DOUBLE PODIUM FOR QUONDAMCARLO, GREAT WEEKEND AT COFTAP, SAMMALISTO SHINES IN BARCELONA

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A weekend full of adrenaline and big challenges for our drivers, competing on major national and international tracks. From the Italian Karting Championship in Franciacorta, to the fourth round of XGT4 Italy in Vallelunga, Formula 4 Italy in Barcelona, and the Slovakian stage of the Champions Of The Future Academy Program, everyone showed talent, growth, and determination.

Between podium finishes, thrilling comebacks, prestigious victories, and clear signs of progress, each driver gave their all, confirming the commitment and consistency that define their journey. Now, the focus shifts to the upcoming events, starting with the much-anticipated FIA World Cup, a key turning point of the season.

Zack Zhu – DNF – Italian Karting Championship, Franciacorta (Italy)
After a short summer break, Zack returned to the track with great determination to take on the Italian Karting Championship in Franciacorta. The young French driver showed strong motivation and a desire to achieve a top result right from the start, but the weekend didn’t end as hoped. Despite the difficulties faced, Zack remains focused and determined: the goal now is to recharge ahead of the next crucial challenge. Next weekend, he will line up for the FIA World Cup at the Cremona circuit, a decisive race in his season. Zack and his team are ready to give their best, fully aware that every detail will matter in the pursuit of a strong result.

Manuel Quondamcarlo – XGT4 Italy, Vallelunga (Italy)
RACE 1: P2
RACE 2: P2
A stellar return to the track for Manuel Quondamcarlo, racing at his home circuit of Vallelunga for the fourth round of the XGT4 Italy championship. The young Roman driver, born in 2007, had an extremely positive weekend, capped by a double podium thanks to solid performances and high-level stints. From the first sessions, Manuel proved competitive, interpreting the track well and maintaining a steady pace. Despite limited preparation mileage, he was fully ready, showing maturity and strong race management skills.
The double podium confirms Quondamcarlo’s growth and underlines his determination to establish himself as a consistent contender in the championship.

Benjamin Westwood – Champions Of The Future Academy Program – Slovakia Ring (Slovakia), OKN-Junior
RACE 1: P5
RACE 2: P8
The first of four drivers competing in the Champions Of The Future Academy Program, Benjamin Westwood, took part in the OKN-Junior category. The young talent showed his competitiveness from free practice, staying among the frontrunners. In qualifying and races, he faced some challenges that prevented him from fighting for the podium, but he still kept a strong pace, consistently around fifth and sixth place. By the end of the weekend, he scored a solid fifth place on Saturday and an eighth place on Sunday, results that highlight his growth and maturity at this stage of the season. The next goal is the FIA World Cup in Cremona, a key event in his journey. After this performance, expectations remain high, with the certainty that Benjamin will give his best on such a prestigious stage.

Julia Angelard – Champions Of The Future Academy Program, Slovakia Ring (Slovakia), OKN-Junior
RACE 1: P11
RACE 2: P6
The second driver for the Champions Of The Future Academy Program, Julia Angelard, faced the OKN-Junior weekend with determination. The young Polish driver started with positive feelings in free practice, encountered some difficulties in qualifying, but reacted with great character in the heats. Her comeback performances were among the most impressive of the weekend, culminating in a strong final where she finished 11th. On Sunday, Julia excelled again, securing a remarkable P6. A result that confirms her progress and her ability to remain focused and competitive in the most delicate moments. Her growth compared to the start of the season is evident and suggests more success in the upcoming FIA World Cup in Cremona, where she will arrive confident and determined to raise the bar even higher.

Vanesa Silkunaite – Champions Of The Future Academy Program, Slovakia Ring (Slovakia), OKN-Senior
RACE 1: P4
RACE 2: P7
The penultimate driver to hit the track for the Champions Of The Future Academy Program, Vanesa Silkunaite, enjoyed a very positive weekend at the Slovakian circuit. The young Lithuanian driver started strong with an excellent P2 in qualifying, confirming her pace with consistently top performances in the heats. In the final, Vanesa narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth in Race 1. On Sunday, she started P6 and ended in seventh place. These results clearly reflect her growth and maturity, especially after the challenges of recent races. This weekend’s outcome confirms her steady progress, and she now approaches the season’s final events with confidence, determined to turn improvements into even greater results.

Markas Silkunas – Champions Of The Future Academy Program, Slovakia Ring (Slovakia), OKN-Senior
RACE 1: P1
RACE 2: P4
An exciting weekend for Markas, the standout performer of the Slovakian round of the Champions Of The Future Academy Program. The young driver once again proved his talent, starting with pole position in Race 1 and turning it into a splendid victory, thanks to perfect rhythm and race management. In Race 2, he faced some difficulties but still finished close to the podium after a solid performance. This result allowed him to bounce back after a less brilliant previous weekend and reaffirm himself as one of the key contenders in the category. The win in Race 1, combined with his consistency across the weekend, confirms Markas’ strength and reliability as he heads into the next races with great confidence.

Luka Sammalisto – Formula 4 Italy – Barcelona
RACE 1: P5
RACE 2: P6
RACE 3: Cancelled
An intense weekend for Luka Sammalisto, back in action in the Italian F4 Championship at the Barcelona circuit. After a tough qualifying, the young Finnish driver fought back with determination, showing his talent in the races. In Race 1, Luka produced a thrilling comeback to finish in fifth place, while in Race 2 he secured sixth with another strong performance. Race 3, however, was cancelled due to heavy rain that made the Spanish track undrivable. The overall balance of the weekend is positive: Sammalisto showed character and composure, not letting early difficulties affect him. Now, his focus is on the next round at Misano from October 10th to 12th, where he will be determined to continue his progress and target new strong results.

Author: Gabriele Bovio

VERSTAPPEN DOMINATES THE STREETS OF BAKU, SAINZ TAKES A SURPRISE PODIUM

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Max Verstappen wins the Baku GP, dominating from the very first lap after securing pole on Saturday. Sainz, after an outstanding qualifying performance, grabs the podium for Williams. Strong race also for Mercedes, with Russell finishing just behind the Dutchman and Antonelli showing clear progress. Ferrari disappoints, finishing only eighth and ninth. Lawson, after his P3 in qualifying, collects crucial points for the Constructors’ Championship. McLaren suffers a debacle with Piastri crashing and Norris unable to take advantage of the opportunity to close the gap in the drivers’ standings.

GIOVANNI’S COMMENT
Yet another race that failed to deliver much excitement beyond the opening laps. Several DRS trains, Verstappen dominating from start to finish, strategies and tyre management dictating the outcome—this is today’s Formula 1.

Verstappen takes home an incredible win that doesn’t quite put him back in the title fight, but certainly spices things up for the two McLaren drivers, who were disappointing today. Tsunoda finally bags points, valuable for the Constructors’ Championship. Mercedes returns to the podium with Russell, despite his physical issues, while Antonelli delivers good points, even if he eventually gave way to his teammate.

McLaren disappoints for the second weekend in a row, with both drivers missing the podium. Piastri blundered first in qualifying and then in the race. Norris proved unable to rise to the occasion, squandering a golden opportunity to reignite the championship fight. The Brit fell short, allowing Verstappen to close the gap and giving Piastri some relief despite his string of mistakes in Azerbaijan.

Ferrari once again failed to deliver. The Prancing Horse started the weekend as “Friday champions,” only to disappoint again with Hamilton eliminated in Q2 and Leclerc hitting the wall on Saturday. In the race, both drivers were anonymous throughout the 51 laps.

Alpine’s disastrous campaign continues. Colapinto wrecked another car in qualifying, while Gasly tried to salvage something but with no success. In the race, both cars were invisible, stuck at the back of the pack. Bortoleto continues to grow, narrowly missing the points and finishing ahead of Hulkenberg who, after his Silverstone podium, seems unable to find the right feeling with his car.

Racing Bulls scored valuable points, with Lawson finally in the spotlight. The New Zealander pulled off a miracle in qualifying by taking P3. In the race, he held off the field for half the distance before giving way to the two Mercedes. Still, it was a superb drive by the #30, who even managed to keep behind Tsunoda—the very driver who took his RB seat. Hadjar also scored points, though slightly overshadowed by his teammate’s performance.

Bearman impressed despite his lack of experience and especially after Saturday’s crash, which had dented his confidence going into Sunday. Ocon fought hard but couldn’t climb back up. Haas left Baku without points, but with an overall positive showing.

Aston Martin’s season of ups and downs continues. Stroll’s team struggled all weekend at this track. The hope remains that the investments made will bring fresh energy heading into 2026.

Finally, Williams. Sainz secured a podium that had been missing for years, pulling off a qualifying masterpiece and nearly taking pole. In the race, he confirmed the good work from Saturday, only yielding one position to a strong Mercedes. Albon failed to score points, largely due to a poor qualifying. The British team leaves Baku with mixed feelings, knowing Albon’s missed opportunity cost them, especially given the car’s strong pace this weekend.

Author: Gabriele Bovio

SPEC-RACING IN KARTING AND FEEDER FORMULAS: IS THE COMPETITION REALLY EQUAL?

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Providing the exact same equipment to all drivers on track has for many years served as a kind of guarantee that the difference on track comes only from the driver’s skills, since it is generally believed that driving talent becomes the main ingredient – with equal machinery – for a driver’s eventual progression to higher formulas. However, a closed system with very restrictive rules, not only in karting but especially in single-seaters, can hide some pitfalls. Let’s explore these with Giovanni Minardi.

If you think about it, FIA karting and Formula 1, the two extremes of the pyramid, are the only areas where competition is open in terms of chassis and engines: everything in between, speaking of single-seaters, involves racing cars entered with single-make criteria: same chassis, engine, and tires for all.

We know well that even though FIA karting is open to all, many drivers often start from a single-make series. Sometimes this happens for economic reasons, sometimes for ‘sporting’ reasons, right? Let me clarify: how does a single-make series work and what difficulties are encountered? How is it possible that having the same equipment (by regulation) as everyone else might turn into a racing disadvantage?
This is a very interesting topic because it touches the heart of driver development. Having the same equipment theoretically means leveling everyone and highlighting especially driving skills, sensitivity, and adaptability. That is certainly a positive, because it pushes young drivers to improve themselves without the excuse of inferior machinery. On the other hand, a single-make system also hides limitations. First, because final performance depends not only on the driver but also on the team’s work and the mechanic’s skill and experience: setup, interpreting regulations, managing tires and materials can make a big difference. So even with the same chassis and engine, levels aren’t always truly equal. Also, a too closed environment risks reducing the variety of technical solutions and the driver’s ability to adapt to different situations, which are crucial when moving up to more open and competitive categories like Formula 1.

Regarding karting, it’s true many start in single-make trophies. It’s often a choice linked to economics, because costs are lower and the organization clearer, or for sporting reasons, because these series teach managing pressure in very balanced championships. The difficulties arise when, despite having the same equipment, some teams or drivers exploit it better than others. In these cases, the “equality” becomes an illusion, paradoxically turning into a disadvantage for those without the same experience, resources, or ability to interpret the car. In summary: single-make championships are a useful step in growth, but it’s important that young drivers also experience open environments where both the driver and the ability to manage more complex technical cars matter. This balance really prepares them to climb the motorsport pyramid.

Single-make engine championships are born with the challenging goal of absolute technical parity and often create the conditions for a driver’s talent to emerge, even though there are external factors that can influence the results

Have you ever felt, during your many years on track, that having a better engine – for example, faster on the straights – can distort a race or series result and even hinder the very important scouting work?
This is a feeling I have had myself and everyone working on track knows it very well. In karting and junior formulas, a more powerful engine can significantly shift balances, especially on tracks where top speed matters. This can distort not only a single race result but an entire season, because sometimes a talented driver may not emerge simply due to a technical detail beyond their control.
From a scouting perspective, this is delicate. The goal of those watching young drivers isn’t to look only at results but to understand HOW the driver achieves them: their ability to handle pressure, consistency, approach to overtaking or difficult situations. If we only looked at lap times, we risk “losing sight” of real talent penalized by equipment. Therefore, those involved in driver selection must look beyond raw results, observe behavior on track, and compare performances in different conditions. A better engine can affect standings but cannot hide pure talent, which in the long run always finds a way to emerge.

Do similar situations happen in single-make championships? Is this reasoning applicable to all single-make series or only some? How would you evaluate emerging ‘arrive and drive’ formulas, staying on the theme of equal competition?
Yes, this can happen in single-make championships as well. Although all have the same equipment by regulation, there are always small variables: engine prep, tire management, setup attention, but also something as simple as having a fresher chassis or less “stressed” engine. All these can add up to make a difference. We can say total equality is more a goal than an absolute reality.
This varies depending on the championship. Some single-make series are very controlled, leaving minimal variation margins, so differences remain small; others allow more practical discretion. That’s when a driver may pay more than deserved despite the “same vehicle for all” rule.
Emerging ‘arrive and drive’ formulas are interesting because they aim to reduce every technical variable: the driver arrives, finds ready-to-race equipment, and competes. This makes the contest even more focused on driving, concentration, and adaptability. Of course, there are limits – the equipment can rarely be perfectly identical – but the core concept is sound: shifting attention to the driver rather than the prep team. Ultimately, the true challenge of these systems is simple: not to guarantee absolute equality, which is impossible, but to create conditions where driving talent truly emerges without being drowned by technical or economic contexts.

New championships based on the “arrive and drive” format minimize every technical variable, as the vehicles are identical to each other (chassis, engine, and technical support), even though in motorsport, for essentially technical reasons, it is very difficult for the equipment to be ‘perfectly’ identical

Among all the technical inspection systems you have seen over the years, which do you consider most effective? On one hand, it’s right that karting tries to reduce costs, and single-make was born from that primary goal, but on the other, it risks becoming an excuse to create categories that are only cheaper on paper, where less skilled drivers with more material can win titles that complicate the work of those seeking true talent rather than just race winners. What do you think?
Over the years, I have seen various technical inspection systems. The most effective are definitely those that go beyond random checks and adopt rigorous, frequent procedures. For example, cross-checks on engines and carburetors, sealing, or random component extractions for post-race review. These methods, if applied consistently and transparently, minimize grey areas and provide better sporting fairness guarantees.
The problem is often that reducing costs through single-make remains theoretical. In practice, some categories become economically affordable only on paper, where those with more resources still make the difference by having more chassis, engines, and spares. In these cases, the promise of equality fails, making the category fertile ground to distort not only results but also talent perception.
This greatly complicates scouting work. A title won where equipment plays a leading role doesn’t always represent the driver’s true value. For those like me observing young drivers for progression to higher formulas, it’s crucial to look beyond results and see how they’re achieved: behavior on track, adaptability, maturity in hard situations.
In short, technical regulations and inspections must serve the sport, not be an excuse. Because the true mission of formative categories is not just to declare winners but to identify and nurture real talent.
One of the main stepping-stone championships after karting is the Italian F4, where drivers race with the Tatuus F4-T421 chassis, the Abarth 1.4 Turbo engine producing 160 horsepower, and Pirelli tires, all equal for every driver, although often the number of test sessions done outside the races can make a difference in race performance

Moving to the next step, from F4 to F2, regulations become even stricter: on one hand, you might feel there is nothing better than a championship with identical cars to bring out the best, but often this doesn’t really happen, so titled and winning drivers in junior formulas then struggle in professional contexts. Sure, the team’s work matters, but seeing teams become a ‘guarantee of victory’ sometimes seems paradoxical, doesn’t it? If drivers must make the difference and cars are the same, what prevents these categories from being truly selective and bringing only the best to the top?
It’s true that theoretically a series like Formula 2 should represent meritocracy at its highest: same cars, engines, tires, no technical excuses. In practice, it’s not always so. The main reason is that even with equal machinery, the team’s work is decisive: setup management, race strategy, ability to read regulations better. This causes some teams to effectively guarantee victory, so final results don’t always purely reflect driver talent.
The paradox is here: a system designed to be selective risks shifting the balance from driver to team. It’s no accident that some winning drivers in lower formulas struggle in more competitive environments where not only driving skills but also working in highly professional, resource-different teams counts.
The truth is these intermediate categories select, yes, but not always exclusively on talent. A young driver lucky enough to join a top team has much higher chances to shine; conversely, those in less competitive structures risk staying in the shadows even with great qualities.
That’s why I say the path to the elite can’t rely only on junior titles. You must deeply analyze performances, understand the context, and see how a driver reacts when not fully supported. Only this way do you distinguish true champions from “system winners”.

MAYA WEUG: CHASING THE DREAM OF FORMULA 1

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In the male-dominated world of motorsport, young women are starting to make their voices heard louder than ever before. Among them is Maya Weug, the first female driver to join the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy, who is now competing in the F1 Academy. At only 19 years old, she is not just driving fast cars — she is driving change, inspiring a new generation of girls to believe in their place on the track.

“I started racing when I was 7 years old, so I’ve been chasing my dream in motorsport for quite a while now.”

Facing challenges every day
When asked about the biggest challenge of her journey, Maya explains:
“Every race presents a new challenge to me; finding the right setup, the perfect feeling in each corner, and the best strategy for qualifying and the weekend ahead. Motorsport is a sport where you learn something new every day, which keeps us constantly on our toes to get the most out of every situation.”

The passion for racing
What she loves most about her role is crystal clear:
“I love everything about racing, especially driving, and the feeling of qualifying on new tires is amazing. The racing itself, the battles and overtaking, always gives me an extra kick.”

Looking up to role models
Like many young drivers, Maya had female role models in the sport:
“When I started karting, I always looked up to Marta Garcia and Beitske Visser. They were already competing internationally when I was a few years younger, and I wanted to reach their level.”

A message to young women
To all those who dream of joining F1 but doubt themselves, Maya has a powerful message:
“Just follow your dream, work hard, and keep pushing every day. In the end, you have to do what you love most without worrying too much about what others say.”

Making the paddock more inclusive
If she could change one thing in the paddock today, Maya is clear:
“I would love to see even more girls in the paddock! Since I started karting, the number of girls has already increased, which is fantastic. But the more girls we can have in the paddock—not only as drivers, but also as engineers, mechanics, and in all other roles in motorsport—the better it will be for the sport as a whole.”

Defining girl power in motorsport
For Maya, girl power is all about “showing what we’re capable of, being determined and always working hard to achieve our goals.”

Preparing mentally
Behind the scenes, mental preparation plays a huge role in her performance:
“I work a lot on the mental side to make sure I can perform under high-pressure situations. Simulator work is key, we spend at least 2 full days on the simulator ahead of each test or race to be fully ready and prepared ahead of every possible scenario during the race weekend.”

Breaking misconceptions
According to Maya, one of the biggest misconceptions about her work is that people don’t realize the effort beyond the races:
“I think many people don’t realize how much work goes on between races and off-track. I’m in the gym or training almost every day to stay physically prepared. There’s also a lot involved in finding partners and sponsors to keep racing. Plus, the travel is intense, just this year, I’ve already had over 60 flights, to go to the tracks, to the simulator, for training or for events. The year is super busy off-track, and we keep pushing hard every day to perform on race weekends.”

A dream that never fades
And her biggest dream?
“My dream since I was a little girl has been Formula 1. I take everything step by step and year by year, working to get closer to it. Ultimately, my goal is to become a professional racing driver and inspire more young girls to start racing.”

Conclusion
Maya’s words reflect more than ambition — they carry the determination of a whole new generation of women entering motorsport. With her resilience, passion, and vision for a more inclusive paddock, she is proving that talent knows no gender.

Her story is still being written, but one thing is already clear: Maya Weug is not only racing for herself — she is racing for every young girl who dares to dream of Formula 1.

BERGONZINI CHIUDE IL CAMPIONATO ITALIANO GRAN TURISMO ENDURANCE AL MUGELLO CIRCUIT CON UN PODIO

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Mugello, 14 settembre 2025

Ultima gara di stagione intensa per Matteo, che ha concluso il Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo Endurance al Mugello con un terzo posto di classe, centrando il podio nell’ultimo appuntamento dell’anno. Un risultato positivo che, però, non è bastato a colmare il distacco in classifica generale, chiusa con un quarto posto finale.

Il weekend è iniziato con le prove libere del venerdì, dove Matteo e i suoi compagni di scuderia hanno lavorato sul setup per adattare al meglio la Porsche 911 GT3 Cup alle caratteristiche della pista toscana. Non sono mancati momenti di difficoltà, soprattutto per trovare il giusto feeling tra i tre piloti, ma la situazione è migliorata già nella terza sessione del sabato mattina.

La qualifica ha visto Matteo brillare: il suo miglior giro lo ha portato vicino ai diretti avversari, permettendo all’equipaggio di strappare la terza posizione di partenza nella propria classe, subito davanti alla Ferrari rivale diretta per il campionato.

La gara è stata combattuta e tutt’altro che semplice. La strategia, costruita sull’eventuale ingresso della safety car, non ha pagato. Nella prima parte, i compagni di squadra hanno faticato a tenere il passo, perdendo terreno dai primi. Quando è salito in macchina, Matteo ha spinto subito al massimo, recuperando tempo e posizioni fino a riportarsi in lotta per il podio. Nel suo ultimo stint, con un passo costante e incisivo, ha conquistato la terza posizione finale.

«Sono contento di aver recuperato e di aver portato la macchina sul podio – racconta Matteo –  Abbiamo dimostrato che il potenziale c’era e che, quando ho potuto spingere, il passo era competitivo. Il podio al Mugello è stata una soddisfazione, anche se resta un po’ di rammarico per il campionato».

Il bilancio della stagione porta con sé emozioni contrastanti: soddisfazione per essere stati costantemente competitivi e aver lottato per il titolo, ma anche la consapevolezza che alcuni episodi hanno pesato sul risultato finale. Dopo il buon risultato di Monza, dove l’equipaggio era arrivato secondo in pista ma ha dovuto scontare una penalità di un secondo che li ha relegati al terzo posto, anche la gara di Imola ha lasciato l’amaro in bocca: in lotta per la vittoria e al comando fino a sei minuti dal termine, Matteo ha iniziato ad accusare un problema tecnico che lo ha costretto a cedere la prima posizione. Scivolato in seconda piazza, all’ultimo giro la vettura si è fermata definitivamente, impedendogli di vedere il traguardo e lasciando in dote pochissimi punti. Un episodio che ha inciso in maniera decisiva sulla classifica finale.

«Se penso che per tutto il campionato siamo stati sempre vicini alla vetta e che la differenza l’hanno fatta pochi punti, un po’ di amarezza c’è – spiega Matteo –  allo stesso tempo sono felice di questo percorso: era il mio primo anno completo con una GT, dopo il passaggio dalle vetture TCR. Ogni gara ho imparato qualcosa in più e la crescita è stata evidente».

La stagione 2025 si chiude quindi con un quarto posto in campionato, un podio nell’ultima gara e tanta voglia di ripartire. Matteo ringrazia partner e sponsor che lo hanno accompagnato in questo percorso, il suo team SP racing  e Minardi Management per il supporto costante.

Ora è tempo di guardare avanti: il lavoro verso il 2026 è già iniziato, con l’obiettivo di tornare in pista ancora più forti e competitivi.

JULIA ANGELARD READY TO FIGHT AT SLOVAKIA RING

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  • The fourth round of this year’s Champions of the Future Academy season is upon us. The competition, originally scheduled for Hungary’s Pannonia Ring, will now take place this weekend on the karting circuit of the Slovakia Ring.
  • Among the competitors who will compete for the best result less than 40 km from Bratislava is 13-year-old Julia Angelard.
  • Teenage Polish girlAfter a sensational second place during the previous COTFA round, she is optimistic about the competition ahead of her on the track.

After a three-month break, drivers competing in this season’s Champions of the Future Academy series are returning to competition. Originally scheduled for the Hungarian Pannonia Ring, the fourth round will take place in a few days under slightly different circumstances – at the Slovakia Ring circuit in Slovakia, located less than 40 kilometers from the capital of southern neighbours of Poland. Among the drivers taking to the track is Julia Angelard, who achieved a fantastic second place in the previous COTFA round at the Pista Azzurra circuit in Jesolo.

First of all: learning
Located on the Slovakia Ring, the karting track, part of the Slovak Karting Center, offers a 1,172-meter-long track running counterclockwise. The track is 7 meters wide, with a 10-meter-wide start straight. The main straight is 220 meters long, of which 115 meters is the distance from the start/finish line to the first turn. The facility itself allows for five track configurations.

Champions of the Future Academy is an international karting series supported by the F1 Academy. Thanks to this, Julia Angelard had the opportunity to meet and talk with Susie Wolff during the last round in Jesolo. The Polish teenagerShe’s optimistic about the upcoming weekend and, as she admits, is looking forward to new experiences that will undoubtedly pay off in the near future. This is especially true given that the upcoming race weekend will be the last in the series calendar held in Europe – the next two rounds will take place in the Emirates.

Julia Angelard: a new track means new challenges
“For me, like for most of the field, the Slovakia Ring is a completely new track that unexpectedly appeared on this year’s calendar. And a new race track always brings new challenges – on the one hand, it’s an opportunity to capitalize on my rivals’ mistakes, but on the other, you never know what to expect. I can’t wait for the first practice sessions to find the perfect track for me as quickly as possible and fight for a podium place again. Above all, however, I intend to treat this weekend as a valuable lesson for the rest of the season,” admits the driver, who will head to Cremona for the FIA ​​Karting World Cup immediately after the Slovakia Ring round.

Schedule of the racing weekend at Slovakia Ring
Friday, September 19, 2025
09:50 – Run in (15 min)
11:10 – Free Practice 1 (12 min)
12:40 – Free Practice 2 (12 min)
14:40 – Free Practice 3 (12 min)
16:10 – Free Practice 4 (12 min)

Saturday, September 20, 2025
09:00 – Non Qualifying Practice (10 min)
10:05 – Time Qualifying (6 min)
11:20 – Qualifying Heat 1 (10 laps)
13:00 – Qualifying Heat 2 (10 laps)
15:00 – Final (20 laps)

Sunday, September 21, 2025
09:00 – Non Qualifying Practice (10 min)
10:05 – Time Qualifying (6 min)
11:20 – Qualifying Heat 1 (10 laps)
13:00 – Qualifying Heat 2 (10 laps)
15:00 – Final (20 laps)

SJOSTRAND MAKES HER DEBUT IN SINGLE-SEATERS, BATTLES IN KRISTIANSTAD FOR THE FIA KARTING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. PODIUM IN THE SEASON FINALE FOR BERGONZINI

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Another weekend of racing for our drivers. This weekend marked Milla’s first time in a Formula 4 single-seater. The young Swede did an excellent job, finishing twice in the top ten. In karting, it was a challenging weekend in Kristianstad, Sweden, with four drivers competing in the FIA Karting World Championship. Finally, it was the last race of the season for our Matteo Bergonzini in the Italian GT Endurance Championship.

Milla Sjostrand – Formula 4 Nordic – Padborg Park, Denmark
RACE 1: P10
RACE 2: P13
RACE 3: P10

A fantastic debut in single-seaters for Milla Sjostrand, competing in the Formula 4 Nordic Championship at Padborg in Denmark. The Swedish driver immediately showed she felt comfortable, despite it being her first time. Across the three races, she displayed great speed, allowing her to score her first points.
Milla made an excellent debut, finding the right feeling and speed from the very first sessions. For her, this is just the beginning, and with this pace and determination, new opportunities to prove her worth will soon arrive.

Nilas Malik – DNQ – FIA Karting World Championship – Kristianstad, Sweden – Junior Category
Nilas Malik was the first driver to take to the track in Kristianstad, Sweden, for the FIA Karting World Championship. Despite good race pace and speed, the young driver was unable to qualify for the final. Some penalties compromised his final result, preventing him from advancing into the decisive stages of the weekend.
This closes an important chapter of Nilas’ season, in which he nonetheless gained valuable international experience. All focus now shifts to the upcoming IAME Warrior Final, a key event to relaunch and return to fighting for top positions.

Vanesa Silkunaite – DNQ – FIA Karting World Championship – Kristianstad, Sweden – OK Category
Also on track in Kristianstad for the FIA Karting World Championship was Vanesa Silkunaite, competing in the OK category. The young Lithuanian driver showed great determination and speed, narrowly missing out on Super Heat qualification by just two positions.
Vanesa proved competitive in several heats, showing excellent race pace and the ability to consistently fight at the front. Missing out on the next stage leaves some regret, but at the same time represents an important step in her growth. Thanks to her grit and consistency, Vanesa will surely capitalize on this world-level experience and return to the track even stronger in the upcoming events.

Markas Silkunas – DNQ – FIA Karting World Championship – Kristianstad, Sweden – OK Category
The penultimate agency driver to take to the track in Kristianstad for the FIA Karting World Championship was Markas Silkunas. After a less-than-perfect qualifying, the young Lithuanian driver skillfully recovered positions in the following heats, showing great determination and speed. However, his race ended prematurely in the Super Heat: while battling for a spot in the final, contact with another competitor took him out of contention, putting an end to his comeback.
Despite the bitter ending, Markas once again confirmed his competitiveness even in top-level contexts like the World Championship. The experience gained and the performances displayed are an important building block in his sporting and personal development.

Vladimir Ivannikov – P22 – FIA Karting World Championship – Kristianstad, Sweden – OK Category
The last agency driver in action in Kristianstad was Vladimir Ivannikov. The young talent started the weekend on the right foot, delivering a strong qualifying performance and consistently running in the top ten during the preparatory heats. However, in the final, he was unable to capitalize on his earlier speed, despite having the potential to secure a top-10 finish. Vladimir still showed speed, determination, and the ability to fight at a high level. While the final result leaves some disappointment, he can take confidence from having made further progress in his development. The goal now is to move forward and turn the Kristianstad experience into positive energy for the future.

Matteo Bergonzini – P3 Class – Italian GT Endurance Championship – Mugello, Italy
The last race of the year for Matteo Bergonzini took place at Mugello in the final round of the Italian GT Endurance Championship. The Italian driver had a strong weekend, always running within the top five. A solid qualifying earned him P3 on the grid and, thanks to consistent and fast stints, he secured a valuable podium finish despite a few difficulties. With this result, Matteo closes the championship fourth overall, just shy of the podium. Despite the final standings, the season balance is highly positive: Bergonzini showed speed, consistency, and reliability, confirming himself as a leading contender in the category and laying important foundations for next season.

Author: Gabriele Bovio

VERSTAPPEN BEATS THE TWO McLARENS AT MONZA, LECLERC FOURTH

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Verstappen triumphed at the Monza Grand Prix ahead of the two papaya cars. Leclerc finished fourth, ahead of Russell and Hamilton. Strong performances from Albon and Bortoleto, both finishing in the points. Antonelli, despite a penalty, managed to secure a points finish. What made headlines, however, was McLaren’s decision to let Norris through, even though, after a team mistake in the pits, Piastri had taken second place.

GIOVANNI’S COMMENT
Once again, it was a race that didn’t offer much excitement. The Monza track doesn’t help in this sense, and apart from the opening laps, when Piastri pulled off a great overtake on Leclerc, the race unfolded in a fairly monotonous way.

Verstappen continues to prove he is phenomenal both in qualifying and in the race. The team and the Dutchman were flawless, with zero mistakes, also helped by McLaren’s less-than-perfect strategy. Tsunoda continues to disappoint, and I think by now Red Bull is used to seeing the Japanese driver score zero points.

McLaren once again on the podium with both drivers. Hats off for the way they handled the situation caused by Norris’s pit stop error. They deserve to win both championships, not only for having an incredibly fast car, but also for their driver management. Ferrari didn’t shine at Monza. Still, they bring home important points for the constructors’ championship.

The Silver Arrows once again saw Russell deliver a solid performance, always right behind the frontrunners and ready to capitalize on any mistakes. Antonelli, despite scoring points, is still under review. The Italian driver continues to be unconvincing, with yet another penalty and plenty of struggles. At Williams, Albon keeps adding points in the constructors’ standings. Sainz is starting to feel the pressure of constantly trailing his teammate. The Spaniard looked slightly nervous and made a few too many mistakes.

Bortoleto performed very well once again. The Brazilian continues to be the most in-form rookie. Hulkenberg’s retirement was unfortunate—based on his teammate’s performance, he likely could have fought for points. Racing Bulls scored thanks to a comeback from Hadjar. Lawson’s performance was colorless.

Haas couldn’t break into the top ten with Bearman, but he still delivered a strong race. Ocon didn’t show his best performance and drifted further from his teammate. Another disaster for Alpine: this time the French team finished outside the points with both cars. At the moment, the team led by Briatore is proving to be the weakest on the grid.

Finally, Aston Martin—hard to interpret. Stroll’s team remains inconsistent, with performances that vary drastically from one track to another.

Author: Gabriele Bovio

DIFFICULTIES AT THE COTF IN KRISTIANSTAD FOR SILKUNAS, SILKUNAITE AND IVANNIKOV

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The fifth round of the Champions Of The Future took place in Kristianstad. The past weekend turned out to be quite challenging for our drivers, who will certainly try to learn from what happened in order to come back stronger at the upcoming events.

Markas Silkunas – DNQ – Champions Of The Future, Kristianstad (Sweden)
A tough weekend for Markas Silkunas, who took to the track in Kristianstad for the fifth round of the Champions of the Future. After a difficult start, marked by several struggles and the inability to find the right pace, the young Lithuanian driver unfortunately did not manage to qualify for the final.
Despite the difficulties encountered, this round represents an important step in Markas’s growth path, as he continues to gain valuable experience at the international level. The focus is now on the next event, the World Championship, a crucial occasion to regain speed and return to competing at the highest level.

Vanesa Silkunaite – DNQ – Champions Of The Future, Kristianstad (Sweden)
It was also a challenging weekend for Vanesa Silkunaite, racing in Kristianstad for the fifth round of the Champions of the Future. After a difficult qualifying session, the young Lithuanian driver fought with determination to recover positions, but was unable to secure access to the Super Heat.
Like Markas, Vanesa faced several difficulties and could not find the right race rhythm. Despite numerous overtakes and a great fighting spirit, qualification slipped away, leaving disappointment at the end of the weekend. Still, this event represents a valuable experience in the young Lithuanian’s development path, and she is already looking ahead to the next challenge with renewed determination and the will to turn difficulties into opportunities.

Vladimir Ivannikov – DNQ – Champions Of The Future, Kristianstad (Sweden)
It was a complicated weekend as well for Vladimir Ivannikov, the last of the agency’s drivers competing in Kristianstad. Despite the challenges faced, Vladimir showed grit and resilience, narrowly missing out on the final by just two positions.
Even if the result was bittersweet, this race represents an important step in his growth path. Vladimir is ready to bounce back with determination, aware of the work done and aiming to regain the competitiveness required to achieve more ambitious goals, starting from his next race — the most important event of his season.

Author: Gabriele Bovio

MILLA SJÖSTRAND DRIVES NIGHT RACE WITH STEP MOTORSPORT

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The Swedish motorsport talent will make his race debut in Nordic 4 with STEP Motorsport at Padborg Park.

Four will become five when this year’s Night Race on Padborg Park is held next weekend. While the team’s four regular drivers fight for important championship points, they will be joined by a fifth driver. And she’s not just any driver.

Milla Sjöstrand is 17 years old and already has a remarkable track record in karting, having been part of the FIA Girls on Track: Rising Stars programme three times. Now her eyes are set on single-seater racing, and the debut Nordic 4 race will support the talent on her way to the next step: International Formula 4 and, later, F1 Academy.

  • We thrive on high ambitions backed up by hard work and serious endeavour. Milla and her team are very ambitious and have already achieved a lot, and I’m happy that we can be a step on the road to the bigger championships,” says Team Principal Morten Dons, who is looking forward to seeing the Swedish teenager on the track:
  • Milla has already had a training day with us, and she put in a great performance. I’m sure she’ll continue to do so when she’s back in the car for the Night Race, says Morten Dons.

The Night Race at Padborg Park will be held on 12-13 September and can be seen live on the Youtube channel Dansk Motorsport Live.