GENK – He had dominated every session of the weekend, so his victory in Saturday’s final almost seemed inevitable. At the Genk circuit, the 13-year-old from Givry was the strongest driver throughout the fifth round of the IAME Series Benelux. He secured his first win of the season in IAME X30 Junior.
“I’m really happy,” Antoine said with a smile after the final. “I want to thank everyone who has followed and supported me throughout the year. I always give everything I have to get on the podium and fight for P1. But before the race, no, I didn’t think I would win. I just gave it everything.”
Antoine set the fastest time in qualifying and remained unbeaten in the heats. All that was left was the final. “I was trying to build as big a lead as possible. After the slow period, I got overtaken, but I fought back to retake the lead, and then I pulled away again,” Antoine explains.
Race control ultimately played a part in the outcome, as the final was stopped with a red flag following an incident. “That’s not how you want to win, but I had everything under control to take the victory,” says the young driver, who already has plenty of experience under his belt.
Six years ago, Antoine completed his first laps in a kart at the Mariembourg circuit, driving a Mini alongside his father and brother. “I started the engine, put my foot down and went straight into a barrier. Then I tried again, and that was it,” he recalls with a laugh.
Antoine comes from a true motorsport family. His father competed in rallying and works in motorsport, while his older brother Sébastien is now pursuing a career in the sport himself. Karting, however, was Antoine’s own idea. “My dad was looking after the mechanics for the RSD team, and at one of their races I told him: ‘Dad, I want to go karting.’ He said, ‘OK, let’s give it a try,’” Antoine recalls.
Since then, Antoine has continued to prove his talent year after year. This season, he is racing with VDK Racing, one of the leading teams in the field. “It’s a family team, but at the same time very professional. Everything is serious, and we want to win. I learn from everything and everyone here. My mechanic Tom helps me a lot. And the guys always stay calm, which really helps me,” he says.
Antoine’s next outing will be the IAME Euro Series, also at Genk. He selects his races in consultation with his team, always aiming to compete at the highest level. “This year I’ve focused on the Champions of the Future and FIA Karting European Championship races. I haven’t competed in WSK as much as I used to. Thanks to VDK and my coach Kenny, I’ve really improved and made huge progress with my driving, so I want to thank them for that,” says the young driver, who had already secured a podium finish earlier this year at the IAME Winter Cup in Valencia.
Ultimately, Antoine hopes to make the transition from karting to car racing, either in single-seaters or GT. “I simply love competition!”
Antoine would like to thank team manager Alain, as well as Eric, his parents, his sisters and his brother, and his coach Kenny Roosens.
Antoine Venant’s racing career is supported by: McDonald’s Hainaut, Bell Helmets, Hupé Assurances Fleurus, Beobank Fleurus, Soins Infirmiers Estinnes, Servipools Piscines 1 Wellness, Servimat and Paddock Distribution.