The unfamiliar 1,647-metre circuit provided exactly the test expected of it. Drivers faced intense heat, tightly packed racing and drama as the penultimate round of the 2026 Champions of the Future Academy Program International Series began at the Aspar Circuit.
Hibbert was unbeatable across all four Mini 60 sessions, while Axel Nocom and Angelina Simons Torres controlled their respective Junior and Senior qualifying programmes. Neither, however, would convert that advantage into victory in the Finals.
Jain makes his move when it matters
Axel Nocom set the early pace in OK-N Junior, taking pole position before winning the opening Qualifying Heat ahead of Julia Angelard and Mitansh Jain. Jain responded in the second heat, leading Nocom and Angelard to the finish, but Nocom’s combined results were enough to secure pole position for the Final.
The decisive race developed into a contest between the same three drivers. Jain and Angelard moved ahead of Nocom before working together to create space over the chasing field. Jain waited until he felt he had the pace to lead, made his move on Angelard and defended through the final corners to claim his first Final victory of the season.
Only 0.042 seconds separated Jain and Angelard at the line. Alessandro Gonzalez completed the podium, with Christian Faye Lund fourth and Jamie Ehrat fifth. The victory capped a major Saturday for Jain and moved him into the provisional championship lead.
Four sessions, four victories for Hibbert
Mayson Hibbert delivered a commanding Mini 60 qualifying programme, beginning with pole position before winning both Qualifying Heats. Adam Pirvu and Gordey Dulev followed him home in the first, while Alexandr Macháč and David Sheetov emerged as his closest challengers in the second.
The Final demanded more from Hibbert. After being pushed back to fourth during the closing stages, he worked his way through the leading group and recovered first place to complete the clean sweep.
Macháč remained with him to the chequered flag, while Pirvu secured the final podium position. Ilyas Sami finished fourth and Sheetov fifth, with the leading group remaining closely matched until the end of the race.
Chopra withstands Rostad’s pressure
Angelina Simons Torres was the driver to beat throughout the OK-N Senior qualifying programme. The F1 Academy Discover Your Drive-supported driver took pole position and followed it with victories in both Qualifying Heats. Ina Karine Rostad finished second on each occasion, establishing herself as Simons Torres’ closest challenger before the Final.
When racing resumed following an interrupted start, Veer Chopra emerged in the lead with Rostad directly behind him. She remained within striking distance for the entire race, forcing Chopra to absorb constant pressure while leaving no margin for error.
Chopra kept his composure and held the lead to the chequered flag, securing his latest Final victory of the season. Rostad earned second place after pushing him throughout, with Sebastian Verger Morell completing the podium ahead of Jagrat Detroja and Marcel Matyjewicz.
Everything resets on Sunday
Saturday established the leading contenders of Aspar, but a completely new day awaits on Sunday. Fresh Time Qualifying sessions will be followed by two more Qualifying Heats and another set of Finals, giving every driver a new opportunity to master the track and make their mark on the penultimate round.
With Jain carrying winning momentum into Junior, Hibbert looking to extend his perfect weekend in Mini 60, and the Senior field aiming to end Simons Torres’ qualifying dominance and Chopra’s run of Final success, another closely fought day lies ahead.
