The 2025 FIA Karting World Championship for the OK and OK-Junior categories took place from 11th to 14th September at the historic Åsum Ring in Kristianstad, Sweden. As always at this level, the sporting intensity was at its peak, with a world title awarded on a single event, in an atmosphere combining suspense and twists and turns. The unpredictable weather on the south-east coast of Sweden did nothing to make things easier for the 217 drivers taking part (109 in OK-Junior, 108 in OK), adding an element of uncertainty to the competition.
On Sunday, the weather continued to play havoc. The morning Super Heats took place in changeable conditions, with drivers switching between rain tyres and slicks on a tricky track, forcing drivers and teams to show anticipation and composure. But in the early afternoon, the sun finally returned and the two Finals were able to take place in dry conditions, with temperatures around 18°C.
OK: solid performances and spectacular comebacks
Among the OK drivers, Aston Sharp (CL Racing Team) particularly distinguished himself with an impressive comeback of 22 places in the Final. After losing a heat and encountering difficulties in the Super Heat, which forced him to start 30th on the grid, he reacted with panache to take a very fine 8th place at the end of a perfectly controlled Final.
Noah Wolfe (VAR by Birelart) also stood out throughout the weekend. Regularly at the front despite a difficult result in one heat, he took a fine 2nd place in a Super Heat contested in the rain, which allowed him to qualify 8th for the Final. Always well placed in the top 10, he unfortunately saw his chances of a good result disappear on the last lap of the Final after being taken off the track by another competitor. He finally finished 31st, but demonstrated the full potential of the Birelart-TM package, especially on a changing track.
Vladimir Ivannikov showed great consistency. After qualifying in the middle of the grid, he made it into the top five in a wet Super Heat and was in the top 10 at the halfway stage. He then battled hard in the Final to finish 22nd against some very strong competition. Toby Gale had a more turbulent race, forced to retire in the Super Heat before climbing back up to 25th place in the Final. Joel Pohjola (CL Racing Team) mastered the wet conditions to finish 9th in the Super Heat and then 28th in the Final.
OK-Junior: Mazzola goes the distance
In OK-Junior, Ludovico Mazzola showed his fighting spirit. Despite a difficult Qualifying session, he made a strong comeback to finish 9th in the Super Heat on a wet track, securing his place in the Final where he finished 32nd after a penalty.
Team Manager Jordon Lennox's reaction
"Kristianstad will be remembered as a weekend where every driver showed total commitment in demanding conditions. The performance was there when it mattered, and Aston's top 10 finish proves the competitiveness of our equipment. Vladimir and Noah showed their ability to fight at the front, while our juniors never gave up, even when success was not forthcoming. We will take the positives, learn from our setbacks, and come back stronger for the next event."
Heading to Franciacorta for the next round
The team is now looking ahead to the next big event: the FIA Karting KZ World Championship, the KZ2 World Cup and the KZ2-Masters International Super Cup, which will take place in Franciacorta (Italy) from 9th to 12th October 2025. Among the entrants will be Noah Wolfe, who is competing in a double programme in OK and KZ2 this season, gaining valuable experience against more experienced opponents in the gearbox category.