Karting Archives

From karting prodigy to F1 World Champion: How Kimi Antonelli conquered the junior categories on his way to the F1 title

How Kimi Antonelli conquered the junior categories on his way to becoming the youngest F1 World Champion

Karishma Persad6 days ago6 days ago020 mins

Kimi Antonelli’s journey to becoming the youngest F1 World Champion in history began long before his breakthrough with Mercedes. From an early introduction to karting to championship-winning campaigns in F4 and Formula Regional, the Italian established himself as one of the most successful young drivers of his generation before taking an unconventional route into F2….

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Arthur Eschalier reflects on karting's lessons in patience, resilience and self-belief as he continues to build his racing career.

Racing up the ladder | Learning to stand back up: Arthur Eschalier on karting’s lasting lessons

Karishma Persad6 days ago2 weeks ago07 mins

Karting gave Arthur Eschalier his first experience of competitive motorsport, but its influence reached far beyond learning how to control a racing machine. It shaped the way he handled pressure, responded to setbacks and understood the personal qualities needed to keep moving forward. In an exclusive interview with Pit Debrief, Eschalier reflected on the lessons…

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Qarrar Firhand stays with Fortec for the 2026 GB4 Winter Series at Snetterton after securing the WSK Euro Series OK karting title.

Qarrar Firhand stays with Fortec Motorsports for 2026 GB4 Winter Series

Karishma Persad3 weeks ago3 weeks ago06 mins

Indonesian karting champion Qarrar Firhand will make his GB4 Championship debut with Fortec Motorsports during the inaugural Winter Series at Snetterton on 24–25 October 2026. The 15-year-old will continue with the British outfit after making his first single-seater appearances in the final two rounds of the British F4 Championship. Firhand enters the event following a…

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Gianna Pascoal joins Pace Performance for a GB4 Winter Series debut at Snetterton, bringing rich South African karting experience.

Gianna Pascoal joins Pace Performance for 2026 GB4 Winter Series debut

Karishma Persad3 weeks ago3 weeks ago06 mins

South African karting talent Gianna Pascoal will make her GB4 Championship debut with Pace Performance during the inaugural Winter Series at Snetterton on 24–25 October 2026, marking an important step in her transition to single-seater racing. The 16-year-old joins the British team following a successful karting career, which has included runner-up finishes in South Africa’s…

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Arthur Eschalier reflects on speed, control and the surprise karting win which transformed a casual outing into a racing ambition.

Racing up the ladder | “I couldn’t go back” — Arthur Eschalier on the victory that launched his journey

Karishma Persad2 months ago2 months ago06 mins

Arthur Eschalier’s journey into motorsport did not begin with a childhood spent chasing a racing dream. Before karting became the centre of his life, he tried several sports, searching for something that could hold his attention and give him a real sense of purpose. In an exclusive interview with Pit Debrief, Eschalier reflected on how…

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Rafael Vaessen discusses mental resilience, learning to reset after setbacks, and the family support that keeps him grounded.

Racing up the ladder | “Learn how to reset and go forward” — Rafael Vaessen on resilience in racing

Karishma Persad5 months ago5 months ago011 mins

For Rafael Vaessen, some of the most important lessons in motorsport have come from the racing weekends that did not go to plan. While karting often gives young drivers their first experience of racecraft, pressure, and competition, it also teaches them how quickly momentum can change. A strong start to a weekend can disappear through…

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Luka Sammalisto reflects on karting lessons, racecraft, focus, and the challenges of stepping up to Formula 4 cars.

Racing up the ladder | Luka Sammalisto discusses karting lessons, Formula 4 challenges, and the demands of single-seaters

Karishma Persad5 months ago5 months ago07 mins

Karting gives young drivers more than their first experience of racing. It builds racecraft, discipline, resilience, and the ability to manage pressure from an early stage. For Luka Sammalisto, those lessons formed a crucial part of his development before he stepped into single-seaters. As he progressed through international karting and then moved into Formula 4,…

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Rafael Vaessen reflects on his early karting experiences, time away from racing, and the return that reignited his career.

Racing up the ladder | “It felt so natural” — Rafael Vaessen on his journey back to racing

Karishma Persad5 months ago5 months ago013 mins

For Rafael Vaessen, the road back to racing has been as important as the road into it. While many junior drivers build their careers through a continuous climb from karting to cars, Vaessen’s journey has taken a different shape. His introduction to motorsport came early, through family, but his relationship with racing changed over time….

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Luka Sammalisto reflects on karting, Formula 4 growth, key lessons, racing idols, and his ambition to fight for the title.

Racing up the ladder | From Finnish karting to Italian F4: Luka Sammalisto on growth, ambition and racing idols

Karishma Persad5 months ago5 months ago010 mins

Luka Sammalisto’s journey through motorsport has developed through persistence, adaptation, and a clear sense of ambition. From his earliest years in karting to his progression into Italian Formula 4, Sammalisto has built his career around learning from setbacks, seizing opportunities, and continuing to refine the foundations that shaped him. After beginning in karting at a…

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Del Grosso reflects on European racing, Ginetta lessons, and GB4 preparation, highlighting development, discipline, and resilience.

Racing up the ladder | “I just love pushing myself to the limit” — How Emmilio Valentino Del Grosso approaches his development in European competition

Karishma Persad6 months ago6 months ago07 mins

Emmilio Valentino Del Grosso continues to build a clear and structured path through the junior motorsport ranks, combining on-track progression with a strong emphasis on physical and mental development. Having already experienced the intensity of European competition and the demands of transitioning into car racing, he approaches each step with a focus on long-term improvement…

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