GENK – Few drivers can claim to have done what Zyed Dieudonne achieved on Sunday: going from 30th place to victory. The young karting talent pulled off the remarkable feat at Genk during the IAME Series Benelux. At just nine years old, the Verviers-based driver won the fifth round of the championship in the Mini Rookie class – in his very first race with a brand-new chassis.
“It was a great race,” Zyed said, beaming with joy after the final. “I didn’t rush things at the start because otherwise you lose time. Maxime Bal was ahead of me and we were catching him. He was battling with another driver on the Europalaan, and I took advantage of it. I overtook him on the inside and took the lead.”
Despite the victory, the result was almost miraculous considering how badly his weekend had started. “Just before qualifying, we had a battery problem and my dad didn’t have enough time to change everything. We fitted a lighter battery and added more fuel, but it wasn’t enough: we were 500 grams underweight at the end of qualifying.”
As a result, he had to start the first heat from the very back of the grid, P30. And that was when Zyed showed that he already has the makings of a great driver. The young Belgian climbed no fewer than 24 places to finish P6, before proving in the second heat that this was no fluke. This time, he gained 22 positions to cross the finish line in eighth. That put him sixth on the grid for the final.
And that was where everything came together. Suddenly, he was back in contention for the podium. It was especially on the long straight along the Europalaan that Zyed had to give it everything. “The most difficult overtake was at the end of the Europalaan, just before the esses. I went around the outside. It was risky, but I couldn’t afford to lose any time.”
Eventually, he crossed the finish line as the winner, achieving the victory in his very first race with his new Intrepid chassis. After the finish, Zyed tapped the side of his kart as a gesture of thanks. “It worked really well,” said the driver from the Dimo Kart team, where his father works as a mechanic. He has also recently started working with a coach, Enzo Leveque, while Caren Burton provided him with the chassis.
The young Belgian clearly made an immediate impact. After all, Zyed has only been karting for just over a year and a half. “I wanted to go karting because I tried it once and immediately loved it. The first time was on holiday, in a rental kart, and I loved the speed.” What he enjoys most are still overtaking and speed. “The hardest part is learning how to brake because braking is the most important thing. I want to brake like Max Verstappen.”
Judging by Sunday’s result, he may well be on his way. Before his victory at Genk, his best result had been a second place. Following this first win, he now sits third in the championship standings and can set his sights even higher: “I can still fight for second place.”
Zyed’s next race will be the final round of the Benelux championship, which will take place next month at the Mariembourg circuit. He may also compete in a round of the GK4 Kart Series. “For the final round, I’m going to try to give it my very best and try to finish first!”
Zyed Dieudonne would like to thank Didier Monin for his support, kindness and presence; Caren Burton for everything he has done for him and for providing the chassis; his coach Enzo Leveque for all his valuable advice; his parents; and everyone who supports him and congratulated him on his victory.
In competition, Zyed Dieudonne is supported by Coffee Beanz, Crescendo PL Cars and SLC Carrosserie.