Sem and Maurits Knopjes have both been crowned world champions at the 2025 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in Bahrain. Sem clinched the world title in the DD2 category, while his father Maurits secured the championship in the E20 Masters class. It is the first time in the event’s history that a father and son claimed world titles in the same year.

The Birelart factory continues its successful partnership with BRP-Rotax at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals, held in the magical setting of the Bahrain circuit. The Italian manufacturer was once again chosen for its high-end products, rigour, flawless logistics and quality of service to supply the chassis for the Micro Max category in the colours of Charles Leclerc, Rotax DD2 labelled Birelart and Rotax DD2 Master embodied by the new Barichello Kart brand. 144 drivers delivered exciting races thanks to perfect sporting fairness at the wheel of chassis produced in Lissone.

What an incredible week it has been here in the Kingdom of Bahrain for the RMC Grand Finals 2025. The atmosphere was absolutely electrifying, filled with anticipation, emotion, and world-class racing. Under the intense Bahraini sun, the heat on track was even higher as the Finals began: from the thrilling battles of the E20 E-Kart classes, to the young talents of Micro MAX and Mini MAX, through the fiercely competitive Junior and Senior MAX categories, all the way to the high-speed action of DD2 and DD2 Masters.

Qualifying Practice, Heat Races, and Pre-Finals are now in the books, and the only session that remains of any importance is the Finals on Saturday. With RMC Grand National Championship titles on the line, one of the best days of the year in all of karting happens tomorrow.

It was a busy day on track at the Bahrain International Karting Circuit as heat races concluded today, setting the grids for Pre-Finals tomorrow. With a delay-free day, more than 25 heat races were run with different drivers from countries around the world battling it out on one of the world’s best karting circuits. The intensity ramps up as we enter Friday as drivers chase the elusive chance to be crowned a 2025 RMC Grand National Champion.