RECAP WEEKEND

The weekend has just come to an end, with five of our drivers hitting the track. Despite the challenges, they managed to showcase their full potential. It was an intense weekend, filled with challenges and great satisfaction, proving how these young drivers can turn every difficulty into an opportunity for growth.

Bagutti Pietro-NQ at WSK super master in Lonato, Cat. OKJ
The young Italian started his weekend with great satisfaction regarding the kart’s setup during Wednesday and Thursday. However, qualifying did not go as planned. During his flying lap, while setting excellent sector times, an issue in the third sector—of unknown nature—forced him to run wide in a corner, compromising his chances of starting from the front positions.

Despite an outstanding performance, recovering as many as ten positions, Bagutti finished the race in 20th place. Unfortunately, this result was not enough to secure a spot in the finals.

Although disappointed at not reaching his goal, Bagutti showed great consistency in the race. Now, the priority will be refining his qualifying performance, given the strong race pace he displayed.

Vladimir Ivannikov – P22 at WSK Super Master in Lonato, OK Category
It was a solid weekend for Vladimir Ivannikov, who finished his race in 22nd position. The OK category driver put in a strong performance throughout the weekend but was hindered by Sunday’s uncertain weather conditions, with intermittent rain proving less than ideal for him.

In the final, a collision with other drivers forced him to restart from the back of the pack. Despite the setback, he staged an impressive comeback, finishing in 22nd place.

Although he faced some difficulties in qualifying, Ivannikov managed to recover ten positions in the race, showcasing exceptional determination and strength. His potential is clear. With improvements in qualifying and greater consistency in the heats, we are confident that even better results will come soon.

Zack Zhu – DNF at WSK Super Master in Lonato, OKNJ Category
Zack Zhu delivered a strong performance, showing speed throughout the weekend and establishing himself as one of the main contenders for the podium. In the final, the team opted not to fit new tires—a decision that, in hindsight, did not pay off.

Despite this, Zhu managed to climb to sixth place but saw his result slip away in the final laps due to a chain failure.

Zack stood out as a podium contender due to his speed and continuous improvement. While a less-than-optimal technical choice and an unexpected mechanical issue affected his result, his overall performance remained outstanding. He has proven to have everything it takes to keep fighting at the top.

Julia Angelard – P12 at WSK Super Master Series, OKNJ Category
A stellar weekend for Julia Angelard, who made an impressive WSK debut by finishing in 12th place. Starting from P19 in qualifying, she secured a spot in the pre-final, where a well-executed strategy allowed her to climb through the field and finish fourth, earning her a place in the final.

In the last race, she lined up at the back of the grid with no expectations but one clear goal: to enjoy herself and achieve the best possible result. The outcome was a spectacular performance, as she gained an incredible 21 positions to cross the line in 12th place.

Julia’s debut was nothing short of explosive. From P19 in qualifying to a remarkable recovery in the final, the young Polish driver showcased exceptional race craft, intelligence, and determination. Her brilliant performance sets the stage for even greater achievements, especially with the upcoming Champions of the Future Academy Program in Portimão on the horizon.

Tariq Soofi – P1 at Rotax Max Challenge Bahrain, Micro Max Category
Tariq clinched victory at the Rotax Max Challenge in Bahrain, securing both the race win and the championship title. What began as a challenging day ended in a spectacular triumph for the young driver.

He wrapped up the weekend in style, overcoming early difficulties with determination and hard work to claim a well-deserved success. With the ROK Cup Italy on the horizon in Cremona and Franciacorta this summer, expectations for this rising champion are higher than ever.

Author: Gabriele Bovio