For the third event of the Champions of the Future Academy Program International Series, we swap gyros for pizza and head to Italy. Just when we thought it was hot in Greece, the temperature rises even further in Viterbo.
Set just outside the historic labyrinth-like walls of Viterbo, a city dating back to the 1250’s, lies the Leopard Circuit Viterbo. Measuring 1,294 metres in length and boasting 16 turns, 10 to the right and six to the left, the clockwise circuit hosts hairpins, chicanes and cambered corners to test the Mini 60, OK-N Junior and OK-N Senior categories this week. With temperatures expected to reach around 33°C in a place where shade doesn't exist, there will be nowhere to hide from either the heat or the competition.
The climb to catch Sami
In the Mini 60 category, Ilyas Sami currently leads the series standings, with Maximilian Schilling and Mik Klinkers hot on his heels. Sami claimed two wins at Event 2 in Greece in similar conditions, a feat both Klinkers and Schilling will be looking to replicate this weekend as they attempt to reduce the 51-point gap separating the top three. In a field packed with talent, Leo Kralev also returns, hoping to secure what could be his first victory of the year.
Mercedes brings its best
Anybody who has previously watched editions of the Champions of the Future Academy Program will recognise a familiar name from the Mini class: Niccolo Perico. This weekend, Perico returns for the first time in 2026, now stepping up to the OK-N Junior category. He will be joined by Mercedes F1 Junior teammate Devin Titzs, who recently raced at PF International in the UK Series but is yet to make his International Series debut this season. Both will be drivers to watch, particularly for current championship leaders Diar Islami, Zoltan Coigny and Mitansh Jain, who occupy the top three positions in the standings.
OK-N Senior could be anybody's game
The 2026 Senior season has been the complete opposite of 2025, when Markus Silkunas dominated the championship with the majority of heat and final victories. This year, several different winners have emerged, including Veer Chopra, Angelina Simons and Kacper Rajpold, with Chopra claiming two consecutive victories. This weekend presents another opportunity for new names to stake their claim, with drivers such as Jagrat Detroja proving in Greece that Chopra is far from unstoppable, both on track and at the top of the standings.
Viterbo is set to turn up the heat both on and off the circuit as drivers across all three categories go head-to-head at the halfway point of the season. Testing begins on Friday at a circuit that is brand new to some but very familiar to others, including Nicolo Perico and Angelina Simons, before full race days on Saturday and Sunday promise even greater pressure.
Watch Race Day live on the official Champions Karting YouTube channel, and let the Leopard Circuit provide the entertainment.