With all on-track and off-track activities cancelled today due to severe weather conditions, the 2026 Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals are experiencing an unexpected break before the decisive racing action begins. The opening two days of free practice at the Kartódromo Internacional do Algarve have provided an early indication of the competitive order. From former Grand Finals champions to promising young talents, several drivers have already established themselves among the leading contenders.
Grand Finals Contenders: Who will lead the fight for victory in Portimão?
Two days of practice reveal the leading contenders across all nine categories. Former Grand Finals champions face emerging talents and strong wet-weather performers. All activities were cancelled today due to severe weather – Qualifying and opening heats are scheduled for Thursday. The 424 registered competitors faced contrasting conditions during Monday's and Tuesday's practice sessions. While Monday provided dry running, Tuesday's sessions took place on drying and wet surfaces, testing the drivers' ability to adapt to changing grip levels.
The Grand Finals' unique equal-equipment concept, featuring standardised chassis packages and randomly allocated brand-new karts, places particular emphasis on driving ability, adaptability and teamwork. Although practice results cannot provide a definitive prediction, repeated front-running performances and previous international achievements offer some interesting clues ahead of tomorrow's qualifying sessions.
Established Champions and New Challengers
Micro MAX
Nico Thomasen (New Zealand, Right Karts) has emerged as one of the most consistent contenders, finishing inside the top five in all five practice sessions. Vladislav Richa Chekulaev (Russia, AVIAGAMMA) topped the timesheets twice, including in wet conditions, while Freddie Baker (United Kingdom, RCE), winner of the 2026 RMC Winter Trophy, also belongs among the drivers to watch.
Mini MAX
The battle looks particularly open in this highly competitive 72-driver field. Albi-Jay Stubbs (United Arab Emirates, Al Ain Raceway) repeatedly featured near the front, while Jan Wozniak (Poland, KRZ Motosport) and Robin Raikkonen (Italy, Kartshop.ch) impressed in wet conditions - topping his wet practice group by 0.377 seconds. Austin Oman (United Kingdom, Sam Pollitt Racing), winner of the 2026 RMC International Trophy in Le Mans, and Oscar Kenney (United Kingdom, Hunter Motorsport) add further international experience to the list of contenders.
E10 Mini
Local favourite Martim Gomes (Portugal, Renato Gomes) has delivered one of the most consistent performances across the entire field. The 12-year-old Portuguese E10 Mini champion finished inside the top three in all five sessions, including two fastest times. Kir Ivanov (United Arab Emirates, Al Ain Raceway) demonstrated his wet-weather potential by leading the final practice, just 0.062 seconds ahead of Gomes.
Junior MAX
Martin Soltys (Slovakia, KRK Racing) impressed with four top-four finishes in four practice sessions. An exciting battle is also developing between reigning Euro Trophy champion Zdenek Babicek (Czech Republic, Tepz Racing Team) and Le Mans winner Albert Friend (United Kingdom, Dan Holland Racing). Just 0.033 seconds separated them in Tuesday's wet session. Defending Grand Finals Junior MAX champion Majus Mazinas (Lithuania, Pilenai Racing) remains another serious contender.
Senior MAX
Defending Grand Finals winner Macauley Bishop (United Kingdom, Strawberry Racing) is aiming to retain his title after also securing the 2026 RMC Winter Trophy. Ewan Charman (United Kingdom, Hunter Motorsport) made a strong impression by topping both of Tuesday's ODD-group sessions, while Freddie Lloyd (United Kingdom, Team Evolution) demonstrated his potential with the fastest time in the wet EVEN-group practice.
E20 Senior
Akos Madaras (Hungary, KMS Europe) demonstrated impressive consistency with four top-three finishes across five sessions. Antoni Kugacz (Poland, Blue Racing) led the final wet practice, while Adam Szabo (Hungary, LS VT Powerteam), who secured his Grand Finals ticket with victory in Trinec, also ranks among the leading contenders.
E20 Masters
Carl Cleirbaut (Belgium, Bouvin Power) and Michel Aboissa (Brazil, Leandro Kuhn) have produced repeated front-running performances. Cleirbaut, who secured his Grand Finals ticket in Genk, topped two sessions. However, Leandro Iglesias (Argentina) delivered one of the most remarkable wet-weather performances, leading the final practice by almost one second.
MAX DD2
Three-time Grand Finals winner Mark Kimber (United Kingdom, Daems Racing Team) has underlined his credentials with four consecutive top-two results in his practice group. Kian Burnard (United Kingdom, Sam Pollitt Racing) has been equally consistent in the other group, finishing inside the top three in all four sessions. Lenn Nijs (Belgium, Schepers Racing Service) demonstrated his potential with two fastest times, while reigning Euro Trophy champion Jakub Bezel (Czech Republic, Kraft Motorsport) remains another experienced challenger.
MAX DD2 Masters
Jack Dex (United Kingdom, JDR), winner of the 2026 RMC International Trophy in Le Mans, impressed with two second-place finishes on Tuesday. Matias Rodriguez (Argentina) had previously dominated Monday's dry sessions, topping both classifications. With former Grand Finals champion and reigning Euro Trophy winner Nicolas Picot (France) also in contention, the battle for MAX DD2 Masters honours promises to be particularly competitive.
Qualifying takes centre stage tomorrow
While the drivers and teams remain off the track today, preparations are focused on the decisive phase of the 2026 Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals. Racing is scheduled to resume tomorrow, Thursday, November 12, with Qualifying Practice and Heat 1. Heats 2 and 3 follow on Friday, before Saturday's Finals and Prize Giving Ceremony bring the event to its conclusion. The originally scheduled Pre-Finals have been cancelled.
Watch the action live on the YouTube Channel starting at 08:30 local time.