momento aveva mostrato tutto il potenziale del team.

Rimane inevitabilmente il rammarico per un risultato che non riflette quanto espresso in pista. Allo stesso tempo, però, resta la soddisfazione per aver dimostrato ancora una volta velocità, preparazione e competitività su uno dei circuiti più iconici del panorama internazionale.

Un ringraziamento speciale va a tutto il team SP Racing per il lavoro svolto durante il weekend. La vettura si è dimostrata veloce e competitiva fin dai primi giri, permettendoci di essere protagonisti in ogni sessione.

Un ringraziamento va anche ai miei compagni di squadra, che hanno contribuito in maniera determinante al risultato ottenuto in qualifica. In una formula in cui la griglia viene stabilita dalla somma dei tempi dei tre piloti, ogni prestazione diventa fondamentale e la pole position conquistata è stata il frutto di un lavoro collettivo e di un equipaggio capace di esprimersi ad alto livello per tutto il weekend.

Vorrei ringraziare tutti i partner che continuano a credere nel nostro progetto sportivo e che ci accompagnano in questa stagione. Il loro supporto rappresenta una componente fondamentale del nostro percorso e una motivazione in più per dare sempre il massimo in pista.

Un ringraziamento speciale va anche a tutti gli appassionati, agli amici e agli ospiti che sono stati presenti a Monza durante il weekend di gara.

Le gare del Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo (CIGT) 2026 sono visibili in diretta TV su Sky canale 228 (tramite l’emittente ufficiale ACI Sport TV) e in streaming gratuito attraverso diversi canali web ufficiali. Piattaforme Satellitari e TVSky: Canale 228 (ACI Sport TV, visibile per tutti gli abbonati al pacchetto Sky). TivùSat: Canale 52 (versione in chiaro del canale federale).Rai Sport: Canale 58 del digitale terrestre (trasmette repliche e sintesi delle gare nei giorni successivi all’evento). Su YouTube puoi vedere in diretta streaming e gratis tutte le gare del Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo 2026 tramite due canali principali: Canale Principale: ACI Sport TV su YouTube [@ACISportTVofficial], che trasmette i live streaming completi di tutte le sessioni e gare, oltre ai vari campionati italiani di contorno degli ACI Racing Weekend. Canale Dedicato: Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo su YouTube [@CIGranTurismo], incentrato specificamente sulla categoria con dirette, highlights e playlist dedicate ai round Sprint ed Endurance.

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MATTIA BUCCI SCORES SECOND SILVER MEDAL IN MONZA

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The young driver concludes the second Endurance round with another podium

The second round of the Italian GT Championship’s Endurance series was held in Monza from June 19th to 21st. The young driver from Pescara was only able to participate on Saturday due to his commitment to take the written tests for his state exam. Despite arriving just in time for qualifying, Mattia Bucci demonstrated his tenacity and knowledge of the circuit by securing the fastest time in the second session and fourth place on the grid.

The Agoglia-Bucci-Cremona trio then took on the three-hour race. The first stint was led by Alessandro Cremona, who drove the No. 163 Lamborghini well for twelve laps, managing to stay close to the top three. However, during the driver change, a fuel filler malfunction caused fuel to leak and sparked a massive fire at the rear of the car just after Bucci entered. The fire, though quickly extinguished, resulted in a loss of time of over three minutes, compromising the race. Nonetheless, after restarting from the pits, he continued the race with an above-average pace. At the end of his stint, his teammate, Cremona, felt ill due to the high temperatures in the car, preventing him from continuing with the following stints. Bucci therefore covered for Bucci, alternating with the other driver, Pietro Agoglia. The remaining duo fought back with determination throughout the race, putting together a prodigious comeback that took them to the second step of the podium, replicating the result achieved at Misano and consolidating their second place in the championship standings.

“It was a very challenging weekend given the very high temperatures, but we’re happy with the result we brought home at the end of the three-hour race,” said Mattia. “I thank the DL Racing team and my teammates for the work and dedication we put into the race. It’s not a foregone conclusion given the current situation, but we’re always aiming for something better in the upcoming events. If we continue like this, our time will come.”

The third race weekend of the Sprint series will take place at Mugello on the weekend of July 24-26. You can follow the events 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

DAG PROTAGONISTS ACROSS EUROPE: ANGELARD WINS IN POLAND, PODIUM AND VICTORY FOR ZANKI IN THE FIA CEZ KARTING CHAMPIONSHIP, SECOND PLACE FOR BUCCI AT MONZA

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A busy racing weekend for the DAG Management drivers, competing in karting and international championships across Europe. Once again, the team collected valuable results, including victories, podium finishes and strong performances in highly competitive environments. Particularly noteworthy were the successes of Julia Angelard, winner of the Polish Karting Championship round, and Mia Zanki, victorious in the FIA CEZ Karting Championship. Adding to these achievements was Mattia Bucci’s excellent second-place finish at Monza in the GT Endurance Championship, confirming DAG’s competitiveness also in the Gran Turismo categories. There were also some unfortunate circumstances that affected the final results of a few drivers, but the overall balance confirms the team’s steady growth and the increasingly consistent presence of its drivers at the front of the field.

Miguel Garcia-DNF-Italian GT Endurance Championship-Monza, GT3 AM Category
The Italian GT Endurance Championship returned to action with Miguel experiencing a bittersweet weekend. The driver had started the event in the best possible way, securing a solid eighth place in qualifying and immediately showing excellent pace. The feeling was positive and suggested a competitive weekend ahead, but during the race some technical issues with the car irreparably compromised the final result, undoing much of the work carried out throughout the weekend. There is disappointment for a great opportunity lost, especially because Miguel had demonstrated very encouraging speed during the early stages of the weekend and the ability to fight for important positions. Luck played a decisive role, but the performances shown remain a positive sign ahead of the upcoming rounds of the season.

Three adjectives to describe Miguel’s weekend:

Unfortunate – the potential was there for a top weekend, but technical problems affected the final result.
Fast – he showed excellent race pace and competitiveness in the early stages.
Promising – the feeling from the weekend confirms his growing level ahead of the next events.

Mattia Bucci-P33 (P2 Class)-Italian GT Endurance Championship-Monza, GT CUP 1st DIVISION PRO-AM
A positive weekend for Mattia Bucci at Monza, delivering a performance full of character despite a weekend packed with difficulties. The driver immediately showed all of his potential by securing pole position in class during qualifying, confirming himself among the fastest on track. However, the race proved far more complicated than expected. Technical issues with the car made race management difficult and, as if that were not enough, a teammate’s illness forced the crew to compete with only one driver change. To make matters even more challenging, a penalty seemed to compromise the final result completely. Despite all the difficulties, Mattia and the team reacted with great determination, delivering a high-level performance and securing a valuable podium finish in class. A result that rewards the work carried out and once again demonstrates the competitiveness, strength and value of the group, even in the most difficult moments.

Three adjectives to describe Mattia’s weekend:

Resilient – he reacted to a difficult weekend by bringing home an excellent second place.
Adaptable – capable of managing difficult conditions and unexpected situations during the race.
Consistent – he maximises the result even in less-than-ideal circumstances.

Matteo Bergonzini-DNF-Italian GT Endurance Championship-Monza, GT CUP 2nd DIVISION AM
Matteo had started the weekend in the best possible way, securing pole position in class and immediately confirming an excellent level of competitiveness. The driver was managing the race with great maturity, remaining among the leaders and showing excellent prospects for a strong result. Unfortunately, at the most important moment of the weekend, an accident ruined all the work done up to that point. The damage sustained by the car prevented the team from rejoining the race, forcing the crew to retire. There remains disappointment for a result that slipped away when the signs had been extremely positive, but also the awareness of having shown the speed and potential to be among the protagonists in the upcoming rounds.

Three adjectives to describe Matteo’s weekend:

Solid – he began the weekend with a convincing and well-structured qualifying performance.
Unfortunate – an accident at the key moment compromised a result that seemed within reach.
Promising – the pace shown provides very positive indications for the future.

Julia Angelard-Polish Championship-Tor Poznan, Junior OK Category
RACE 1: P5
RACE 2: P1
RACE 3: P1
RACE 4: P2
OVERALL: P1

Second round of the Polish Championship for Julia, competing in one of the most competitive events of the season. The young driver was one of the stars of the weekend, demonstrating speed, consistency and great maturity in every phase of the event.

Always consistently within the top five, Julia built her result race after race, eventually claiming victory in the second round with great determination. A success achieved thanks to a performance full of character, where she managed the pressure and prevailed over her rivals in the decisive moments. A display of great strength and personality from Julia, who continues to grow and establish herself among the leading drivers in the category, adding another important result to her racing career.

Three adjectives to describe Julia’s weekend:

Dominant – two victories and the overall win demonstrate constant superiority throughout the weekend.
Consistent – always among the front runners, she built her success race after race without any drop in performance.
Mature – she handled pressure and key moments with great composure, showing significant growth both on track and mentally.

Nilas Malik-P20-CEK Hyundai Spanish Championship, Valencia-Junior Category
Also racing in Valencia was Nilas Malik, author of a very positive weekend full of encouraging signs. The driver started the event with a solid sixth place in qualifying, immediately confirming an excellent level of competitiveness. Throughout the heats he continued to improve, eventually claiming a superb victory in the Super Heat, demonstrating speed, maturity and excellent race management. Everything pointed towards a strong final race.

Unfortunately, in the final a penalty compromised the outcome, relegating him to twentieth place and leaving a sense of disappointment considering everything he had shown during the weekend. Nevertheless, the overall balance remains positive for Nilas, who delivered high-level performances and once again confirmed his value in such a prestigious competition.

Three adjectives to describe Nilas’ weekend:

Very Fast – immediately competitive with strong qualifying and excellent pace.
Dominant – victory in the Super Heat confirmed his outstanding level throughout the weekend.
Penalised – a penalty in the final denied him a result he deserved on track.

Mia Zanki-FIA CEZ Karting Championship Round 4, Croatia-Junior Category
RACE 1: P1
RACE 2: P3
RACE 3: P3
OVERALL: P2

Last driver on track was Mia Zanki, competing in the fourth round of the FIA CEZ Karting Championship in Croatia, where she enjoyed an extremely positive weekend in a highly competitive environment. The driver started the event in the best possible way, immediately proving to be fast and competitive. During the weekend she also secured a splendid victory in Race 1, rewarding her excellent approach and the progress she has shown on track.

The following two races brought two more podium finishes, the result of a solid performance, although some details related to experience made the difference in the decisive moments.

Overall, it was a very encouraging weekend for Mia Zanki, who confirms her potential and her ability to consistently fight at the front, even in a championship of the highest level. A weekend that leaves excellent feelings and represents another important step forward in her development.

Three adjectives to describe Mia’s weekend:

Winning – she claimed victory in the FIA CEZ Karting Championship, confirming her potential.
Competitive – always fighting at the front in a very close field.
Improving – she continues to improve

Author: Gabriele Bovio

JULIA ANGELARD WINS IN POZNAŃ!

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The 14-year-old is the best in the second round of the Polish Karting Championships

 

  • The second round of the Polish Karting Championships, held on 19-21.06.2026 at the Poznań Circuit showed that Julia Angelard belongs to the top competitors in Poland.
  • The ORLEN Motorsport Academy student, after a fierce battle with her teammate, took victory in the Junior OK category, becoming the best competitor on the track and beating experienced drivers.
  • Thanks to her victory in Poznań, Julia moved up to second place in the overall Championship standings.

Patience, precision, composure, and consistency – each of these factors undoubtedly contributed to Julia Angelard’s spectacular and fully deserved victory last weekend at the Poznań Circuit. The fourteen-year-old MG Racing Team driver fought for victory until the very end, providing fans on the track and in front of the screens with an incredible experience.shows, reaching the finish line with a loss of only 0.019 seconds, but with the fastest time of the weekend (almost 0.4 seconds faster than the second competitor!), giving her additional points and victory in the Poznań round of the Polish Karting Championships.

Number one in the Junior OK category

Even the practice sessions showed that Julia Angelard was in excellent form, capable of fighting for the top positions. A solid qualifying session, which ended in fifth place and with a strong appetite for a much better result, confirmed the driver’s fitness. Julia began the first of Saturday’s races by attacking the front runners, but after a battle on the track, she was ultimately re-classified in fifth place. The second race at the Poznań Circuit brought the teenage Polish driver her first victory of the weekend, securing first place with a 1.819-second lead, securing a pole position for Sunday’s competition.

The third of the weekend’s four races was once again a showcase for the teenage driver’s skills, as she remained at the front of the pack throughout the race, never letting her competitors overtake her, and once again crossing the finish line with a lead of over 1.5 seconds over her rivals. The final race, which Julia entered as the leader of the individual round, was to decide the winner. On the third lap, the Polish teenager lost her race lead, but patiently chasing the front runners and finding her way behind the winner of the race not only resulted in second place in the final race of the competition on the Poznań Circuit, but also – as already mentioned – setting the fastest lap time, giving two additional points to the general classification – and thus victory during the second round of the Polish Karting Championships.

Julia Angelard: The most beautiful weekend of my life

“Winning a championship-level competition, especially in front of your home crowd, is certainly a dream for many competitors. It was the most beautiful weekend of my life – I want to dedicate this victory to my dad, not only on Father’s Day, but also to thank him for never giving up on me and for always being there for me, both on and off the track. Thank you!”– emphasizes the protégé of Minardi Management powered by Dag Ltd.

NON INNAMORATEVI DELLA REALTÀ SIMULATA MA USATE IL SIM PER PREPARARVI ALLA PISTA

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È l’avvertimento che lancia Dorothea Schulz, che lavora con Giovanni Minardi a un progetto di formazione piloti: per lei il simulatore va visto come una fase di addestramento dei corridori per migliorare l’efficienza

Dietro i piloti di Minardi Management powered by DAG Consulting c’è anche lei: Dorothea Schulz, co-artefice con Giovanni Minardi di uno dei progetti di sviluppo piloti più longevi d’Europa, ventuno corridori attualmente gestiti, di undici nazionalità, dal karting al GT. Ed è da questa posizione che il tema del simulatore e del virtuale la interpella con una forza che pochi nel paddock hanno ancora messo a fuoco.

«Il simulatore professionale non sostituisce la pista, ma la rende più efficiente», spiega. «Serve per preparare i circuiti, sviluppare memoria procedurale, accelerare il processo decisionale. Un ragazzo che lo usa bene arriva in pista con meno tempo necessario per adattarsi e con maggiore capacità di interpretare il comportamento della vettura».

Per chi gestisce carriere giovanili la questione è economica prima ancora che tecnica. «Il tempo in pista è limitato e costoso. Arrivare al weekend di gara avendo già interiorizzato layout, riferimenti, procedure e scenari di setup cambia enormemente la qualità del lavoro. E il dato è la parte più interessante di questo dialogo tra virtuale e reale: oggi i simulatori professionali consentono di lavorare su telemetrie, gestione gomme, traiettorie, scenari strategici».

Poi Dorothea frena un attimo: «La chiave è non innamorarsi del simulatore come “realtà perfetta”. Va interpretato come uno strumento di preparazione e analisi, non come replica assoluta della pista». La percezione fisica della vettura, le gomme che cedono al limite, il rischio vero: questo resta dominio del reale. C’è infine una dimensione su cui il virtuale sta lavorando in modo meno rumoroso, ed è l’accesso.

«Storicamente molte ragazze accumulano meno chilometri rispetto ai coetanei maschi, per ragioni economiche, culturali o semplicemente di opportunità. Il virtuale permette di aumentare tempo di guida ed esperienza in modo più accessibile. E crea un ambiente dove il dato è più neutrale rispetto ad alcuni pregiudizi ancora presenti nel paddock tradizionale». Niente illusioni. I colli di bottiglia veri — budget, continuità di programma, sponsor, accesso ai team — restano in piedi. Ma la direzione, per lei, è chiara: «Il punto non è chiedersi se il virtuale sostituirà il percorso tradizionale, ma come possa renderlo più aperto, meritocratico e accessibile rispetto al passato».

DAG SHINES ACROSS EUROPE AND THE WORLD: SILKUNAITE ON THE FIA ACADEMY TROPHY PODIUM, COOPER CLAIMS VICTORY IN RMC SA

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Another busy weekend for DAG Management drivers, competing in karting and formula racing across several international and national championships. Between the FIA European Championship, RMC, and ROK Cup Italy, the team experienced another important weekend. There were plenty of positive signs, with numerous drivers recovering multiple positions during races and demonstrating strong competitiveness even in the most challenging situations.

Benjamin Westwood – P78-FIA Karting European Championship Round 3, Mülsen – OKJ Category
It was a difficult weekend for Benjamin Westwood, who competed in Germany at another round of the FIA Karting European Championship.
The weekend got off to a challenging start due to wet track conditions, which did not suit his driving style and made it harder to find pace from the very first sessions. Despite the difficulties, Benjamin continued working closely with the team to improve his performance and recover ground throughout the event. In the following days, he showed determination and resilience, trying to climb the standings and return to contention. However, the comeback was not enough to secure a place in the Super Heats and Final, bringing his weekend to an early end.
The conditions at Mülsen represented a particularly demanding challenge for Benjamin, who had to adapt to a technical environment very different from the one that usually highlights his strengths. Although the desired result did not come, the weekend provided valuable experience ahead of future international events.

Julia Angelard – P76-FIA Karting European Championship Round 3, Mülsen – OKJ Category
A challenging weekend for Julia Angelard, who faced a particularly difficult event despite her commitment and determination to achieve a strong result. The young driver fought hard in every session, aiming to maximize her potential and remain in contention for the top positions. However, a series of difficulties throughout the weekend prevented her from performing at her best and securing a place in the Final.
The final result does not fully reflect the effort Julia showed throughout the event. Despite the obstacles encountered in various sessions, she continued searching for improvements until the final heat, maintaining a positive and fighting attitude throughout.

Maxime Noeppel – P65-FIA Karting European Championship Round 3, Mülsen – OKJ Category
A positive weekend for Maxime, whose performance highlighted speed, determination, and impressive recovery skills. After a difficult qualifying session, the young driver responded brilliantly during the heats, gaining numerous positions and earning his place in the Super Heat through merit and determination.
This display of character and competitiveness allowed him to climb the rankings and stay in contention with the category’s leading drivers. Unfortunately, at the most crucial moment of the weekend, a mistake compromised the work completed up to that point, preventing him from making the most of the opportunity he had earned and continuing his progress in the event.
More than the final result, it was Maxime’s reaction after a difficult qualifying session that stood out. His recovery through the heats and qualification for the Super Heat confirmed both his speed and his ability to bounce back from challenging situations.

Zack Zhu – P17-FIA Karting European Championship Round 3, Mülsen – OKJ Category
An outstanding weekend for Zack Zhu, who delivered a top-level performance and once again confirmed his enormous potential. Zack started the event with an excellent third place in class and ninth overall in qualifying, immediately establishing himself among the fastest drivers in the field.
During the heats, he encountered difficulties in two races, preventing him from achieving the results his pace deserved. However, in the Super Heat, he showcased all his speed, determination, and talent, producing a remarkable charge through the field by gaining ten positions and finishing third.
In the Final, Zack was once again among the frontrunners until contact in the opening stages dropped him to the back of the field. Refusing to give up, he responded with great determination, recovering seventeen positions and finishing seventeenth after a spectacular comeback.
One of the fastest drivers throughout the entire weekend, Zack proved he has the pace to consistently fight at the front. His recovery drive after the Final incident was yet another demonstration of both his speed and resilience.

Jason Kosmopoulos – P15-FIA Karting European Championship Round 3, Mülsen – OKJ Category
A very positive weekend for Jason, who delivered a solid and convincing performance that highlighted his continued development in every aspect.
Starting from a strong tenth position in qualifying, Jason maintained excellent consistency throughout the heats, combining aggression, intelligence, and maturity on track. Session after session, he remained competitive and successfully secured his place in the Final.
In the decisive race, he completed an impressive recovery, gaining seventeen positions and finishing fifteenth after a determined and well-managed performance. It was a result that rewarded all the work carried out over the weekend and his refusal to give up.
Jason’s performance was a true display of maturity, once again demonstrating character, mental strength, and increasing confidence in his abilities. These are highly encouraging signs for the remainder of the season.

Matteo Gallo – P73-FIA Karting European Championship Round 3, Mülsen – OK Category
A weekend of significant growth for Matteo Gallo, who delivered a convincing performance that leaves plenty of positives despite narrowly missing out on a key result.
The young driver missed qualification for the Super Heat by just one position, falling agonizingly short of a target that would have been fully deserved based on his performances throughout the weekend. Matteo stood out for his speed, determination, and mental strength, approaching every session with maturity and once again demonstrating his strong potential.
Although missing out by a single position is disappointing, it also highlights how close Matteo now is to the drivers who consistently occupy the top ten positions.

Eduardo Salamonde – P74-FIA Karting European Championship Round 3, Mülsen – OK Category
Eduardo Salamonde spent the weekend fighting back after a qualifying mistake immediately complicated his event. Despite the setback, the young driver remained determined throughout every heat, showcasing character, speed, and strong recovery skills.
Eduardo produced an impressive comeback during the heats, gaining numerous positions and climbing the rankings through solid and combative performances. His recovery ultimately fell just short of the goal, missing qualification for the Super Heat by only two positions.
While there is disappointment at narrowly missing out, Eduardo can take confidence from a weekend that demonstrated both performance and resilience. His hunger, determination, and ability to respond to adversity are all highly positive signs for the remainder of the season.

Vladimir Ivannikov – P14-FIA Karting European Championship Round 3, Mülsen – OK Category
An important Final result capped off an overall positive weekend for Vladimir. The young driver began the event with a strong qualifying performance, laying the foundations for a competitive weekend.
Throughout the heats, he consistently remained inside the top ten and demonstrated excellent pace in every session. In the Final, starting from twenty-second position, Vladimir delivered a determined recovery drive, gaining eight places to finish fourteenth after a strong and hard-fought performance.
Once again, Vladimir proved himself to be an extremely competitive driver capable of delivering his best regardless of circumstances. While the final result may not fully reflect the potential he showed throughout the weekend, his performances confirm that he is moving in the right direction and that bigger results are only a matter of time.

Nefeli Kosmopoulou – P65-FIA Karting European Championship Round 3, Mülsen, Germany – OK Category
A challenging weekend for Nefeli, who was forced to fight back from the outset after qualifying in twenty-sixth position.
Despite the difficult starting point, the young driver never gave up, approaching every heat with determination and continuously trying to gain ground. Thanks to her fighting spirit and determination, she secured a place in the Super Heat, a result that reflected the hard work carried out throughout the weekend.
Her comeback effort was ultimately not enough to secure qualification for the Final, but the overall performance remained positive. After a difficult qualifying session, reaching the Super Heat demonstrated Nefeli’s ability to respond to adversity while maintaining her competitiveness.

Vanesa Silkunaite – P3-FIA Academy Trophy Round 2, Mülsen – Senior Academy Category
Vanesa Silkunaite returned to FIA Academy Trophy action at Mülsen, proudly representing Lithuania in one of the most prestigious events of the season.
Her weekend was extremely positive, characterized by strong pace and competitiveness from the opening sessions. Despite encountering a few minor difficulties in qualifying, Vanesa consistently remained among the leading contenders and once again confirmed her quality on the international stage.
In the Final, she delivered her best performance of the weekend. After a difficult start that forced her onto the defensive, she produced an excellent comeback, gaining several positions thanks to outstanding race pace and flawless race management. Lap after lap, she climbed through the field to secure third place and a well-deserved podium finish.
This prestigious result rewards the work completed throughout the weekend and further confirms the Lithuanian driver’s talent. Vanesa once again demonstrated character, determination, and the ability to overcome challenges, transforming a difficult situation into an excellent podium finish.

Mia Zanki – P17-ROK Cup Italy Round 5, Jesolo – OKS Junior ROK Category
A weekend of mixed fortunes for Mia Zanki, who delivered a positive performance for much of the event.
After a solid qualifying session, Mia continued to show encouraging pace and competitiveness, working effectively with the team and building a strong foundation for the final day. However, Sunday did not go as planned.
Following issues during warm-up and a subsequent accident, it was no longer possible to recover the competitiveness displayed earlier in the weekend. This inevitably compromised the Final and prevented her from achieving the result that had appeared within reach.
There remains disappointment for an unfortunate conclusion that does not do justice to the work completed or the performances shown during the early stages of the event. Once again, Mia had to contend with unfavorable circumstances that limited the final result despite the potential she demonstrated on track.

Brodi Cooper Dowling – P1-RMC SA Karting Championship National Round 2 – Formula K – Junior Category
Victory for Brodi, the standout performer of the RMC SA Karting Championship. The young South African driver dominated the weekend, consistently running at the front from the very first sessions and demonstrating superior pace compared to his rivals.
Race after race, he built what was virtually a perfect weekend, culminating in a well-deserved victory. His driving was flawless—fast, precise, and always under control—allowing him to manage every phase of the competition and claim the win with authority.
This is a result of great value and an important confidence boost for Brodi. The victory arrives at the perfect time, especially with his upcoming debut in Italy, where he will have the opportunity to face a new competitive environment and continue his international development.

Author: Gabriele Bovio

MONZA CHIAMA: BERGONZINI E SP RACING PRONTI PER IL SECONDO ROUND DEL CANPIONATO ITALIANO GRAN TURISMO ENDURANCE

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Dopo l’appuntamento inaugurale di Misano, il Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo Endurance si prepara a vivere il suo secondo atto sullo storico circuito di Monza, uno dei tracciati più iconici e affascinanti del motorsport internazionale.

Per me ed i miei compagni di auto, Abbati e Deverikos sarà un weekend importante, affrontato con grande motivazione e con la voglia di riscattare un risultato che, nella precedente uscita, ci ha lasciato un po’ di amaro in bocca. Le prestazioni espresse hanno confermato il potenziale del pacchetto tecnico e della squadra, ma il risultato finale non ha rispecchiato completamente quanto avremmo voluto ottenere.

Proprio per questo arriviamo a Monza con ancora più determinazione. Nelle settimane successive a Misano il team “SP Racing” ha continuato a lavorare intensamente, raccogliendo dati ed esperienza anche attraverso altri programmi sportivi disputati in differenti campionati. Questo ci permetterà di valutare alcune nuove soluzioni tecniche durante il weekend, sfruttando al massimo le tre sessioni di prove libere previste.

Ogni minuto in pista sarà fondamentale per affinare il setup della vettura e preparare al meglio una gara endurance impegnativa come quella di Monza. L’obiettivo è chiaro: tornare a esprimere tutto il nostro potenziale e conquistare un risultato importante per la classifica di campionato.

Programma del weekend
Venerdì
* Prove Libere 1: 11:22 – 12:12
* Prove Libere 2: 15:12 – 16:12

Sabato
* Prove Libere 3: 08:30 – 09:20
* Qualifiche 1: 13:20 – 13:30
* Qualifiche 2: 13:56 – 14:06
* Qualifiche 3: 14:32 – 14:42

Domenica
* Gara Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo Endurance
* Partenza ore 15:00
* Durata: 3 ore

Vorrei ringraziare tutti i partner che continuano a credere nel nostro progetto sportivo e che ci accompagnano in questa stagione. Il loro supporto rappresenta una componente fondamentale del nostro percorso e una motivazione in più per dare sempre il massimo in pista.

Un ringraziamento speciale va anche a tutti gli appassionati, agli amici e agli ospiti che saranno presenti a Monza durante il weekend. Vi aspettiamo in circuito per condividere insieme un altro importante appuntamento della stagione.

Ci vediamo in pista.

Le gare del Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo (CIGT) 2026 sono visibili in diretta TV su Sky canale 228 (tramite l’emittente ufficiale ACI Sport TV) e in streaming gratuito attraverso diversi canali web ufficiali. Piattaforme Satellitari e TVSky: Canale 228 (ACI Sport TV, visibile per tutti gli abbonati al pacchetto Sky). TivùSat: Canale 52 (versione in chiaro del canale federale).Rai Sport: Canale 58 del digitale terrestre (trasmette repliche e sintesi delle gare nei giorni successivi all’evento). Su YouTube puoi vedere in diretta streaming e gratis tutte le gare del Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo 2026 tramite due canali principali: Canale Principale: ACI Sport TV su YouTube [@ACISportTVofficial], che trasmette i live streaming completi di tutte le sessioni e gare, oltre ai vari campionati italiani di contorno degli ACI Racing Weekend. Canale Dedicato: Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo su YouTube [@CIGranTurismo], incentrato specificamente sulla categoria con dirette, highlights e playlist dedicate ai round Sprint ed Endurance.

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A TEENAGE POLISH GIRL IS PREPARING TO STEP INTO CARS

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  • After another round of the FIA ​​Karting European Championship in Mülsen, Germany, Julia Angelard faces new challenges.
  • Before the teenage protégé of the ORLEN Motorsport Academy starts in the second round of the Polish Karting Championships, scheduled for this coming weekend at the Tor Poznań circuit, she has a number of other activities ahead of her.
  • In the coming days, the Pole will take part in meetings as part of the More Than Equal program, and then in tests with Ginetta cars at Blyton Park.

After competing on European circuits, 14-year-old Julia Angelard returns to Poland. Before that, however, the talented driver, part of the More Than Equal program, will participate in a series of meetings in Manchester, from where she will head to Wednesday’s Ginetta testing at Blyton Park. Only after these activities will she participate in the ORLEN Motorsport Academy.protégé will take part in the second of four rounds of this year’s edition of Karting Polish Championships, scheduled for the upcoming weekend at the Tor Poznań circuit.

From one championship to another

Julia Angelard has spent two weeks in Mülsen, Germany – first as part of the Champions of the Future series, and last weekend – as part of the next round of the FIA ​​Karting European Championship. Unfortunately, a close field and a less-than-successful qualifying session meant Julia narrowly missed out on advancing to the Super Heat, where a spot in the round’s final was at stake.

The Polish teenager is already thinking ahead, not just to the next race weekend in the Polish Karting Championship, but much further. The upcoming tests with Ginetta cars, organized by MTE, are another step in a long-term plan to facilitate the transition from karting to a higher level of competition – whether in Formula 4 or GT cars. The opportunities to test both these options in the near future will allow Julia Angelard to choose the best career path, considering her skills and development prospects.

Julia Angelard: Writing a New Chapter of My Story

“A year ago, we were very close to writing a new chapter in history as a pole-sitter in the Polish Karting Championship (KMP). This time, I have the opportunity to write a new chapter in my story as a driver – I’m already looking forward to the upcoming Ginetta tests, which may influence the future direction of my career and my move beyond karting. Of course, my thoughts are still on karting and the Polish Karting Championship, but I know that when planning a career, you have to look much further than the upcoming race. Keep your fingers crossed for me and come to Tor Poznań to cheer and give me a high five this weekend! Admission is free, so you can’t miss it,” emphasizes the Minardi Management powered by Dag Ltd. protégé.

Julia Angelard’s start schedule in the Polish Karting Championships

Saturday, 20.06.2026
13:00-13:06 – Qualifying training
14:55-15:15 – Race I (11 laps)
17:05-17:25 – Race II (11 laps)

Sunday, June 21, 2026
 09:50-09:58 – Warm up
12:25-12:45 – Race III (11 laps)
15:05-15:25 – Race IV (11 laps)