Portimao - Competitive action finally got underway at the 2026 Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals on Thursday. Following Wednesday's complete cancellation due to severe weather, the more than 400 drivers returned to the Kartódromo Internacional do Algarve for qualifying and the opening heats. Constantly changing track conditions made life particularly challenging, with rain and drying surfaces playing a major role throughout the day. The first pole positions were decided, while the opening races delivered remarkably close finishes, impressive recoveries and several surprises.
Changing Conditions and Thrilling Opening Heats Shake Up Rotax Grand Finals in Portimão
• Qualifying and the first heats deliver exciting battles across all nine categories
• Kenney and Oman claim narrow Mini MAX victories, while Charman storms from 14th to victory in Senior MAX
• Unpredictable weather adds another challenge as drivers fight for their places in Saturday's Finals
After two days of free practice and an unexpected weather-related break, the competition entered its decisive phase. With the Pre-Finals removed from the revised schedule, every qualifying result and heat position has become even more important on the road to Saturday's Finals.
The unpredictable Portuguese weather added another dimension to the challenge. Some qualifying sessions took place in very different conditions, while several heats were contested on wet or drying surfaces. Adapting quickly to changing grip levels proved particularly important.
With identical-specification equipment supplied within the respective categories, the Rotax Grand Finals once again place the emphasis on driving ability, preparation and teamwork. Thursday's action demonstrated just how competitive the international field has become.
Micro MAX
The youngest competitors opened their first competitive day with a strong qualifying performance from Artur Ernst (Poland). Representing ERNST RACING, he secured pole position with a 1:17.474, finishing 0.284 seconds ahead of Arthur Bowers (United Kingdom). Freddie Baker (United Kingdom) completed the top three.
The opening heat brought a change at the front. Starting third, Baker converted his strong qualifying result into victory, finishing just 0.295 seconds ahead of Jayan Prakash (United Kingdom). One of the most impressive performances came from Nico Thomasen (New Zealand). Having already established himself among the most consistent drivers during free practice, Thomasen climbed from ninth on the grid to third and recorded the fastest race lap. Pole-sitter Ernst eventually finished fourth, followed by Hao-Xuan Qian (China). With Baker claiming the opening victory and Thomasen continuing his strong form, the battle in Micro MAX remains wide open.
Mini MAX
Few categories delivered closer racing than Mini MAX, where the two opening heats were decided by a combined margin of just 0.128 seconds.
Oscar Kenney (United Kingdom) confirmed his impressive practice form by securing pole position with a 1:05.091. The 11-year-old, who earned his Grand Finals ticket at the 2026 Euro Trophy event in Genk, then converted his front-row advantage into victory in Heat A–B.
However, the HUNTER MOTORSPORT driver faced strong opposition. Chinnaphat Vejabhuti (Thailand) charged from sixth on the grid to finish just 0.060 seconds behind Kenney, while Teddy Murphy (United Kingdom) completed the podium after starting tenth.
The second heat produced an equally thrilling finish. Austin Oman (United Kingdom), winner of the 2026 RMC International Trophy in Le Mans, started second and fought his way to victory. The margin over pole-sitter Mathias Drexler (Austria) was only 0.068 seconds. Joshua Cooke (United Kingdom) secured third place and recorded the fastest lap of the race.
With Kenney and Oman both celebrating opening heat victories, two of the leading pre-event contenders have already confirmed their ambitions.
E10 Mini
The first competitive action in the new E10 Mini category delivered another exciting battle. Kir Ivanov (United Arab Emirates) continued his promising form from the final wet practice session by securing pole position with a 1:19.213. Yen-Mong Lai (Chinese Taipei) followed in second, while Jamal Pumuram (United Kingdom) completed the top three.
But the opening heat brought a surprise. Starting sixth, Karl Larsson (Sweden) produced an impressive performance to take victory in the electric category. The 4WIN RACE ACADEMY driver crossed the finish line just 0.069 seconds ahead of Buddy Hugo (United Kingdom), who had started fifth.
Pole-sitter Ivanov completed the podium, only 0.601 seconds behind the winner. Further down the order, Ascanio Cardin (Italy) climbed from 15th to fourth, while Ruhan Victor (South Africa) made an even greater recovery, advancing from 21st to fifth. The narrow winning margin and several strong recoveries underline the competitive nature of the new E10 Mini category.
Junior MAX
The 72-driver Junior MAX field faced particularly challenging wet conditions during the opening heats. Qualifying belonged to defending Grand Finals champion Majus Mazinas (Lithuania). The PILENAI RACING driver secured the fastest overall qualifying classification with a 1:00.603, underlining his ambition to defend the title.
The following heat then produced a different winner. Nikita Ljubimov (Estonia) started fifth in Heat A–B and delivered a strong performance to claim victory. The TALVAR RACING driver also recorded the fastest lap, finishing 7.220 seconds ahead of Teo Policand (France), who made an impressive recovery from 12th on the grid. Reigning Euro Trophy champion Zdenek Babicek (Czech Republic) completed the top three after starting ninth, while Mazinas finished fourth.
In Heat C–D, Nik Brecelj (Slovenia) converted his pole position into a victory. The SSC SPORTSTIL driver finished 4.170 seconds ahead of Oliver Spencer (United Arab Emirates), who advanced from seventh to second and set the fastest lap. Albert Friend (United Kingdom), winner of the 2026 RMC International Trophy in Le Mans, secured third place.
Provisional Results: Senior MAX
Senior MAX produced one of the standout performances of the day, with a remarkable recovery from the middle of the grid. Qualifying saw Isaac Malcuit (United States) secure pole position with a 1:00.111. Ratchatrat Ananthakhan (Thailand) followed in second place, while Yam Pinto (Israel) completed the top three.
The opening A–B heat was won by Franciszek Sulima (Poland). Starting fifth, the BAMBINI RACING driver moved through the field to claim victory by just 0.447 seconds over Toby Gale (Thailand), who had started eighth. Pole-sitter Malcuit completed the podium, with Austin Lee (Germany) securing fourth.
It was Heat C–D that stole the headlines. Ewan Charman (United Kingdom), who had already demonstrated impressive speed during Tuesday's practice sessions, started from 14th position. The HUNTER MOTORSPORT driver fought his way through the field and took the lead on lap seven before provisionally claiming victory. Charman also recorded the fastest lap and eventually finished 1.225 seconds ahead of defending Grand Finals champion Macauley Bishop (United Kingdom), who had started ninth. Sean Butcher (United Kingdom) completed the podium after moving forward from eighth.
Charman's recovery from 14th to victory was one of the most impressive performances of the opening racing day and further strengthened his position among the leading contenders.
E20 Senior
The electric E20 Senior category also delivered an interesting change of order between qualifying and the opening heat. Antoni Kugacz (Poland) secured pole position with a 1:14.353, finishing 0.278 seconds ahead of Akos Madaras (Hungary). Maksymilian Lupa (Poland) completed the top three.
Later, the opening race belonged to Lucas Pinheiro da Sá (Portugal). Starting fourth, the Portuguese driver produced a strong performance to take victory on home soil. Representing RUI SANTOS, he finished 1.667 seconds ahead of pole-sitter Kugacz. Another notable recovery came from Adam Szabo (Hungary). The 2026 Euro Trophy winner started from 11th position and fought his way to third. Andrea Remy (United Arab Emirates) recorded the fastest lap and finished fourth after a five-second penalty, while Anna Benedek (Hungary) completed the top five.
E20 Masters
The experienced E20 Masters competitors also produced a change at the front. Carl Cleirbaut (Belgium), who had been among the strongest drivers throughout free practice, secured pole position with a 1:14.674. Roman Jager (Germany) followed in second, while Tommy Kvakkesta Nordvang (Norway) completed the top three.
Michel Aboissa (Brazil) emerged as the strongest driver in the opening heat. Starting fourth, Aboissa moved into the lead and claimed victory for entrant LEANDRO KUHN, crossing the finish line 2.588 seconds ahead of pole-sitter Cleirbaut. A particularly impressive recovery came from Luis Felipe Capamadjian (Peru). Starting eighth, he climbed to third and recorded the fastest lap of the race. Jorge Matos (Ecuador) also made significant progress, advancing from ninth to fourth, while Michele Burzese (Switzerland) completed the top five.
Provisional Results: MAX DD2
The powerful MAX DD2 category produced two different heat winners and several impressive performances in challenging conditions. Kian Burnard (United Kingdom) secured overall pole position with a 1:09.551, ahead of three-time Grand Finals winner Mark Kimber (United Kingdom). Axel Saarniala (Finland) followed in third.
The opening A–B heat went to Hannes Morin (Sweden). Starting sixth, the KRAFT MOTORSPORT driver delivered a strong performance to provisionally take victory by 2.096 seconds over Kimber. Pole-sitter Burnard completed the podium, followed by David Aulejtner (Poland) and Afonso Ferreira (Portugal).
In Heat C–D, Vigor Hjorvard (Sweden) produced a convincing performance. Starting second, he led all ten laps to claim victory, finishing 10.191 seconds ahead of Jakub Bezel (Czech Republic). One of the most impressive recoveries came from Julian Closmann (Netherlands). Starting 14th, he climbed eleven positions to finish third and recorded the fastest lap of the race.
Provisional Results: MAX DD2 Masters
The MAX DD2 Masters category brought together several experienced Grand Finals competitors, with both former champions and established contenders fighting at the front. Nicolas Picot (France), winner of the Grand Finals in 2024 and reigning Euro Trophy champion, secured pole position with a 1:14.006. Just 0.098 seconds separated him from Jannik Nielsen (Denmark), while defending Grand Finals champion Martynas Tankevicius (Lithuania) qualified third.
Today´s heat then brought the reigning champion to the front. Starting third, Tankevicius delivered a strong performance to provisionally claim victory. The Lithuanian also recorded the fastest lap and finished 2.395 seconds ahead of Nielsen. Pole-sitter Picot completed the podium, followed by Jim Ringelberg (Netherlands) and Ricards Kalnciems (Latvia).
Final Grid Positions to Be Decided on Friday
After an action-packed Thursday, the 2026 Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals are entering their most decisive phase. The opening qualifying sessions and heats have already demonstrated the strength and depth of the international competition. Narrow winning margins, impressive recoveries and changing track conditions have created an exciting starting point for the remaining races.
Friday, November 13, will see the completion of the qualifying heats across all nine categories.
Depending on the class, drivers will complete either two or three heats in total, with the combined classifications determining who advances to Saturday's Finals. Only the top 36 drivers in each applicable classification will qualify for the final races. With the Pre-Finals cancelled due to the revised schedule, the remaining heats carry additional importance.
Saturday, November 14, will bring the Grand Finals and Prize Giving Ceremony, when the winners of the 26th Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals will be crowned.