Two years after their last visit, the gearbox categories are back at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno for the second of three rounds in the Mondokart.com FIA Karting European Championship - KZ and KZ2. From 19th to 22nd June 2025, the KZ2 Masters category will be added to the programme. This Championship will be contested over a single competition. A total of 125 Drivers are entered.
Since the first FIA Karting event was held at Sarno more than 25 years ago, the Neapolitan track has constantly evolved. It currently measures 1,670 metres and underwent a major modification in 2024. A new series of bends was created before the start straight, while several other parts of the circuit were resurfaced. The weather at the foot of Mount Vesuvius is expected to be warm, but not excessive. All three categories will be equipped with Dunlop 'Option' tyres.
KZ: Hiltbrand goes for the title
Winner in Valencia in May, Pedro Hiltbrand, will arrive in the Campania region as leader of the premier gearbox kart category. The Spaniard has one of the most impressive records in the field, but has never yet won the European title in KZ. In Spain, three drivers who have recently moved up from the KZ2 category made a strong impression and will be watched closely again: Italy's Cristian Bertuca, team-mate of Hiltbrand, as well as the two Frenchmen Jean Nomblot and Mattéo Spirgel. Germany's David Trefilov and Italy's Giuseppe Palomba, who changed teams in the off-season, scored significant points in Valencia and will be aiming for a podium finish in Italy, as will Sweden's Viktor Gustafsson, who came on strong in the previous competition. Many other well-known drivers are also hoping to take part in the battle for victory.
2025 Mondokart.com FIA Karting European Championship - KZ standings* after Competition 1:
1- Hiltbrand, Pedro (ESP - Birelart / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 100 points
2- Bertuca, Cristian (ITA - Birelart / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 73 points
3- Palomba, Giuseppe (ITA - Maranello / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 72 points
4- Trefilov, David (GER - IPK / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 70 points
5- Spirgel, Matteo (FRA - Sodi / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 54 points
6- Gustafsson, Viktor (SWE - CRG / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 46 points
7- Nomblot, Jean (FRA - Sodi / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 45 points
8- Vasile, Daniel (ROU - Birelart / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 35 points
9- Leuillet, Tom (FRA - Tony Kart / Vortex / Dunlop) - 33 points
10- Denner, Emilien (FRA - IPK / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 27 points
KZ Team standings* after Valencia:
1- Birel ART Racing (ITA) - 173 points
2- Sodikart (FRA) - 99 points
3- Formula K SRP Factory Team (GER) - 97 points
4- Maranello Kart S.r.l. (ITA) - 72 points
5- Tony Kart Racing Team (ITA) - 59 points
6- CRG (ITA) - 46 points
*The competition standings have been suspended due to the appeal lodged by the competitor of driver Trefilov in Valencia
KZ2: A wide open Championship
Maxim Orlov left his mark on the first competition of the season in Spain, scoring maximum points. Will he be as dominant in Sarno? The KZ2 category has become accustomed to revealing young talent in recent years, and the hierarchy can change rapidly from one competition to the next. More than a dozen drivers have the potential to reach the top of the podium. Tyre performance will be a factor to be taken into account on this fast track, where the average lap speed exceeds 100 kph. Of the 69 entries announced, seven have joined the field as a wild card, including six from the host country.
2025 Mondokart.com FIA Karting European Championship - KZ2 standings after Competition 1:
1- Orlov, Maksim (Sodi / TM Racing / Dunlop) - 100 points
2- Bunatyan, Tigran (IPK / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 80 points
3- Schormans, Kasper (NED - Sodi / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 75 points
4- Goldstein, Elie (BEL - TB Kart / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 62 points
5- Schleimer, Maximilian (GER - Sodi / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 56 points
6- Valtanen, Juho (FIN - Birelart / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 44 points
7- Rousseau, Corentin (FRA - Birelart / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 40 points
8- Kajak, Markus (EST - IPK / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 38 points
9- Tonteri, Juho (FIN - CRG / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 28 points
10- Urwin, Jay (NZL - Birelart / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 23 points
KZ2 Team standings after Valencia:
1- CPB Sport (FRA) - 182 points
2- Formula K SRP Factory Team (GER) - 118 points
3- Birel ART Racing (ITA) - 73 points
4- TBKart Racing Team srl (ITA) - 68 points
5- CL Racing Team (ITA) - 46 points
6- CRG (ITA) - 32 points
KZ2 Masters: The strength of experience
In December 2024, the FIA World Motor Sport Council approved a number of new regulations changes. Among them, the introduction of a quarantine period for high-level drivers before they can compete in the KZ2 Masters category. The many enlightened amateurs and former KZ or KZ2 specialists aged 35 or over should guarantee an exciting competition. At Sarno, the name of the first FIA European Karting Champion of the 2025 season will be known!
Winner of numerous world events during a career that began some 40 years ago, Italy's Davide Fore' will attempt to win the FIA Karting European Championship that slipped from his grasp in 2024. In this unique competition, he will be up against many of his compatriots, including reigning champion Riccardo Nalon, Manuel Cozzaglio, Angelo Lombardo, Mirko Mizzoni, Antonio Piccioni, Andrea Spagni, Roberto Profico and Alessio La Martina. All of them will be determined to cause the Italian anthem to ring out in Sarno. Daniel Bray (NZL), Kristijan Habulin (CRO), and Andre Nicastro (BRA) are also experts in the category.
From 19th to 22nd June, the Sarno event can be followed on the fiakarting.com.
Download the provisional programme here.