Sem and Maurits Knopjes have both been crowned world champions at the 2025 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in Bahrain. Sem clinched the world title in the DD2 category, while his father Maurits secured the championship in the E20 Masters class. It is the first time in the event’s history that a father and son claimed world titles in the same year.

The Birelart factory continues its successful partnership with BRP-Rotax at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals, held in the magical setting of the Bahrain circuit. The Italian manufacturer was once again chosen for its high-end products, rigour, flawless logistics and quality of service to supply the chassis for the Micro Max category in the colours of Charles Leclerc, Rotax DD2 labelled Birelart and Rotax DD2 Master embodied by the new Barichello Kart brand. 144 drivers delivered exciting races thanks to perfect sporting fairness at the wheel of chassis produced in Lissone.

What an incredible week it has been here in the Kingdom of Bahrain for the RMC Grand Finals 2025. The atmosphere was absolutely electrifying, filled with anticipation, emotion, and world-class racing. Under the intense Bahraini sun, the heat on track was even higher as the Finals began: from the thrilling battles of the E20 E-Kart classes, to the young talents of Micro MAX and Mini MAX, through the fiercely competitive Junior and Senior MAX categories, all the way to the high-speed action of DD2 and DD2 Masters.

Qualifying Practice, Heat Races, and Pre-Finals are now in the books, and the only session that remains of any importance is the Finals on Saturday. With RMC Grand National Championship titles on the line, one of the best days of the year in all of karting happens tomorrow.

It was a busy day on track at the Bahrain International Karting Circuit as heat races concluded today, setting the grids for Pre-Finals tomorrow. With a delay-free day, more than 25 heat races were run with different drivers from countries around the world battling it out on one of the world’s best karting circuits. The intensity ramps up as we enter Friday as drivers chase the elusive chance to be crowned a 2025 RMC Grand National Champion.
 

It was Qualifying Practice and Heat 1 on the schedule today at the Bahrain International Karting Circuit as a late start would see the first wheel-to-wheel action of the weekend take place under the lights. However, a major delay due to some post-qualifying penalty reviews put a hamper on the day, and select races will be moved to tomorrow, including A vs B and C vs D heat races in Senior MAX, DD2 Master MAX, and DD2 MAX. Despite the delay and some increased tensions across competitions, the on-track racing proved to be incredible, something that the RMC Grand Finals has been accustomed to seeing.

As the track action heated up throughout the day, times dropped as a total of five Non-Qualifying Practice sessions have now concluded for each category. Tomorrow brings a new day, a single Non-Qualifying Practice for each driver before Qualifying Practice sets the grids for the first wheel-to-wheel action of the week. With no delay, Heat 1 for all classes will round out Wednesday's on-track competition, as drivers look forward to the chance to become a Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals Champion later in the week.

After an unforgettable evening yesterday, the 2025 RMC Grand Finals are now in full swing. We officially opened the event with the traditional Welcome Party in the Formula 1 Paddock of the Bahrain International Circuit, where drivers, mechanics, teams, families, and the entire Rotax crew came together to celebrate the start of this exciting week. With live traditional music, great food, and a fantastic atmosphere, it was the perfect way to kick off the Grand Finals.

The 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy wrapped up its season at one of karting’s most revered venues: the Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno, Italy. With Grand Finals tickets on the line and titles to be decided across five categories, the southern Italian circuit delivered a championship finale to remember.

The grand finale of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy unfolded in spectacular fashion at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno, Italy. Under the southern sun and with a passionate crowd lining the fences, the season reached its climax with five champions being crowned — each after a year of fierce competition, high drama, and standout performances.

The Saturday of heats at the Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy has shaped the overall rankings after heats. Leading their respective categories are Emerson Macandrew-Uren (Mini MAX), Bran Vanderveken (Junior MAX), Tino Sidler (Senior MAX), Sem Knopjes (DD2) and Nicolas Picot (DD2 Masters).

A Friday full of action and plot twists at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli, host of the final round of the Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy. On the track located just a few kilometers from Naples, 7 qualifying sessions and 6 heats shaped today’s program.

The 7th edition of the Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy came to a spectacular conclusion on Saturday, 19th July at Le Mans. Maximum intensity and elevated spectacle accompanied the Final stages of the competition for the 343 participants and all the spectators at this major karting event.

In increasingly hot weather, the 343 drivers competing in the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy contested 36 Qualifying Heats before tackling the Super Heats on Saturday morning to select the finalists in the six categories who will compete on the afternoon of Saturday 19th July at Le Mans.

After familiarising themselves with the Le Mans International Circuit during Free Practice, the 343 participants in the 2025 Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy competed with great energy during Qualifying on Thursday morning on a dry track under partly cloudy skies. Ava Lawrence (UAE) in Micro Max, Emerson Macandrew-Uren (GBR) in Mini Max, Eva Morris (GBR) in Junior Max, Simon Périgny (FRA) in Senior Max, Sem Knopjes (NLD) in DD2 Max and Gabriel Zughella (ARG) in DD2 Max Masters took pole positions in this 7th edition.
 

It’s Finals Day at the Circuito Internazionale di Napoli in Sarno, Italy. After a week of hard-fought racing, it was time to crown champions at the 2024 RMC Grand Finals. Drivers from around the world battled one last time to have the chance to bask in the glory and fame of winning one of the most significant karting events around the world. Leaving the circuit tonight as a champion could change your life for the future. For some, it has been a week of success. For others, they are already focusing on earning an invitation to the 2025 RMC Grand Finals.

The Circuito Internazionale di Napoli in Sarno, Italy has been a great host for the 2024 RMC Grand Finals, as competitors worldwide will compete for Rotax glory tomorrow. The trials and tribulations of practice, qualifying, and the heat races lead to tomorrow and the chance to be crowned an RMC Grand Finals Champion.

The wheel-to-wheel action continued today at the Circuito Internazionale di Napoli in Sarno, Italy. With one heat race for most classes yesterday, all classes saw race action today, and the results set the grid for tomorrow’s prefinals. With some drivers experiencing success and others heartbreak, we are less than two days away from crowning the 2024 RMC Grand Final Champions.