Under sunny skies, temperatures rose from 17 to 20 degrees during the Qualifying sessions, while pressure was also high among drivers and teams. With around 250 drivers spread across three categories, it was essential to secure a good position before the start of the Qualifying Heats. Three drivers have already achieved their first goal in Italy, that of securing pole position: Germany's David Trefilov in the Mondokart.com FIA Karting World Championship - KZ, Maksim Orlov in the FIA Karting World Cup - KZ2 and Italy's Davide Fore in the FIA Karting International Super Cup - KZ2 Masters.
First world pole position in KZ for Trefilov
Three years after setting his fastest time in the KZ2 World Cup, David Trefilov (GER) has done it again at the highest level. "I've often been close to achieving this pole position in KZ and it's really satisfying to have succeeded. Before I set off, I knew we had everything in place to do it and it's great to have been able to confirm that," said the 22-year-old driver. Although he has done very little racing in 2025, Riccardo Longhi (ITA) has once again proved that he remains a benchmark in the category. The 2021 KZ European Champion set the fastest time in his group, less than a tenth of a second behind Trefilov.
World Karting Champion in KF-Junior in 2013, followed by a brilliant career in motor racing, in particular by a victory in the Pau F3 Grand Prix in 2016 ahead of Lance Stroll and George Russell, Alessio Lorandi (ITA) now enjoys reconnecting with his first love: karting. Still very quick, he set the third fastest time, just ahead of 2025 European Champion Mattéo Spirgel (FRA). The surprise came from Kimi Tani (FIN), who finished fifth ahead of four World Champions: Giuseppe Palomba (ITA, P6), Paolo Ippolito (ITA, P9), Lorenzo Travisanutto (ITA, P10) and Viktor Gustafsson (SWE, P11). Respectively 2024 World Vice-Champion and 2023 European Champion in KZ, Senna Van Walstijn (NED) and Danilo Albanese (ITA) slotted into 7th and 8th positions.
Top 12 in KZ Qualifying
1- Trefilov, David (GER) IPK / TM Kart / LeCont - 44.847 (Gr. 2)
2- Longhi, Riccardo (ITA) Birelart / TM Kart / LeCont - 44.914 (Gr. 1)
3- Lorandi, Alessio (ITA) Sodi / TM Kart / LeCont - 44.871 (Gr. 2)
4- Spirgel, Matteo (FRA) Sodi / TM Kart / LeCont - 44.977 (Gr. 1)
5-Tani, Kimi (FIN) Parolin / TM Kart / LeCont - 44.872 (Gr. 2)
6- Palomba, Giuseppe (ITA) Maranello / TM Kart / LeCont - 44.998 (Gr. 1)
7- Van Walstijn, Senna (NED) Sodi / TM Kart / LeCont - 44.876 (Gr. 2)
8- Albanese, Danilo (ITA) KR / IAME / LeCont - 45.008 (Gr. 1)
9- Ippolito, Paolo (ITA) KR / IAME / LeCont - 44.877 (Gr. 2)
10- Travisanutto, Lorenzo (ITA) Parolin / TM Kart / LeCont - 45.021 (Gr. 1)
11- Gustafsson, Viktor (SWE) CRG / TM Kart / LeCont - 44.891 (Gr. 2)
12 Denner, Emilien (FRA) IPK / TM Kart / LeCont - 45.088 (Gr. 1)
Reigning European Champion Maksim Orlov already leads in KZ2
With 125 drivers present at Franciacorta, the drivers were divided into four groups. Maksim Orlov set a benchmark time of 44.860 in Group 1, with a significant lead of more than two tenths of a second over his rivals. Timo Jüngling (GBR) was the fastest in Group 2 with a time of 45.004, but was unable to beat Orlov. It was the same story in Group 3 for Maximilian Schleimer (GER) with a fast 44.946, but it wasn't enough to beat the recent European Champion, who secured pole position after Group 4, led by Noah Wolfe (GBR) in 45.038.
"In this kind of competition with so many contenders for the podium, it's important to start at the front. Together with the team, we did what was necessary to adapt the chassis and engine to the specific characteristics of the Franciacorta track. However, the Final is still a long way off, so my goal is to stay focused and fast, without making any mistakes. I'm going to keep pushing until the end," commented Orlov, the driver to beat in the KZ2 category this season.
Top 12 in KZ2 Qualifying
1- Orlov, Maksim (-) Sodi / TM Racing / LeCont - 44.860 (Gr. 1)
2- Schleimer, Maximilian (GER) Sodi / TM Kart / LeCont - 44.946 (Gr. 3)
3- Jüngling, Timo (GBR) Sodi / TM Racing / LeCont - 45.004 (Gr. 2)
4- Wolfe, Noah (GBR) Birelart / TM Kart / LeCont - 45.038 (Gr. 4)
5- Morgatto, Matheus (BRA) Birelart / TM Kart / LeCont - 45.121 (Gr. 1)
6- Lehouck, Arthur (FRA) KR / IAME / LeCont - 45.110 (Gr. 3)
7- Skrivan, Marek (CZE) IPK / TM Kart / LeCont - 45.134 (Gr. 2)
8- Thien, Jayden (NED) Sodi / TM Kart / LeCont - 45.091 (Gr. 4)
9- Van Werven, Dion (NED) Sodi / TM Kart / LeCont - 45.142 (Gr. 1)
10- Urwin, Jay (NZL) Birelart / TM Kart / LeCont - 45.163 (Gr. 3)
11- Khavalkin, Anatoly (-) Parolin / TM Kart / LeCont - 45.158 (Gr. 2)
12- Civico Espona, Genis (ESP) Birelart / TM Kart / LeCont - 45.212 (Gr. 4)
KZ2 Masters: Davide Fore ahead by 43 thousandths of a second
At 51, Davide Fore (ITA) remains a formidable competitor. The Italian driver has won almost everything in karting over more than two decades, with a first European Championship title in 1994 followed by several World Championships. In 2023, Fore added the FIA Karting International Super Cup - KZ2 Masters to his list of achievements. He hopes to win it again in his home country. "I am as determined as ever. I work hard physically to be in top shape every time I get behind the wheel. The standard is high in KZ2 Masters, with new talented drivers joining the category every year. During this Qualifying session, I felt in tune with my equipment, which I used to the full to take pole position," said a delighted Fore.
For Davide Fore, the decision was made in the first group with a time of 45.545, just 43 thousandths ahead of Angelo Lombardo (ITA). Despite very little experience in FIA Karting, Luciano Medeghini caused a surprise by finishing third in this group behind the two favourites. 2024 European Champion and Group 2 leader with a time of 45.707, Riccardo Nalon (ITA) confirmed that he is a driver to watch closely. He finished ahead of Andrea Spagni (ITA) by the smallest of margins: 1 thousandth! On home soil, the Italians monopolised the top five positions in the combined standings of the two groups.
Top 12 in KZ2 Masters Qualifying
1- Fore, Davide (ITA) IPK / TM Kart / LeCont - 45.545 (Gr. 1)
2- Nalon, Riccardo (ITA) Parolin / TM Kart / LeCont - 45.707 (Gr. 2)
3- Lombardo, Angelo (ITA - Maranello / TM Kart / LeCont - 45.588 (Gr. 1)
4- Spagni, Andrea (ITA - Birelart / TM Kart / LeCont - 45.708 (Gr. 2)
5- Medeghini, Luciano (ITA) Magik / TM Kart / LeCont - 45.659 (Gr. 1)
6- Habulin, Kristijan (CRO) TB Kart / TM Kart / LeCont - 45.739 (Gr. 2)
7- Bray, Daniel (NZL) Parolin / TM Kart / LeCont - 45.666 (Gr. 1)
8- Cozzaglio, Manuel (ITA) Birelart / TM Kart / LeCont - 45.754 (Gr. 2)
9- Guéant, Julien (FRA) CRG / TM Kart / LeCont - 45.806 (Gr. 1)
10- La Martina, Alessio (ITA) KR / IAME / LeCont - 45.844 (Gr. 2)
11- Abbasse, Anthony (FRA) Sodi / TM Racing / LeCont - 45.815 (Gr. 1)
12- Haugard, Rasmus (DEN) KR / IAME / LeCont - 45.848 (Gr. 2)
Continuation of the provisional programme for the Franciacorta event
Saturday 11th October
08:00 - 09:23 Warm-up
09:35 - 17:45 Qualifying Heats
Sunday 12th October
08:30 - 09:33 Warm-up
09:45 - 12:10 Super Heats
13:10 - 13:30 Driver Presentation
13:30 - 16:30 Finals and podium ceremonies
The Franciacorta event can be followed live and free of charge via live timing and streaming on the website