Category: Non categorizzato

A year of hard work, training, thousands of kilometres covered during testing and preparatory races, all leading up to the event that can define an entire season. Today, the FIA World Championship for the OK and OKJ categories gets underway at the Muro Leccese circuit in Italy. The LENOVO Kalì Kart Team will be represented by three official drivers: Mark Loomets in OK Junior and Davide Bottaro and Ludovico Mazzola in OK. The team has put in an excellent performance during pre-event testing and heads into this appointment confident of being able to fight for the top positions.

A one-off championship event always involves several potential variables, from qualifying results to the outcome of the Heats. However, the feeling with the chassis in their 2027 configuration and the latest TM engine updates has been very positive during recent tests, giving the team solid reasons to be ambitious. In OKJ, Mark Loomets is ready to make the most of the experience gained with the team throughout the season. In OK, alongside the experienced Davide Bottaro, there is also great anticipation for Ludovico Mazzola’s debut, as he felt immediately comfortable with the Kalì Kart-TM technical package from the very first day of testing.

The event schedule features qualifying on Friday, followed by the Heats on Saturday. Sunday will be the decisive day, with the Super Heats in the morning and the Finals in the afternoon, where the world titles will be awarded.

To follow all the on-track action, fans can visit the official event website (www.fiakarting.com) and follow Lenovo Kalì Kart’s social media channels for all the latest updates from the paddock.

The expectations of the LENOVO Kalì Kart drivers:

Mark Loomets (OKJ): “We have consistently shown good pace during testing, but above all, we have had a great feeling with both the chassis and the engine. I want to make the most of all the work we have done with the team this year and put together a strong weekend. We have the potential, we just need to bring everything together and avoid mistakes. I really like this track and I hope to put together a good qualifying session, as it will be one of the key moments of the weekend.”

Davide Bottaro (OK): “I am confident heading into this race. We have been competitive throughout the season and have prepared for this event in the best possible way. The chassis in their 2027 configuration adapt well to all track conditions, and the engine package managed by TM also seems to be working very well. This race is the culmination of a whole year’s work, and we are all fully focused on giving our very best.”

Ludovico Mazzola (OK): “My first feedback from the team’s testing programme and the technical package was excellent. I immediately felt comfortable with the chassis and really appreciated how straightforward the basic set-up is, adapting well to all the track conditions we can encounter, from low to high grip levels. I still have a lot to learn, but I believe we can be competitive and put together a strong race weekend.”

One of the most important events of the karting season for the direct-drive categories is just around the corner. From 8 to 11 October, the Viterbo circuit will host the FIA Karting World Cup for the OKN-J and OKN categories. A total of 117 drivers in OKN-J and 149 in OKN, representing 33 different nations, will take part in this prestigious international event. The LENOVO Kalì Kart Team will line up with four official drivers: Julian Rivera and Mia Zanki in OKN-J, while Polish duo Alex Mrozik and Vincent Zarajczyk will compete in OKN. As with all FIA Karting events, Thursday will feature four free practice sessions, with the official race programme getting underway on Friday with qualifying and the opening heats. The heats will continue throughout Saturday, before the final day on Sunday, when the Super Heats will take place in the morning, followed by the Finals for the top 36 drivers after the qualifying.

The OKN-J category will run on MG tyres, as used in the Italian Championship, while the OKN class will use Maxxis tyres. Adapting to the different tyre characteristics has been one of the main focuses of the Lenovo drivers’ latest test sessions and will be a crucial factor in their performance, as LENOVO Team Technical Manager Mariano De Faveri explained:

“The latest tests were quite positive for our Junior drivers. We know the MG tyres very well and our work was mainly focused on fine-tuning a few areas. In OKN, however, both Alex and Vincent had their first experience with the Maxxis tyres, so we had to work on several areas at the same time to understand the right direction for the set-up.

“We may also face rain this weekend, particularly during the opening days, which could add another challenge. From a technical point of view, we believe we have a strong chassis-engine package, and we have followed a preparation programme that has allowed our drivers to progressively build confidence with our working methods.

“As in every one-off FIA event, qualifying will be crucial. We need to qualify well to start the heats from the front and, above all, avoid mistakes throughout the heat.”

The event will be available to follow live on the official FIA Karting YouTube channel and on the official event website, www.fiakarting.com

LENOVO DRIVERS’ EXPECTATIONS:

Julian Rivera – OKN-J: “We did a good job during the tests and now we need to put everything together without making mistakes. If we can do that, I believe we can be very competitive. There is a chance that the weather could make things more complicated, especially on the first day of free practice, but it will be the same for everyone. The team’s experience in these conditions could make a real difference.”

Mia Zanki – OKN-J: “During last week’s tests, I completed my first laps with the Kalì Kart chassis and also had my first experience working with the team. I have to say I had a very positive feeling and felt really comfortable, both with the staff and with the chassis-engine package. We made a lot of progress over the three days on track, and I believe we can have a very good weekend ahead of us.”

Alex Mrozik – OKN: “This is the most important event of the season, and we will need to put together all the experience we have gained throughout the year to achieve the best possible result. I really like this track and I have always been fast here, but I have to say that adapting to the Maxxis tyres during last week’s tests was more challenging than I expected. The braking feel is different and some of the usual references and automatisms need to be rebuilt. However, I have great confidence in the team and I am sure we will find the right way to optimise the performance and make the most of my driving style.”

Vincent Zarajczyk – OKN: “I had a good feeling during the latest tests and I believe we completed a strong programme. Now it is time to put everything together and reap the rewards of the work we have done, not only last week but throughout the season. There are many competitive drivers and nothing will come easy, but I believe we have everything we need to put together a really strong race weekend.”

A significant part of the 2026 season is already behind us, but the most important chapter is still to come. The FIA European Championship, Champions of the Future and the majority of the WSK events have now been completed after a busy first half of the year. Following the summer break, the team’s focus shifts to the two headline events of the season: the FIA World Cup OK-N & OK-N Junior in Viterbo (7–11 October) and the FIA Karting World Championship OK & OKJ in Muro Leccese (5–8 November). Both events will take place in Italy, where the Lenovo Kalì Kart Team will arrive with ambitious targets.

2026 has effectively marked Lenovo’s debut season in international karting, laying the foundations for the long-term growth of this ambitious Academy project. The vision is clear: to build a bridge between Lenovo’s top-level involvement in Formula 1 and grassroots motorsport, with karting representing the first step on the pathway towards professional racing.

Before the FIA World Cup, the team will contest the final round of the Italian Championship at Viterbo on 27 September. Racing on the same circuit, it will provide an invaluable benchmark ahead of the international meeting just two weeks later.

Although the competitive season still has plenty to offer, it is already possible to draw an initial assessment of this prestigious partnership. Marco Angeletti, CRG Marketing Director, reflects on the project’s first year: “The Lenovo Karting Project has been conceived with a medium-term vision. Our objective is to support talented young drivers throughout a development pathway that begins in karting and ultimately leads them into single-seaters and professional motorsport. Achieving that ambition naturally requires time, because development must happen on several levels. The first priority is identifying and nurturing the right drivers, and the opening season inevitably provides the least amount of information when defining the most effective line-up. Together we made shared decisions, often choosing to invest in very young talents who are only at the beginning of their international careers. Drivers such as Mark Loomets and Julian Rivera represent exactly this philosophy: they are building experience today in order to reach their sporting potential next season. For that reason, we also wanted an experienced reference within the team, and Davide Bottaro has played that role perfectly. Beyond being a benchmark for our younger drivers, he has consistently delivered front-running performances in the premier OK category, including two pole positions during the first half of the season. His entire programme has been built around the FIA World Championship in Muro Leccese, and we believe we can be genuine contenders there. We are equally proud of the work completed within our MINI programme. The upcoming promotion of Mateo García and Julian Van de Coterlet into the Junior category demonstrates the development pathway we have designed, with both drivers completing a full season of preparation within the Academy. During the second half of the year, the Junior squad will also welcome Mia Zanki, from the F1 Academy programme, and South African talent Brodi Dowling. Both drivers will strengthen the team competitively while perfectly aligning with Lenovo’s EMEA marketing strategy. Naturally, this first season has also provided valuable lessons. It has helped us redefine certain technical priorities and optimise future investments. We are convinced that the Academy is most effective when managing no more than ten drivers across the Under-16 categories — MINI, Junior and OK — and this principle is already shaping our plans for 2027. At the same time, we are working to dramatically expand the integration of Lenovo technology throughout the project. From increasingly advanced telemetry and data acquisition systems to customised high-performance computing solutions and enhanced driver coaching programmes, every department is evolving. We have clear objectives, exceptional tools and a group of drivers who are becoming progressively more integrated into our working methodology. As we approach the two FIA World Championships, our goal is simple: to transform months of hard work, passion and commitment from every member of the team into results worthy of the project we are building. With the foundations now firmly in place, the Lenovo Kalì Kart Team enters the decisive phase of the 2026 season determined to fight at the front on the sport’s biggest stage.”

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.”