MANAMA – 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.
“This does pose a bit of a problem—how are we ever going to top this?” joked Maurits, who, like his son, is supported by sponsor MultiBel. “Matching it would already be a huge challenge. What a result! When Sem was four or five, I finished third at La Conca. He dreamed of racing there himself one day. I never imagined he would actually win.”
Yet that’s exactly what happened. Sem drove an almost flawless weekend. In the pre-final, he produced a brilliant move to pass the race leader, take the win, and secure pole position for the final. Nothing was handed to him, though the competition was fierce. And even though Sem knew he was among the favorites, the talented driver wasn’t taking anything for granted. “It’s not over until the flag drops,” the Utrecht-based racer said.
Naturally, he was delighted with the result. “This isn’t just any title; it’s the biggest Rotax title you can win. Our team, Daems Racing, had everything perfectly dialled in.” Maurits added, “It was a true team effort. At a European Championship, some teams test for weeks beforehand, but here you get five or six sessions, and you have to nail it as a technician.”
When Sem crossed the line, both father and son knew they were World Champions. Maurits had wrapped up his title a short while earlier. “It’s the first time in Rotax history this has happened,” Sem said proudly. “Last year, we shared a podium for the first time as a family. Dad won the E20 Masters class, and I finished second. Now we’ve both won.”
Maurits, modest as ever, downplayed his own achievement: “Of course it’s special, but we went there with a mission. Sem has won a lot this season and went to Bahrain to win. I went mainly to watch Sem race and took part in the E20 Masters. I race at a different level than Sem, but I did want to become champion again. I managed to defend my title—but it feels a hundred times better that Sem is champion too.”
Sem’s world title capped a season in which he finished second in the European Championship, won the BNL series, and dominated the Le Mans International Trophy, winning everything except the final. Having his grandparents and the younger kids present in Bahrain made it even more special. Maurits: “That really completed the moment for us.”
Their ambition for next year is clear: win everything. Sem: “We want to match our Grand Finals result and also take other titles.” Maurits: “It’s been a fantastic year. We’ll work hard and make sure we’re ready for 2026.”
Remarkably, Sem won the highest Rotax title while combining karting with his master’s degree at Nyenrode Business University. Having passed all his exams in one go, he was able to travel to Bahrain. He expressed gratitude to the university for their flexibility. “It allows me to combine a master’s degree with competing at the highest level in Rotax. I’m extremely grateful for that!”
Sem and Maurits extend their thanks to: Jan Daems, Max Timmermans, Daems Racing, mechanics Jules Afonso and Joost van der Pol, and their sponsor MultiBel.
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