BENJAMIN WESTWOOD TO RACE IN THE IAME EURO SERIES WITH PANTANO RACING

/in /by

Our 12-year-old Maltese talent relies on Pantano Racing Team’s experience and competence to take on the IAME Euro Series, X30 Junior category. For Benjamin it will be an exciting season, where he can leave his mark on the international scene also in the Champions of the Future Academy Program, OKJ category.

Giovanni Minardi: «I’m very pleased to have managed to bring Benji in the Pantano Racing Team. I’m convinced that, thanks to Giorgio’s experience, Benji can grow a lot and improve many aspects, which will help him in every race he will take on this year. I’m also extremely excited to see him racing not only in Italy, but, by competing in the IAME Euro Series and the Champions of the Future Academy Program, he will have the chance to learn new circuits».

Benjamin Westwood: «I’m very excited to start the year racing with the Pantano Team. It’s going to be our first time competing in the IAME Euro Series, I’m really looking forward to the challenge!».

Giorgio Pantano: «I’m looking forward to starting to work with Benjamin. It’s a privilege to being able to support him in his growth process, and I’m happy to contribute to the achievement of success in international championships».

Author: Jacopo Rava

VLADIMIR IVANNIKOV JOINS BIRELART FOR THE 2025 KARTING SEASON

/in /by

Vladimir Ivannikov will race with Birelart in the 2025 karting season. The 2010-born driver from Moscow will make his debut in the OK category, a new challenge towards the big step to single-seaters.

In 2025, he will take on the CIK FIA European and World Championships, the Champions of the Future and the WSK Super Master Series and Final Cup.

Giovanni Minardi: «It was one of the easiest and quickest negotiations I have ever done in more than twenty years of my career. Everyone wanted to work together, so the deal was concluded in a short time».
«I’m glad that Vladimir can start with a new program and a new team. We know we must work hard, because he’s a rookie in the category, but he will have the time and the opportunity to grow, without any rush. I’m thankful to Ronni and Birelart for giving us this opportunity».

Vladimir Ivannikov: «I’m glad to announce I will be stepping up to the OK category under the Birelart colours in the 2025 season. It’s a team with a very rich history, I’m glad to finally be part of this red family».
«I’m very excited for this new adventure: higher speeds, an extremely competitive grid and many new things to learn. I’m thankful to Ronni Sala and Jordan Lennox for giving me this opportunity to show myself. I’ll do my best!».

Author: Jacopo Rava

MARKAS SILKUNAS SIGNS WITH VDK RACING FOR HIS SECOND SEASON IN OK CATEGORY

/in /by

The 16-year-old Lithuanian signed with VDK Racing to take on his sophomore year in the OK category. After a very positive 2024 season, Markas will try to get back on the podium of the Champions of the Future Academy Program.

In addition, he will take advantage of the experience gathered last year to establish himself as a top driver in the CIK FIA European and World championships, the WSK Euro Series and the Champions of the Future.

Giovanni Minardi: «We have finally concluded the negotiations with VDK Racing for the 2025 season. I’m really excited and convinced that this driver/team combination can truly fight for great results. Like last year, Markas’ schedule features a very intense season, where he’s certainly going to be a protagonist in every championship he will race in. Now it’s his turn to give his 100%».

Markas Silkunas: «I’m very happy to start 2025 with VDK Racing. I’m looking forward to achieving better results and having a good and successful year in karts. See you on track!».

Eric Verdaasdonk: «As a Team Manager, I can only be delighted to have been able to recruit a driver of the quality of Markas. He has a natural speed which will allow him to get on the podium. It’s really a big opportunity for me and for the whole VDK team».

Author: Jacopo Rava

VANESA SILKUNAITE MOVES TO VDK RACING TO CONTINUE IN OKJ CATEGORY

/in /by

The 13-year-old Lithuanian will continue to race in the OKJ category, but with the support of the VDK Racing team. She will take on the premier international championships, namely the World and European CIK FIA championships, the Champions of the Future and the WSK Euro Series.

Alongside these commitments, she will come back fighting for the podium in the Champions of the Future Academy Program, OKNJ category.

Giovanni Minardi: «This year, Vanesa will have a season full of races, as she will compete in 4 championships. This year, her family gave her the opportunity to have an excellent material in every competition she will race in, therefore I expect her to grow noticeably and to bring home excellent results. I’m looking forward to being back on track with her and to bringing home the results that, due to bad luck, she couldn’t achieve in the 2024 season».

Vanesa Silkunaite: «I’m really excited to start the 2025 season with the VDK Racing Team. It’s exciting for me, because I’ll be staying in the Junior category. I can’t wait for my first race of the 2025 season with VDK and hope it will be a great and exciting year. I’m looking forward to being back on track!».

Eric Verdaasdonk: «I had the pleasant surprise of discovering Vanesa at the International Warriors Final 2024, and that allowed me to confirm all the good things that we thought of her. Thanks to her, the team finally has an excellent driver girl».

Author: Jacopo Rava

MARKAS SILKUNAS INTERVIEW

/in , , , , , , , , , /by

How do you reflect on the 2024 season?
«My season was a success, and I’m really happy with my performance and results».

What did you learn from each championship you raced in?
«I’ve learned a lot from these championships, becoming faster and more successful with each race».

Where does your win in Al Forsan rank in your best moments of the year?
«Winning in Al Forsan felt amazing, especially to do so in front of Toto Wolff and all the other racing teams».

You finally got to hear your national anthem again on the podium. What kind of support do you feel you’re receiving from Lithuania?
«Winning at the FIA Motorsport Games was the highlight of my season. Hearing my national anthem play was an unforgettable feeling».

What’s your best quality?
«I believe my greatest strengths are my focus, consistency, and adaptability».

What is the aspect you’re working on the most?
«Right now, we’re working on becoming more consistent and finding ways to improve my speed in wet conditions».

Is there a personal aspect in which you improved thanks to racing?
«At the moment, I’m focused on analyzing what went wrong in recent races and figuring out how I can improve moving forward».

What are your expectations for the 2025 season?
«In 2025, I aim to secure more podiums and continue to develop my driving skills».

Where do you see yourself in three years time?
«In three years, I would like to be competing professionally, whether in F3 or F2, and ideally either racing for free or being paid for my efforts».

What is the ultimate goal in your career?
«My ultimate goal is to become an F1 driver or to be paid for doing what I love».

Author: Jacopo Rava

JULIA ANGELARD TO STAY AT JSTR RACING FOR 2025 KARTING SEASON

/in /by

Julia Angelard will continue his karting journey with the JSTR Racing team. The thirteen-year-old Pole will take on her sophomore season in the ROK Italy Series, Junior category. Moreover, she will feature in the prestigious Champions of the Future Academy Program, OKNJ category.

Giovanni Minardi: «I’m very excited about the program Julia will undertake this year, participating in the ROK Italy Series and the Champions of the Future Academy Program.I’m sure that, after what she showed last season, 2025 will be a season where she can get many good results in both championships.I’m looking forward to seeing her on track, especially in the Champions of the Future Academy Program. She will be a girl to fear on track».

Julia Angelard: «I am very excited to continue my karting experience to fulfill my dreams in my motorsport career. I’m staying with JSTR by Jastrzębski Racing Team, which helped me to develop my skills and proved to be very fast and competitive. In 2025 I will repeat ROK Cup Italy, which I liked to participate in last year, but I will also participate in the Champions of the Future Academy Program. If budget and calendar allows I will also participate in some WSK races and the Polish Championship. I will also continue my partnership with Minardi Management, who has been a great support for me in my career and in making decisions. It’s going to be a busy and exciting year».

Kamil Jastrzębski: «After a very busy 2024 season with a lot of racing, Julia showed great improvement and progress. We will continue working together to get even better results in 2025. In this season, we are excited to focus on ROK Cup Italy series and some WSK rounds»

Author: Jacopo Rava

ZACK ZHU CONTINUES WITH LA MOTORSPORT IN 2025

/in , , , , , , , , /by

Zack Zhu will continue with LA Motorsport for the 2025 karting season. The 2012-born French driver will step from the Mini GR3 to the OKNJ category and will take on a program comprising French and Italian championships.

In France he will be supported by the Ludo Racing team (CRG France). The season will start in February with the Rotax Max Challenge France and Round 1 of the Kart Mag in Salbris. Instead, the French Championship will kick off in Le Mans at the end of February. In May there will be the first of three races of the NSK championship, while in summer there will be the Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy in Le Mans and the French Cup in Angerville, his home track.

In Italy he will race with LA Motorsport team in two different international-level championships: some WSK races and the Italian ACI Karting Championship. In addition, he will try to qualify in the FIA Karting World Cup in Cremona at the end of September and participate at the Trofeo delle Industrie at the end of November.

Giovanni Minardi: «I am very pleased to have found an excellent solution with LA Motorsport for Zack. Even if for only the second part of the season, I worked very well with Luca and I saw Zack growing excellently since he races for him, so it was an easy choice to stay, even because, in addition to working well, he has excellent material for the category: Parolin chassis and TM/GFR engine. I am sure that excellent results will come during the 2025 season».

Zack Zhu: «I’m glad to step to the junior category and to continue to work with LA Motorsport in the WSK and Italian championship next year. Thanks for their trust on me, let’s keep fighting and getting better».

Author: Jacopo Rava

PIETRO BAGUTTI JOINS BIRELART FOR THE 2025 KARTING SEASON

/in /by

Pietro Bagutti will race with Birelart in the 2025 karting season. The 2011-born driver from
Piacenza will embark in his first season in the OK Junior category on an international
level, after competing in the OKNJ category in 2024.
His 2025 program includes the CIK FIA European and World Championships, the
Champions of the Future, the WSK Super Master Series and Final Cup.

Giovanni Minardi: «I’m happy to finally see Pietro in an international program, and more importantly to see him in a Factory Team. We have been working towards this goal for a long time and we have finally managed to create the right opportunity with Birelart».

«I’m sure Pietro will make his mark in the international program he will carry out next season, I’m looking forward to seeing him on track. I want to thank the CEO of Birelart for the great opportunity he’s giving us and I hope we can repay him as soon as possible with excellent results on track».

Pietro Bagutti: «We are concluding 2024 thinking already about 2025. I’m proud to have become the official driver of the Birelart team and to take on with them the most important races worldwide: WSK, Champions of the Future, European and World Championships. One thing is certain: I’ll do my best both on track and at home to get the best results».

«I’m thankful to my manager Giovanni Minardi for the continuous support, Ronni Sala and the Birelart team, Franco Drudi and the TM for the support with the engines, my athletic trainer Gianfranco Rizzi and my parents for the continuous sacrifices they’re making for me».

Author: Jacopo Rava

MARKAS AND VANESA SILKUNAI STAR IN AL FORSAN. SCHILLACI RETURNS FROM INJURY AT SARNO

/in /by

Last Tuesday at Al Forsan, Markas Silkunas and Vanesa Silkunaite scored excellent results in the Champions of the Future Academy Program finals.
In the weekend at Sarno, Daniele Schillaci returned to racing after months of injury, showing a great performance in the Ayrton Senna Kart Trophy.

Vanesa Silkunaite (P5 in the OK-N Junior category at Al Forsan)
The thirteen-year-old Lithuanian has always been one of the fastest girls on track across the weekend. In Final 1, she crossed the finish line in P14, but was later disqualified due to an incident. She made up for it in Final 2, where she earned an excellent P5, the best classified girl. Vanesa has been competitive in every session, so she can be satisfied with her season finale.

Markas Silkunas (Winner in the OK-N category at Al Forsan)
The fifteen-year-old Lithuanian has always been a protagonist across the weekend. He was very fast right from the Heats, where he always raced in the leading pack. After a good P4 in Final 1, Markas managed to get a great victory in Final 2. For once, luck turned on his side after a difficult season, and he finally got what he had often came close to. The result meant he earned second place in the championship, an excellent boost of confidence towards the 2025 season.

Daniele Schillaci (P7 in the OK-N category at Sarno)
The fifteen-year-old from Ragusa returned to racing after a months-long injury. To ensure a great comeback, he switched from the Lenzokart to the Parolin equipment.
He started from P17 in Final 1, but with a great start he managed to grab P8 at the flag. Starting P8 in a full wet Final 2, Daniele lapped with extreme consistency and crossed the finish line in seventh position. Daniele classified P7 in the overall standings, a great sign towards a promising 2025 season.

Author: Jacopo Rava

GOOD PROGRESS SHOWN IN THE WSK WEEKEND IN CREMONA

/in /by

The 2024 karting season ended last weekend with the WSK Final Cup in Cremona. The five Minardi Management drivers left the track with mixed feelings: some experienced mechanical misfortunes, others made sensational comebacks.

Jason Kosmopoulou (P35 in the Mini GR3 category)
The young Greek ended 2024 on a high note. He scored two beautiful victories in the three heats, but he couldn’t do the same in the pre-final due to an inevitable accident. Bad luck stroke in the final too, as a mechanical failure halted a great comeback to P4.

Nefeli Kosmopoulou (P26 in the OKNJ category)
The thirteen-year-old Greek could not run a smooth qualifying due to a technical problem. Despite this, she made lots of overtakes in each of the three heats. Unfortunately, some mechanical struggles in the pre-final and in the final prevented her from showing her true potential.

Pietro Peter Bagutti (DNQ in the OKJ category final)
The twelve-year-old Italian experienced an unfortunate weekend, as the difficult grid position did not allow him to shine in the heats. Starting from the back in the pre-final, he made an extraordinary start, eventually finishing in an excellent P20.

Vladimir Ivannikov (P16º in the OKJ category)
The fourteen-year-old Russian experienced a difficult qualifying, but showed all his overtaking prowess during the heats. His excellent weekend continued with two great comebacks in the pre-final and in the final. Unfortunately, his bumper dented after an unavoidable crash, and the resulting penalty costed him six positions.

François Kerdal (DNQ in the OK category final)
The thirteen-year-old Italian-Swiss started the weekend with some accidents and mechanical problems. Despite not qualifying for the final, his driving style improved considerably. His great speed foreshadows a very successful 2025.

2025
Considering the excellent progress shown by the drivers, the 2025 season promises to be a successful one for the Minardi Management.

Author: Jacopo Rava