GENK – Setting the fastest time in qualifying was only the beginning of what would turn into an exceptional weekend. On Sunday, young karting talent Milo Cornil won the fifth round of the IAME Series Benelux. At the Genk circuit, the eleven-year-old from Vaudignies was the standout driver in the Mini class, making it his second victory of the season. “When I crossed the finish line, I was really happy to have scored points for the championship and to be on the podium,” says Milo.
He finished fifth in the first qualifying heat and third in the second. Then came an exciting final, during which he overtook several drivers. “But none of the overtakes were really difficult. I always drive by feel, so it doesn’t really seem difficult to me,” he explains. “Even though there are some great battles sometimes.” At the chequered flag, the victory was his, and Milo now has a strong lead in the championship standings.
Milo has also been running at the front at other circuits this season. Things went well at Mariembourg, while Ostricourt proved just a little more challenging. “I was running in P3, but then I received a penalty for a pushed-in front bumper (a three-second penalty, ed.),” Milo recalls about Mariembourg. “At Ostricourt, I finished fourth. And at Spa-Francorchamps, I was really happy because I scored my first victory there. I followed all the advice from my team, and that’s what made it work.”
It all started at an indoor karting track in Brussels. That was where Milo first climbed into a kart, and it was also where he won his first medal. He has been karting since the age of four, initially in a four-stroke kart and, from the age of six, in a two-stroke. Milo explains: “I started karting because I want to race single-seaters later on.”
That is something for the future. For now, what matters is what happens on the karting track. What Milo enjoys most about kart racing is the speed. The biggest challenge for him is staying focused throughout an entire race. But he is getting better and better at it. “When I’m sitting in my kart waiting for the start, I focus as much as possible and go into my own bubble.” He learned how to do that by watching Formula 1 races on television. His role model is Max Verstappen. “He doesn’t overthink it. He just goes for it.”
This season, Milo is racing for Spirit Karting and VDK Racing, with support from Romuald Couture, Luc, Ken, the owner of Spirit Karting, and Eric, the owner of VDK Racing. Together, they form a top-level team that will support him through the remainder of the season, including the final round of the IAME Series Benelux in Mariembourg and the final round of the Euro Series in Genk.
After that comes the IAME Warrior Final in Italy, the unofficial world championship for IAME drivers, followed by a race at the Franciacorta circuit in the highly competitive OKJ category. For now, however, Milo is mainly focused on the final round of the IAME Series Benelux: “There’s still one round to go. I want to win it, because then I’ll be Belgian champion!”
Milo Cornil would like to thank Ken, Eric, Luc, Romuald Couture and his parents, who have all helped him improve and grow in confidence.