In Imola, on the iconic track of Emilia-Romagna, Luka Sammalisto took part in the Italian Formula 4 Championship, while Mattia Bucci and Matteo Bergonzini hit the track for the Italian GT Endurance Championship with solid and noteworthy performances.
In northern Europe, at Rodby (Denmark), our young karting talents faced a challenging yet educational weekend in the FIA Karting European Championship, dealing with changing weather and extremely high-level competition.
Finally, in the ROK Cup Italy held at Franciacorta, Julia Angelard and Tariq Soofi showed grit and talent, confirming their constant growth on the national karting scene.
Luka Sammalisto – Italian Formula 4 – Imola (Italy)
Race 1: P25
Race 2: Cancelled
Race 3: P29
First driver on track for the agency this weekend, Luka Sammalisto competed in another round of the Italian F4 Championship on the historic Imola circuit. Fresh off a podium in Monza, the young Finn arrived with high expectations, determined to confirm his pace on one of his favourite tracks. However, qualifying did not go as planned: some difficulties prevented Luka from securing a good starting spot to fight consistently at the front.
Nonetheless, he showed great determination throughout the weekend. In Race 1, he originally finished P22 but was demoted to P25 due to a penalty. In Race 2, after a great start and several overtakes, a red flag due to a multi-car incident (with all drivers fortunately unharmed) ended the race prematurely. Race 3 was compromised by a contact, ending up P29.
A tough weekend, but one that still provided useful insights. Luka fought with his usual resilience and now has time to recharge and prepare for the next round at the end of August in Barcelona.
Mattia Bucci – Italian GT Endurance Championship – Imola (Italy)
Quali: P1 (P5 overall)
Race: P3
Mattia Bucci was the second driver to take to the track at Imola, racing in the Italian GT Endurance Championship. The young driver from Abruzzo started the weekend brilliantly, clinching pole in his class and P5 overall in qualifying—an excellent show of speed and focus.
In the race, however, bad luck struck: a contact early on forced his car to retire, cutting short what could have been his first win of the season. At the time of retirement, Mattia was comfortably leading with a significant gap to the second-placed car. A victory would have significantly reduced the gap in the standings, keeping title hopes alive.
On a track that suits him well, Bucci aimed to strengthen his position in the standings and keep the championship fight alive. While the title race has become more complicated, it’s far from over. Mattia will approach the season finale determined to give his all—because in motorsport, nothing is ever truly impossible.
Matteo Bergonzini – Italian GT Endurance Championship – Imola (Italy)
Quali: P4 (P14 Overall)
Race: P4
Matteo Bergonzini also competed in Imola in the Italian GT Endurance Championship, delivering a solid and encouraging weekend. Along with his team, he showed strong pace in qualifying, securing P4 in class.
The race was tightly contested: Matteo fought for victory right to the final stint, always among the frontrunners. Unfortunately, a fuel shortage in the final minutes dashed the team's hopes, forcing them to settle for P4, just off the podium.
Despite the bitter ending, the weekend was a positive one—both in performance and race pace. Full focus now shifts to the final round of the season, where the goal will be to maximise points and finish the year on a high.
Mio Olert – P6 – FIA Karting Academy Trophy – Rodby (Denmark), Senior Category
It was Mio Olert’s first official race under Minardi Management, as he competed in the final round of the FIA Karting Academy Trophy at Rodby. The young Swedish talent faced a tough weekend, hindered by an unlucky engine draw that affected his qualifying. Despite the rough start, Mio responded with determination and character. In the heats, he showed good speed and impressive recovery skills, climbing up the field with solid drives. In the wet final, he delivered a smart and consistent performance to finish P6 after a strong comeback.
A promising debut for Olert, who turned a tough start into a strong result. He demonstrated grit, maturity, and competitiveness—setting the stage for a bright future ahead.
Nilas Malik – DNQ – FIA European Championship – Rodby (Denmark), Junior Category
Nilas Malik was the first agency driver to compete at the FIA European Karting Championship in Rodby. The young racer performed well from the first sessions, showing pace and consistency all weekend.
Unfortunately, several penalties accumulated during the heats ruined his final result, preventing him from reaching the final and fighting for a top finish—despite a strong build-up.
Nilas remains a driver of great potential, fast and feisty. The next goal is to convert that speed into results, especially in key moments. He’ll be back on track for the Champions of the Future, aiming to be fully prepared and maximise every opportunity.
Vladimir Ivannikov – DNF – FIA European Championship – Rodby (Denmark), Senior Category
Vladimir also competed at Rodby in the European Championship, delivering a strong weekend full of pace and consistency across the heats, where he consistently finished near the front.
In the final, changing weather created a tough strategic call: dry tyres for an aggressive gamble or wets for more safety. Vladimir chose slicks, hoping the track would dry quickly and reward his choice. Unfortunately, the surface remained too wet early on, leading to a spin and retirement.
Despite the disappointing end, Vladimir’s weekend showed bravery and ambition—hallmarks of a winning mindset. His focus now turns to the Champions of the Future, ready to bounce back as a frontrunner.
Markas Silkunas – DNF – FIA European Championship – Rodby (Denmark), Senior Category
Back on track after sitting out last week for health reasons, Markas Silkunas returned in strong form. The young Lithuanian quickly found his rhythm, consistently running near the front in all heats. Like others, he faced a tough tyre choice in the final due to variable weather. Markas opted for slicks, betting on an improving track—but the strategy didn’t pay off, and he failed to finish the race.
Still, his comeback was encouraging: fast, focused, and in great shape. With momentum building, all eyes are now on the next race in Kristianstad (Sweden), where the goal is a podium finish.
Vanesa Silkunaite – DNQ – FIA European Championship – Rodby (Denmark), Senior Category
Also returning from recent physical issues, Vanesa Silkunaite raced at Rodby in the European Championship. It was a challenging weekend, but she responded with grit, showing speed and competitiveness in every session.
Unfortunately, a string of contacts during the heats compromised her result, and she didn’t make it to the final.
Despite the outcome, Vanesa continues to show promising growth. In her first full race at this level, she is going through a natural adjustment period, working steadily to build a strong foundation for 2026—when she will return more experienced and ready to fight at the top.
Julia Angelard – DNQ – ROK Cup Italy – Franciacorta (Italy)
Julia Angelard had a demanding weekend at Franciacorta for the latest round of the ROK Cup Italy. Early sessions were tough—she struggled to find rhythm in free practice—but responded with a gritty qualifying effort that put her near the front (P3).
However, the races turned chaotic. Julia’s determination, paired with aggressive rivals, led to multiple contacts, ruining her chances of reaching the final.
Despite the setbacks, it was a valuable learning experience. Julia showed fighting spirit and hunger for redemption—key traits that, combined with her talent, will soon have her back battling at the front where she belongs.
Tariq Soofi – ROK Cup Italy – Franciacorta (Italy)
Race 1: P6/P10
Race 2: P7/P6
The final agency driver to hit the track this weekend was Bahrain's Tariq Soofi. Despite his limited experience on Italian tracks, he showcased remarkable adaptability—quickly turning unfamiliar circuits into home turf.
It was a very positive weekend: consistently in the top ten, Tariq impressed with his speed, racecraft, and maturity. Even though this was only his third race in Italy, he held his own against much more experienced local rivals.
Soofi's talent is clear, and his development continues race after race. His progress suggests a strong return to Italy in 2026—this time with the goal of fighting for podiums and, without doubt, for victories.
Author: Gabriele Bovio
In northern Europe, at Rodby (Denmark), our young karting talents faced a challenging yet educational weekend in the FIA Karting European Championship, dealing with changing weather and extremely high-level competition.
Finally, in the ROK Cup Italy held at Franciacorta, Julia Angelard and Tariq Soofi showed grit and talent, confirming their constant growth on the national karting scene.
Luka Sammalisto – Italian Formula 4 – Imola (Italy)
Race 1: P25
Race 2: Cancelled
Race 3: P29
First driver on track for the agency this weekend, Luka Sammalisto competed in another round of the Italian F4 Championship on the historic Imola circuit. Fresh off a podium in Monza, the young Finn arrived with high expectations, determined to confirm his pace on one of his favourite tracks. However, qualifying did not go as planned: some difficulties prevented Luka from securing a good starting spot to fight consistently at the front.
Nonetheless, he showed great determination throughout the weekend. In Race 1, he originally finished P22 but was demoted to P25 due to a penalty. In Race 2, after a great start and several overtakes, a red flag due to a multi-car incident (with all drivers fortunately unharmed) ended the race prematurely. Race 3 was compromised by a contact, ending up P29.
A tough weekend, but one that still provided useful insights. Luka fought with his usual resilience and now has time to recharge and prepare for the next round at the end of August in Barcelona.
Mattia Bucci – Italian GT Endurance Championship – Imola (Italy)
Quali: P1 (P5 overall)
Race: P3
Mattia Bucci was the second driver to take to the track at Imola, racing in the Italian GT Endurance Championship. The young driver from Abruzzo started the weekend brilliantly, clinching pole in his class and P5 overall in qualifying—an excellent show of speed and focus.
In the race, however, bad luck struck: a contact early on forced his car to retire, cutting short what could have been his first win of the season. At the time of retirement, Mattia was comfortably leading with a significant gap to the second-placed car. A victory would have significantly reduced the gap in the standings, keeping title hopes alive.
On a track that suits him well, Bucci aimed to strengthen his position in the standings and keep the championship fight alive. While the title race has become more complicated, it’s far from over. Mattia will approach the season finale determined to give his all—because in motorsport, nothing is ever truly impossible.
Matteo Bergonzini – Italian GT Endurance Championship – Imola (Italy)
Quali: P4 (P14 Overall)
Race: P4
Matteo Bergonzini also competed in Imola in the Italian GT Endurance Championship, delivering a solid and encouraging weekend. Along with his team, he showed strong pace in qualifying, securing P4 in class.
The race was tightly contested: Matteo fought for victory right to the final stint, always among the frontrunners. Unfortunately, a fuel shortage in the final minutes dashed the team's hopes, forcing them to settle for P4, just off the podium.
Despite the bitter ending, the weekend was a positive one—both in performance and race pace. Full focus now shifts to the final round of the season, where the goal will be to maximise points and finish the year on a high.
Mio Olert – P6 – FIA Karting Academy Trophy – Rodby (Denmark), Senior Category
It was Mio Olert’s first official race under Minardi Management, as he competed in the final round of the FIA Karting Academy Trophy at Rodby. The young Swedish talent faced a tough weekend, hindered by an unlucky engine draw that affected his qualifying. Despite the rough start, Mio responded with determination and character. In the heats, he showed good speed and impressive recovery skills, climbing up the field with solid drives. In the wet final, he delivered a smart and consistent performance to finish P6 after a strong comeback.
A promising debut for Olert, who turned a tough start into a strong result. He demonstrated grit, maturity, and competitiveness—setting the stage for a bright future ahead.
Nilas Malik – DNQ – FIA European Championship – Rodby (Denmark), Junior Category
Nilas Malik was the first agency driver to compete at the FIA European Karting Championship in Rodby. The young racer performed well from the first sessions, showing pace and consistency all weekend.
Unfortunately, several penalties accumulated during the heats ruined his final result, preventing him from reaching the final and fighting for a top finish—despite a strong build-up.
Nilas remains a driver of great potential, fast and feisty. The next goal is to convert that speed into results, especially in key moments. He’ll be back on track for the Champions of the Future, aiming to be fully prepared and maximise every opportunity.
Vladimir Ivannikov – DNF – FIA European Championship – Rodby (Denmark), Senior Category
Vladimir also competed at Rodby in the European Championship, delivering a strong weekend full of pace and consistency across the heats, where he consistently finished near the front.
In the final, changing weather created a tough strategic call: dry tyres for an aggressive gamble or wets for more safety. Vladimir chose slicks, hoping the track would dry quickly and reward his choice. Unfortunately, the surface remained too wet early on, leading to a spin and retirement.
Despite the disappointing end, Vladimir’s weekend showed bravery and ambition—hallmarks of a winning mindset. His focus now turns to the Champions of the Future, ready to bounce back as a frontrunner.
Markas Silkunas – DNF – FIA European Championship – Rodby (Denmark), Senior Category
Back on track after sitting out last week for health reasons, Markas Silkunas returned in strong form. The young Lithuanian quickly found his rhythm, consistently running near the front in all heats. Like others, he faced a tough tyre choice in the final due to variable weather. Markas opted for slicks, betting on an improving track—but the strategy didn’t pay off, and he failed to finish the race.
Still, his comeback was encouraging: fast, focused, and in great shape. With momentum building, all eyes are now on the next race in Kristianstad (Sweden), where the goal is a podium finish.
Vanesa Silkunaite – DNQ – FIA European Championship – Rodby (Denmark), Senior Category
Also returning from recent physical issues, Vanesa Silkunaite raced at Rodby in the European Championship. It was a challenging weekend, but she responded with grit, showing speed and competitiveness in every session.
Unfortunately, a string of contacts during the heats compromised her result, and she didn’t make it to the final.
Despite the outcome, Vanesa continues to show promising growth. In her first full race at this level, she is going through a natural adjustment period, working steadily to build a strong foundation for 2026—when she will return more experienced and ready to fight at the top.
Julia Angelard – DNQ – ROK Cup Italy – Franciacorta (Italy)
Julia Angelard had a demanding weekend at Franciacorta for the latest round of the ROK Cup Italy. Early sessions were tough—she struggled to find rhythm in free practice—but responded with a gritty qualifying effort that put her near the front (P3).
However, the races turned chaotic. Julia’s determination, paired with aggressive rivals, led to multiple contacts, ruining her chances of reaching the final.
Despite the setbacks, it was a valuable learning experience. Julia showed fighting spirit and hunger for redemption—key traits that, combined with her talent, will soon have her back battling at the front where she belongs.
Tariq Soofi – ROK Cup Italy – Franciacorta (Italy)
Race 1: P6/P10
Race 2: P7/P6
The final agency driver to hit the track this weekend was Bahrain's Tariq Soofi. Despite his limited experience on Italian tracks, he showcased remarkable adaptability—quickly turning unfamiliar circuits into home turf.
It was a very positive weekend: consistently in the top ten, Tariq impressed with his speed, racecraft, and maturity. Even though this was only his third race in Italy, he held his own against much more experienced local rivals.
Soofi's talent is clear, and his development continues race after race. His progress suggests a strong return to Italy in 2026—this time with the goal of fighting for podiums and, without doubt, for victories.
Author: Gabriele Bovio
