The fourth round of the 2025 Champions of the Future Academy Program at the Slovakia Ring wrapped up the European leg of the season in style. Blessed with warm, summery weather, the drivers enjoyed near-perfect conditions — and they delivered some of the most intense and spectacular racing of the year so far.

Across the categories, five different drivers climbed onto the top step of the podium, proving once again that victories don’t always go to the points leaders. The title fights remain wide open, promising plenty of suspense as the season moves toward its decisive final stages. The competitiveness of the field was also underlined by the three women celebrating on the podium, further highlighting the inclusive and equal platform provided by RGMMC’s arrive and drive concept. With identical equipment for all, it is talent and determination that make the difference on track.

Now, the Academy looks ahead to the Middle East for a thrilling conclusion to 2025. The journey begins with the launch of the UAE series at Al Forsan on 7th–9th November, before the international championship resumes with back-to-back rounds: Al Ain, 24th–26th November (Monday–Wednesday race), and a return to Al Forsan, 1st–3rd December (Monday–Wednesday), just days before the closing Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Registrations for the UAE series, as well as wildcard entries for the international rounds, are now open on the official website.

OK-N Mini: Godschalk and Burgess impress

Through continuous progress and maturity, several U10 drivers have confirmed their ability to fight for the podium, or even victory, against their Mini 60 rivals. At the Slovakia Ring, Wynn Godschalk and Zayne Burgess won the two Finals respectively. Both are American and competing in the U10 category. On Saturday, Burgess took pole position but had to concede in both races, first to Achilleas Peruzzi (UAE) and then to Godschalk. The Final was spectacular, with Godschalk overtaking Burgess just before the finish line, which saw six karts finish wheel to wheel. Teo Pelfrene (POR) narrowly took 3rd place on the podium ahead of Atiqa Mir (IND), Arhaan Koreishi (IND) and Cooper Dowling Brodi (RSA).

The next day, Burgess took his revenge. Winner of both heats, he initially lost out to Koreishi, but found an opening in the last corner in superb fashion. As on the previous day, Pelfrene finished 3rd, this time ahead of Godschalk. A compact pack followed, with Jan Gardzielik (POL) ahead of Ava Lawrence (UAE) and the 4th-placed driver in the series, Mattis Brageot (FRA). Forced to retire on Saturday, Peruzzi was again unlucky in this second Final, despite starting from pole position in the morning.

In the overall standings, Niccolo Perico (ITA) remains in the lead, but Burgess and Godschalk have closed the gap. The latter two are also the leaders in the U10 category.

Overall standings after Slovakia Ring
1 Niccolo Perico (ITA) 381 pts
2 Zayne Burgess (USA) 346 pts, 1st U10
3 Wynn Godschalk (USA) 322 pts, 2nd U10
4 Mattis Brageot (FRA) 280 pts
5 Teo Pelfrene (POR) 258 pts
6 Vicente Capela (POR) 251 pts
7 Lorenzo Zucchetto (SUI) 238 pts
8 Achilleas Peruzzi (UAE) 210 pts
9 Jan Gardzielik (POL) 193 pts
10 Ava Lawrence (UAE) 192 pts
16 Benjamin Karajkovic (UAE), 5th U10
25 Samar Chopra (UAE) 2 pts, 3rd U10
37a Ronald Venter (RSA), 4th U10

Equipment: Parolin / TM Kart

OK-N Junior: Double victory for Samczyk, Nuvolini the new leader

Remigiusz Samczyk (POL) came to experience this highly competitive series and impressed in Slovakia, dominating his opponents. On both Saturday and Sunday, the Pole took pole position, won both Qualifying Heats and then the Final. Each time, Many Nuvolini (FRA) gave him a superb fight when the young Frenchman managed to lead the Finals. However, Samczyk was able to make the difference, while Nuvolini was busy racking up important points. Conor Clancy (UAE), who arrived in Slovakia at the top of the overall standings, was the big loser in this event. He retired in both Finals, allowing Nuvolini to take over at the top of the standings with a 61-point lead.

Ashton Woon (USA) was particularly inspired on Saturday. P2 after the Qualifying Heats, he completed the podium. The top three finished within less than five tenths of a second of each other, with a comfortable lead over Huifei Xie (CHN), who got the better of Benjamin Westwood (MLT) and Angelina Simons Torres (ESP). Like Woon on Saturday, Victoria Farfus (BRA) celebrated her first podium finish in the Academy Program by coming back to finish P3 in Sunday's Final after overtaking Nathan Kappen (UAE). After a disappointing day the day before, Didier Kreeft (NED) gained eight places to finish P5, sandwiched between Westwood and Julia Angelard (POL).

Overall standings after Slovakia Ring
1 Many Nuvolini (FRA) 387 pts
2 Conor Clancy (UAE) 326 pts
3 Kacper Rajpold (POL) 231 pts
4 Angelina Simons Torres (ESP) 224 pts
5 Didier Kreeft (NED) 216 pts
6 Nojus Stasionis (LTU) 211 pts
7 Victoria Farfus (BRA) 210 pts
8 Leonidas Peruzzi (UAE) 203 pts
9 Huifei Xie (CHN) 166 pts
10 Remigiusz Samczyk (POL) 150 pts

Equipment: KR / IAME

OK-N Senior: Galan responds to Silkunas

The Qualifying Heats provided some exciting moments. After Markas Silkunas secured pole position on Saturday ahead of Vanesa Silkunaite, the brother and sister from Lithuania found themselves on the front row in both heats. The next day, two women took their place at the front of the pack, with Ella Hakkinen (MON) ahead of Chiara Battig (SUI).

In Final 1, Silkunas held on to his lead from start to finish. However, he had to keep an eye on Kacper Rajpold (POL), who never took his eyes off the leader after winning a heat in the morning. Chiara Battig quickly settled into 3rd place and did not allow the brother-sister duo to finish on the podium, with Vanesa Silkunaite coming in 4th. Radek Vavra (CZE) achieved his best result of the season by finishing 5th ahead of Signe Pejs Ornboll (DEN).

On Sunday, Ella Hakkinen won both heats against Oskar Galan (POL), but she was unable to do anything against her main rival in the Final. Galan took the lead in the race on the second lap, before securing a comfortable enough lead to remain unchallenged. Hakkinen took 2nd place on the podium despite Rajpold's efforts. Forced to retire in one heat, Markas Silkunas made a rapid comeback from 12th to 4th place with the fastest lap of the race. The Lithuanian notably overtook Chiara Battig, Wojciech Woda and Vanesa Silkunaite in the closing laps. Silkunas remains a solid leader in the overall standings ahead of Battig, now 2nd ahead of Woda.

Overall standings after Slovakia Ring
1 Markas Silkunas (LTU) 489 pts
2 Chiara Battig (SUI) 368 pts
3 Wojciech Woda (POL) 353 pts
4 Ella Hakkinen (MON) 267 pts
5 Klara Kowalczyk (POL) 244 pts
6 Oskar Galan (POL) 211 pts
7 Marlon Bayer (SUI) 206 pts
8 Guido Bruno Bidoli (NAM) 147 pts
9 Signe Pejs Ornboll (NOR) 147 pts
10 Martim Barros Meneses (POR) 139 pts

Equipment: KR / IAME
 

Next rounds
24th-26th November: Al Ain – UAE
1st-3rd December: Al Forsan – UAE