We met the French driver a few days after his second consecutive European title. His passion for shifter karting is genuine, and his dedication to the sport is total: the current season is his main focus, with a very clear goal set for October… (fm)
Published: 24 July 2025
Columns: Interview
Despite having an Italian first name, there are no Italian ancestors in Matteo Spirgel’s family tree. Having turned 18 in April, he is the new European KZ Champion and was already the continental champion last year in KZ2. His story is somewhat unusual compared to today’s karting scene: beginning with all the promotional categories, a long experience in Rotax, and then making the big jump to KZ as soon as age permitted, after a very brief stint in OKJ. Skipping OK is not common, and the results in KZ speak for themselves — Matteo is not an ordinary driver. In everyday life, he studies Engineering because, as he says, everyone needs a Plan B.
Tell us more about your very first approach to karting. Was that a family heritage or you started as the first ever in the family?
« I was born into a family of racing drivers. My grandfather, my two uncles (including a well-known one: Gianni Palmieri), and my father were all drivers in the past. Later on, my father created his own karting team, which competes at the national level. From the moment I was born, he took me to the tracks. I grew up in that environment and instantly loved it. Watching karts race from the sidelines made me want to be out there on the track myself. At the age of 7, I tried a competition kart for the first time, and that experience confirmed my desire to become a driver. I started racing the following year, in 2015, at the age of 7.»
Tell us more about your very first approach to karting. Was that a family heritage or you started as the first ever in the family?
« I was born into a family of racing drivers. My grandfather, my two uncles (including a well-known one: Gianni Palmieri), and my father were all drivers in the past. Later on, my father created his own karting team, which competes at the national level. From the moment I was born, he took me to the tracks. I grew up in that environment and instantly loved it. Watching karts race from the sidelines made me want to be out there on the track myself. At the age of 7, I tried a competition kart for the first time, and that experience confirmed my desire to become a driver. I started racing the following year, in 2015, at the age of 7.»
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From the Mini and Junior Rotax categories, Spirgel made the jump to KZ after a brief stint in OKJ, where he was supported by the FFSA Academy and competed in the FIA Academy Trophy in 2019 (in this picture with Michel Guignard)
Which categories you raced in the beginning? As far as I remember in 2020 when the RMGF were canceled for the pandemic you should have been there.
« In 2015, I started in the 'Minikart' category. Then in 2016, I moved up to 'Minime', followed by 'Cadet' in 2017 and 2018, and then 'National' in 2019 and 2020. In fact, in 2020, I earned a ticket to the Rotax Max Grand Finals, which were supposed to take place in Portimão, but unfortunately, the event was cancelled due to the pandemic. Needless to say, I was extremely disappointed at the time.»
Matteo Spirgel at the beginning of his Rotax career. In 2020, the only year when the event was cancelled due to the pandemic, he had qualified for the Grand Finals in Portimão.
Tell us more about your experience with the Rotax and from there, when you switched to FIA categories: what challenges were implied and what you felt comfortable in FIA OKJ from the beginning?
« Indeed, I raced in Rotax from 2015 to 2020. However, it's important to note that in 2019, I was part of the French national team, and that’s when I made my debut in OKJ. I took part in the FFSA Academy and the FIA Academy Trophy. I also competed in the European Championship round in Angerville. That year, I was one of the youngest drivers in this very competitive category. So it definitely wasn’t the easiest season of my career, quite the opposite. But the main goal, which was to gain as much experience as possible for the coming years, was fully achieved.»
You early switched from OKJ to KZ, why did you choose to not racing in OK as most of the drivers do?
« During the 2021 season, I took part in a few WSK races in OKJ. But since my goal was to reach the top category in karting — KZ — and I was going to be old enough to compete in it by 2022, there was no question about it. I immediately started training in KZ without going through OK. I did some testing with the CPB Sport team, which went very well and allowed me to start racing in KZ at the international level with them in 2022. Today, I have no regrets about my choice, even though I would still like to try OK one day.
What do you like of shifter class? Spot the main differences between the two classes: single gear and KZ. I much prefer KZ over single gear karts. Having six gears makes it a completely different experience compared to the other categories. But once you move into KZ, you get used to it quite easily. In terms of driving itself, apart from a more aggressive style, I’d say there aren’t many differences compared to OK or OKJ, for example. In my opinion, the biggest and most challenging difference to learn and master is the starts. You need to know how to use the clutch properly, have excellent reflexes, and show great coordination between your hands and feet. But that’s actually the part I enjoy the most about KZ.»
Now about the double title: KZ2 and KZ, describe us the way you improved from rookie to become the best in both of the categories.
« To become the best in both categories, honestly, there are many factors involved. On one hand, there’s myself. You have to be serious and fully committed to your work. Focus is key. For example, you also need to be physically prepared. But one of the most important aspects is the mental side. In a sport like ours, where there are ups and downs and moments that can be more or less difficult, having a strong mindset is essential to win. On the other hand, the team plays an equally important role. There needs to be strong team cohesion, and you have to build a solid relationship with your mechanic, and so on.»
Focusing on Franciacorta: it’s all in?
« Regarding Franciacorta, we will continue to work hard as always to be as competitive as possible. Winning remains the only goal.»
Any plan for the future in motorsport?
« Just karting at the highest level or what else? Of course, moving up to car is something I would really like. But for now, I’m staying focused on the current season because the most important part is yet to come. After that, we’ll see what lies ahead for me.»
What do you think can be done to give KZ1 class (which is undoubtedly the TOP class in karting, where the best drivers are) the appeal it deserves?
« In my view, the development of karting starts with making strong technical decisions, such as tire selection, for example. The choices made for the 2024/2025 season in categories like KZ1 and KZ2 unfortunately didn’t attract as many drivers as expected. Beyond the technical aspects, the media exposure of the sport is also a key factor. It would be highly beneficial for karting to receive greater visibility. We often forget that nearly all Formula 1 drivers began their careers in karting. It remains the foundational training ground for many professional racers today and would fully deserve to be featured on major television channels, such as Canal+, for instance.»
Trivia: Matteo Spirgel’s uncle is Giuseppe Palmieri, 1999 European Formula Super A Champion and an unforgettable protagonist of karting’s Golden Age
