Category: Non categorizzato

This weekend, from Thursday, April 9 to Sunday, April 12, the Muro Leccese circuit will host the opening round of the four-event FIA European Championship for the OK and OKJ categories. The FIA racing season officially gets underway, featuring the most prestigious meetings of the year—events that have launched the careers of today’s Formula 1 stars, from Max Verstappen (2013 champion) to Lewis Hamilton (2000 winner). Team Lenovo Kalì Kart will field two drivers in the continental series: Davide Bottaro in the premier OK class and Mark Loomets in OK Junior. Both showed strong potential in last week’s Champions of the Future pre-event, raising expectations for a competitive result. The extended race weekend at La Conca will kick off with free practice on Thursday, followed by qualifying sessions on Friday, heats on Saturday, and the final day on Sunday featuring the Super Heats in the morning and the Finals in the afternoon. A total of 95 drivers in OK and 93 in Junior, representing 50 different nations, will battle it out for one of the 36 spots available in Sunday’s Final—setting the stage for an exciting and highly competitive show. For both drivers and teams, it will be crucial to approach the event with the full four-round championship in mind, scoring valuable points right from the qualifying stages of Round 1 in Italy. In such a competitive field, qualifying is one of the key phases of the weekend and represents the first major objective for every driver. A strong qualifying result allows drivers to start at the front in the heats, manage tyre wear more effectively, and avoid the intense midfield battles. After Round 1 in Italy, the European Championship will move to Valencia, Spain, for Round 2, then to Mülsen, Germany, for Round 3, before concluding in Kristianstad, Sweden, during the first weekend of August.

To follow all the on-track action from this major FIA event, fans can visit the official website (fiakarting.com) for Live Timing and Live Streaming. Daily updates, behind-the-scenes content, and paddock insights will also be shared on Lenovo Kalì Kart’s social media channels.

LENOVO DRIVERS’ EXPECTATIONS:

Davide Bottaro (OK):
“Last week at the Champions of the Future pre-event, we gathered important data and showed excellent pace during several phases of the meeting. I secured P2 in my qualifying group and won two heats. On Sunday we faced a few issues, so the goal now is to make the most of what we learned and fight at the front. The weather forecast looks good, which should allow us to work more consistently compared to last week.”

Mark Loomets (OKJ):
“This will be my first FIA race, and I come into it with relatively limited experience in the Junior category. I’ve shown strong speed both in testing and in last week’s COTF race, but this weekend my goal—alongside pace—is to achieve greater consistency in every phase of the event. The feeling with the equipment is good, and I hope to deliver a strong qualifying result to make the heats more manageable compared to starting further back.”

The Lenovo Kalì Kart team is returning from the Viterbo circuit where it made its season debut with a double back-to-back race: on February 14 with the WSK Euro and last weekend taking part in the WSK Master Series.

If the first weekend had been significantly affected by the weather, the recently concluded race, valid as Round 3 of the WSK Master Series, provided much more reliable feedback and data after a weekend with sun and lots of on-track activity. With all the top teams on track and an Entry List with over 300 drivers, the Lenovo Kalì Kart team was able to authoritatively measure its ambitions and potential.

In the top OK class, Davide Bottaro was among the protagonists, starting this new season as well as he had finished the last one. In qualifying, Bottaro gave the team its first pole position of the season, then continued the weekend with a victory in the heats and finishing 4th in the Final. Also very positive was Mark Loomets in OKJ in his first race in this competitive and challenging category with all the best drivers in the world on track. In qualifying, he achieved 3rd place in his group, and in the Final he finished the race with an excellent pace, narrowly missing the top ten. A similar weekend for Julian Van De Coterlet in MINI, fast in all qualifying phases and 13th in the Final. Julian Rivera in OKJ did not make it to the Final, despite having raced with a very competitive pace, as well as Tariq Soofi, Eeshan Swaroop, and Filippos Troulis in MINI. For the Greek driver, despite always being very fast, some race contacts affected the results, while Soofi and Swaroop both made a big step forward in terms of performance, gaining important experience that will allow them to achieve good results soon. It should be noted that both are in their first experiences in Italy in WSK meetings and certainly have to overcome the lack of experience, even though on many occasions they have already shown the speed of the best. All the complete results of the WSK meetings are available at www.wskarting.it

The drivers’ comments

Davide Bottaro (OK): “We did a good job throughout the weekend and above all we learned a lot regarding the technical equipment and some updates we brought to the race. In the Final we lacked a bit of pace and perhaps we didn’t make all the optimal setup adjustments according to the track evolution, but there is really little missing to fight for the races, and we must continue working in this direction. The team is working well, and also TM with the engines and the on-track service from Machac Motors is giving us great support. In 15 days we will be back on track in Lonato and we will try to close this small gap to get on the podium.”

Mark Loomets (OKJ): “I am happy with my first race in OKJ. This category is very physically demanding, and in the first days I also suffered from a rib pain, but despite everything I found good lap speed and a decent pace even in the long runs. The weekend’s balance is very positive, and without a contact in the traffic on the first lap of the Final, I could have finished my first OKJ race with over 70 registered drivers in the top ten. In any case, I take home important experience for the next races, both in terms of driving and in working with the technical staff on the setup. Surely we will face some weekends more difficult than this one, but already being among the finalists is an excellent starting point for this experience with Team Lenovo. I want to thank the team and TM for this weekend, and I can’t wait to get back on track in Lonato in 2 weeks.”

Julian Van De Coterlet (MINI): “I could have finished in the top ten without the battle and the contact on the last lap of the Final that penalized me. In any case, throughout the weekend we had the speed of the best, and I am happy with the work we did with the team, and I am sure that very soon we will be able to fight for the podium. I have an excellent feeling with the chassis since the first tests this winter, and I believe there is really little missing to fight for the podium.”

Like CRG, Kalì Kart continues to follow a philosophy of continuity with its 2026 Racing chassis range. For the upcoming season across all major national markets and international competitions, the internationally homologated KK2 and KK4 chassis have been confirmed, dedicated respectively to Direct Drive and Shifter categories. Alongside these two Senior-class models, the MINI chassis is also confirmed, carrying TGroup homologation and sharing the same technical specifications as the Black Mirror model.
Across the entire Racing range, a common denominator is the technical development and upgrades transferred directly into series production, based on the experience gathered by the Kalì Kart factory team in both international and national racing. These technical solutions focus on maximizing chassis versatility, allowing easy adaptation to different track conditions and, above all, to the various tire compounds used in domestic and international competition.

Below is a quick guide to the Kalì Kart 2026 line-up.

KK2 Chassis: The KK2 chassis is built from 30 mm chrome-moly steel tubing and is specifically engineered for Direct Drive categories, both international (OK – OKJ) and major one-make series such as Rotax, IAME X30, and Rok. The frame layout follows a conventional design, with key strengths including excellent tire compatibility (both option and prime compounds) and strong driver feedback, achievable through simple setup adjustments.
The chassis is equipped with top-spec components, including magnesium wheels and accessories, the Ven 11b braking system, and the new 507/509 bodywork package. By installing the shifter and clutch lever kit, the KK2 can also be used in KZ categories when a softer, freer-rolling chassis is preferred over the traditional 32 mm frame — particularly useful on high-grip track surfaces. The 2026 livery has been completely redesigned in a white and black color scheme, accented with red and yellow graphics.

KK4 Chassis: The KK4 chassis is constructed from 32 mm chrome-moly steel tubing and is purpose-built for Shifter categories, including international KZ – KZ2 competition and gearbox classes in major one-make series such as Rotax (DD2 specification), IAME X30, and Rok. A multi-world-championship-winning platform, the KK4’s strengths lie in braking stability, traction, and lateral grip — critical performance factors in high-powered KZ racing. During the winter season, or in situations where additional grip and easier tire warm-up are required, the same chassis can be successfully configured for Direct Drive engines in DD trim, which excludes front brakes and shifter/clutch controls. Like the KK2, it features premium components including magnesium wheels and accessories, the Ven 11b braking system, and the new 507/509 bodywork. The KK4 is also homologated for the ROTAX DD2 category, which uses a dedicated transmission system. The 2026 livery mirrors the KK2 with a redesigned white and black base complemented by red and yellow graphics.

MINI Chassis (TGroup): The MINI chassis uses 28 mm chrome-moly steel tubing and carries FIA homologation for MINI classes, both at national level — including WSK events — and in the main one-make series (Rotax, IAME, and Rok). Its standout feature is an excellent baseline balance with a standard setup, enabling young drivers — even those with limited experience — to quickly find strong confidence and consistency across all tire types and track layouts. The equipment package includes high-quality components such as magnesium wheels and the hydraulic Ven 12 braking system. The 2026 MINI also features the newly redesigned white and black livery with red and yellow accents.

For more information on the 2026 chassis range, contact your local dealer and consult the detailed product technical sheets at www.kalikart.com.

The wait is over for the Lenovo Kalì Kart Team: on Saturday, February 14, the team will compete in Round 1 of the WSK Euro Series, the first race of the season. This important international event, scheduled at the Viterbo circuit, will serve as an excellent shakedown for the 2026 Kalì Kart chassis and for the new drivers who have joined the team and Lenovo’s Karting Academy project.

A total of nine drivers will line up for this first racing weekend: Davide Bottaro in the top OK class, Julian Rivera in OKJ, Mark Loomets in OKN-J, Alex Mrozik in OKN, and five drivers in Mini Gr3 (Julian Van de Coterlet, Tariq Soofi, Filippos Troulis, Eeashan Swaroop, and Aarutharan Prabu). The Lenovo team will be led trackside by Mariano De Faveri, supported by Roberto Musio as Mini category coordinator.

Starting this weekend, the team will take part in all WSK events. From May onward, the racing programs will split: OK and OKJ drivers will follow the FIA Karting calendar, competing in the COTF events, FIA European Championship, and FIA World Championship, while the OKN and Mini categories will focus on the Italian Championship. This first race weekend begins today with free practice sessions and will conclude with the Finals on Saturday, February 14. Live Timing and Live Streaming will be available on the promoter’s official website (www.wskarting.it), along with social media content shared by the team on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Team Technical Manager Mariano De Faveri introduces the weekend: “We chose to use January to prepare our season with factory activities and testing, skipping the first two races of the year. But finally, this weekend our program begins, and we will have a total of nine drivers competing. Speaking about the drivers, in the first three months of the year we will still have the opportunity to complete our line-up, with some announcements already coming in the next few days. As for the sporting programs, the Lenovo team will operate under a single structure in WSK events before splitting into two distinct directions: OK and OKJ drivers will compete in FIA events, while the OKN and Mini squad will focus on the Italian Championship. As already announced, Davide Bottaro will be our reference driver in the OK category. In OKJ, we made a bold choice by welcoming two very young drivers, Mark Loomets and Julian Rivera, both in their first season in this category. For this reason, they will need to gradually gain experience, but this decision is fully aligned with the Academy philosophy that Lenovo aims to introduce with this project. Regarding Loomets, this weekend we have chosen to register him in OKN-Junior to allow for a more gradual transition, while Rivera had already raced with us last year and will start directly in OKJ. This weekend we will also have Alex Mrozik in OKN and no fewer than five drivers in Mini — a category that will play an increasingly central role in our activities and for which we will soon announce new drivers. For now, we warmly welcome back home, under the Kalì Kart colors, Roberto Musio, who will support me as MINI coordinator.”

After the positive experience in the final two rounds of the 2025 WSK Final Cup in Cremona and Lonato, Davide Bottaro has been confirmed by Lenovo as the lead driver of the Kalì Kart partnership project within the CRG Group. Davide will compete in the OK category with an intense racing programme, focusing primarily on FIA Karting events (European Championship and World Championship), alongside participation in the Champions of the Future and a selection of WSK events.

The relationship with CRG, for which he was an official Racing Team driver in 2024 and 2025, is further strengthened with another important step in his karting career and a clear goal of achieving major results in the upcoming season. The Lenovo team aims to nurture the best talents in karting while also looking ahead to the next step into car racing, providing not only financial support but, above all, training and management guidance.

This approach was one of the key factors behind the agreement, as Davide himself explains: “Within the CRG Group I have always felt very comfortable, and last year, when I was offered the opportunity to join the Lenovo project, in addition to feeling honoured, I immediately perceived the vision and the significance of Lenovo’s entry into karting. Their ambitions and objectives are important, and being part of this team will give me great motivation. The 2026 season will be one I approach with the aim of making the most of all the experience I have gained so far. To achieve the best possible sporting results, we have planned an intense programme of tests and races, which I will try to manage alongside my school commitments. Representing such a strong and successful brand in karting — and hopefully one day in car racing as well — is an honour, but also a great opportunity for my growth as a driver in every respect.”

Within CRG’s headquarters, the guidelines for the first full season that the Lenovo Kalì Kart team will face in 2026 have been outlined. The official Kalì Kart team (a brand owned by CRG), which has been racing under the prestigious colors of its title sponsor Lenovo since last September, looks to 2026 with high ambitions, bringing to the track a broad and structured project focused particularly on youth categories.

Before announcing the driver lineup in the coming days, the team management presented the sports programs and the organizational structure of the team. Regarding the racing programs, the core of the project will be built around the MINI category for drivers aged 8 to 11, with a program that will include WSK races and the Italian Championship. For these key entry-level karting categories, the program will not be limited to MINI Gr3 races, but will also feature some appearances in the Rok Cup to build a wider base of drivers to train for future seasons and higher categories.

The team, which will manage the program based in Italy, will also have drivers in the OKN (National) categories for the 11–17 age group. Considering that the FIA World Cup OKN 2026 will be hosted in Italy at the Viterbo track, this program will also have significant sporting value and will strengthen the Kalì Kart development pathway for International categories.

The International OKJ and OK categories will represent the “pyramid’s peak” within the team’s programs, with at least four drivers taking part in the most important FIA Karting events (European Championship and World Championship). This will be the most demanding commitment from both a technical and sporting point of view, with a program of around 20 international races and the season’s highlight being the FIA World Championship scheduled for November in Bahrain.

Racing programs will, of course, be differentiated according to the categories, but in some events the team will compete in full, such as at the double event in Viterbo (WSK Euro and WSK Master next February), which will be the first official commitment of 2026. Afterwards, the team will take part in all remaining WSK events, the Italian ACI Championship, and, with the OKJ and OK categories, also in preparation races for FIA events such as the Champions of the Future.

The organizational structure that the Lenovo team is setting up in these first months of activity looks to the future, as emphasized by Marco Angeletti, CRG’s Marketing Director, who coordinates the Lenovo Kalì Kart team:

“2026 will be the first full season for the Lenovo Kalì Kart Team, and we have planned a series of strategies that can give us the best results in the medium term, considering that the partnership and goals we have developed with Lenovo’s management look ahead to the next three years. For this reason, we will have almost two distinct teams: one based in Italy focused on the MINI and OKN categories, through which we will train future drivers for International championships. Even in FIA Karting races, we wanted to keep the Academy goals of our project at the center, making agreements in the OKJ category with young drivers in whom we see potential and talent, but who will still need to follow a learning and consolidation path, especially in the first part of the season. At the same time, we will have an experienced reference driver who will provide useful feedback on technical developments and allow us to aim for notable results in the first year. Combining results and driver development will be our mission, and to achieve these objectives, we are building a solid team, not only regarding the drivers but also the overall team structure. Mariano De Faveri has been confirmed as head of the technical sector, assisted by some new staff members, while team and driver management will be coordinated together with Lenovo staff, from whom we will primarily receive technological support and, at the same time, benefit from their know-how acquired in high-level motorsport programs such as F1 and MotoGP. Their experience and authority will be a great added value for this karting partnership project and will provide our drivers with concrete support, not only in this phase of their career but also for the future, both in terms of communication and management.”

For more information on the Lenovo Kalì Kart team programs, you can visit the official website (www.kalikart.com) and the Lenovo Kalì Kart social media channels (Instagram, Facebook).

Final race of the year for the Lenovo Kalì Kart team, competing this weekend at the Lonato circuit for the Trofeo delle Industrie, with the goal of continuing technical development and driver evaluations ahead of the 2026 season.

This prestigious trophy has reached its 53rd edition and its roll of honour includes many champions who later moved into car racing and even Formula 1, such as Alex Zanardi, Giancarlo Fisichella, and Jarno Trulli.

Team Lenovo will compete with 4 drivers: newcomers Zack Zhu in OKJ and Trofim Krotov in OKN, who will join Alex Mrozik (OKN) and Dario El Malki in OKN Junior. Over 250 drivers will take part in this final international meeting of the season, and Lenovo Kalì Kart’s goal will be to continue integrating the new drivers and accumulate mileage with the 2026 chassis ahead of the first full season under the Lenovo colors.

At the same time, after two near-podiums in the last two WSK races, there is a strong desire to end the season with a podium finish—and the potential, in this regard, seems very realistic. This week’s tests provided excellent feedback, and the weather is expected to remain good until the final day, allowing for more consistent work for both technicians and drivers.

The event schedule includes timed practice on Friday morning, followed by the qualifying heats, which will continue through Saturday. The final day on Sunday will feature the pre-finals in the morning and the Finals in the afternoon, broadcast live on the promoter’s website (www.trofeodelleindustrie.it).

On Sunday, November 23rd, the Lonato circuit will host the last of the three WSK Final events, which will close the long 2026 International karting season. This important meeting will welcome as many as 400 drivers divided into seven categories: MINI U10, MINI Gr3, OKJ, OK, OKNJ, OKN and KZ2.

The Lenovo Kalì Kart Team will be competing with 5 official drivers: in MINI U10 with the pair composed of Filip Stec and Filippos Troulis, in OKJ with the American Julian Rivera, in OKN with Aleksander Mrozik, and in OK with Davide Bottaro. The Italian driver is particularly anticipated after his excellent debut in Cremona, and here on the home track of the CRG Factory he will certainly be one of the drivers to watch closely. This weekend’s race will be another step toward 2026 for the Lenovo Kalì Kart Team, as part of a process of integrating new drivers and enhancing technical activities within the team. But it will not be the last commitment of 2026; in fact, after the race in Lonato, the team will also remain to take part in the historic Trofeo delle Industrie, making the most of every opportunity to strengthen all technical areas before the winter break.

Returning to this weekend’s event, the first free practice sessions are already underway, while qualifying practice is scheduled for Friday morning. This will be followed by an intense program of heats between Friday afternoon and Saturday, leading up to Sunday’s final day with the Finals.

Live Streaming and Live Timing will be available on the promoter’s official website (www.wskarting.it) while updates and content from the paddock will, as usual, be published on the team’s social media channels.