Sunday in the spotlight: Manuel Triumphs, Zack Zhu claims european podium

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Columns: Races
An emotion-filled weekend for the drivers of DAG Management, who took center stage across several karting and single-seater championships. A day marked by outstanding results, with podiums, wins and prestigious finishes that once again confirm the strength of the group. From Manuel, author of a superb victory at Monza and now championship leader, to the European podium claimed by Zack Zhu, to Maxime's second consecutive pole position, alongside the excellent performances of Mia Zanki, Markas Silkunas and Mio Olert, DAG Management gathers important satisfaction on multiple fronts. Another weekend that tells a story of talent, growth and competitiveness, with the drivers taking the positions that matter at the leading international events.

Brodi Cooper Dowling – P4 Overall – Northern Regions Championship Regional Round 3, Cat. Junior Max

Two intense days for Brodi Cooper Dowling, who delivered a performance of great character despite far-from-ideal physical conditions. The young driver had to deal with a fever and a stomach virus, which also forced him to miss the entire test day.
Despite the difficulties, Brodi managed to secure tenth place in qualifying, before progressively growing throughout the heats, once again showing great speed and determination. Race after race he clawed back ground, closing out the weekend with an excellent fourth place overall — a result of real value given the conditions in which he tackled the event.
A performance that goes well beyond the final result: Brodi showed character, resilience and remarkable willpower, managing to give his all even during a physically very difficult period.
Resilient – he overcame fever and a stomach virus without giving up.
Fighter – he battled in every heat, recovering positions right up to the edge of the podium.
Gritty – he turned a weekend full of difficulties into a top-level performance.

Eduardo Salamonde – P80 – FIA European Championship, Kristianstad, Round 4, Cat. OK

The final karting event for Eduardo Salamonde before his anticipated move to single-seaters. The weekend wasn't the easiest, but the young driver still showed positive signs during some of the heats, highlighting his speed and determination.
Despite a tough weekend, Eduardo never stopped fighting, approaching every heat with the right attitude and continuing to gain valuable experience. The final result takes a back seat to the importance of this event, which closes out his karting journey.
A new and exciting phase of his career now begins: his debut in single-seaters. An important step, to be faced with the awareness of having built solid foundations during his years in karting.
Determined – he kept fighting despite a difficult weekend.
Resilient – he didn't let the difficulties he encountered discourage him.
Ready – he closes out his karting journey ready to take on the new challenge in single-seaters.

Nefeli Kosmopoulou – P83 – FIA European Championship, Kristianstad, Round 4, Cat. OK

A tough weekend for the driver, which started with a P22 in qualifying, a result that made the road ahead an uphill one from the start. During the heats she tried to recover positions, fighting with determination in every race and attempting to build a comeback.
Despite the effort and the will to fight back, the results weren't enough to secure a spot in the super heat and, subsequently, the final. A difficult weekend that doesn't fully reflect the potential shown on other occasions.
Now it's time to recharge: a short break will allow her to work on the areas that need improvement and arrive ready for the resumption of the WSK championship, with the goal of returning to fight for top positions.
Fighter – she tried to come back in every heat without ever giving up.
Determined – she faced the weekend with the right attitude despite the difficulties.
Motivated – she's already looking ahead to the next events with the desire to bounce back.

Matteo Gallo – P75 – FIA European Championship, Kristianstad, Round 4, Cat. OK

Great growth for Matteo Gallo, who delivered a weekend that confirmed the progress shown in recent outings. After a qualifying session that saw him start from P27, the young driver tackled the heats with great determination, fighting and trying to recover positions.
The comeback wasn't enough to secure a spot in the final, missed by the narrowest of margins, but the weekend leaves very positive signs. Matteo once again showed he is on the right track, progressively improving and getting closer and closer to the best.
A result that doesn't fully reward the work put in, but which confirms the driver's steady growth and his ability to turn every event into valuable experience.
Improving – he keeps getting better weekend after weekend, showing concrete progress.
Determined – he fought until the very end to secure qualification for the final.
Promising – the potential shown suggests important results are ahead.

Vladimir Ivannikov – P37 – FIA European Championship, Kristianstad, Round 4, Cat. OK

An uphill weekend for Vladimir Ivannikov, which began with a below-expectations qualifying session that saw him start from P18. Despite a difficult starting position, the young driver never stopped pushing, working constantly to make up ground.
During the heats Vladimir showed great determination, managing to progressively improve and gain several positions. Even in the super heat he continued his comeback, finishing in P12 and narrowly missing out on the final.
A weekend that didn't bring the hoped-for result, but which highlighted his ability to respond to difficulties and his will to fight until the last lap.
Determined – he responded to a difficult qualifying session without ever giving up.
Fighter – he recovered positions throughout the weekend, showing great character on track.
Consistent – he kept improving session after session, showing solidity and growth.

Jason Kosmopoulos – P55 – FIA European Championship, Kristianstad, Round 4, Cat. OKJ

A weekend of two halves for Jason, who had started the event with great feelings and good potential. A qualifying session that ended in P24, however, complicated the rest of the weekend right from the start, forcing him to chase.
During the heats and the super heat, Jason responded in the best possible way, recovering numerous positions thanks to a strong race pace and convincing performances. The comeback, however, wasn't enough to secure a spot in the final.
There remains some regret over a qualifying session that heavily affected the weekend: with a different starting position, the final result would likely have been different. The performances shown in the heats nonetheless confirm the young driver's potential and represent an excellent foundation to build on for upcoming events.
Responsive – he knew how to respond to a difficult qualifying session with a convincing comeback.
Competitive – the pace shown in the heats confirmed his value.
Determined – he never stopped fighting, chasing final qualification until the very end.

Zack Zhu – P3 – FIA European Championship Round 4, Kristianstad – Cat. OKJ

An extraordinary weekend for Zack Zhu, who delivered a result of huge value in the European Championship. After a journey marked by many difficulties, hard work and moments of intense battle, the young driver managed to claim a prestigious European podium, crowning a steady growth.
Zack faced every session with determination, showing speed, character and the ability to respond even in the most complex moments. A result built on his talent, the team's great work, and a continuous pursuit of improvement.
A hugely important milestone that fills all of DAG Management with pride and confirms Zack's value at the highest levels of international karting.
Extraordinary – he reached a European podium, a result of enormous prestige.
Determined – he overcame difficulties and complex moments without ever losing belief.
Mature – he turned hard work and accumulated experience into a result of real value.

Vanesa Silkunaite – P20 – FIA Academy Trophy, Round 3, Kristianstad – Cat. Senior

The final round of the trophy for Vanesa Silkunaite, who delivered a solid and competitive weekend. The Lithuanian driver started the event with a good P10 in qualifying, building an important foundation for the rest of the weekend.
In the heats she confirmed her value with two excellent performances, finishing sixth and seventh and staying consistently in the fight for the top 10. In the final, however, contact in the early stages of the race compromised the result, forcing her into a difficult comeback.
There remains regret over an incident that prevented Vanesa from collecting what she deserved: the pace shown throughout the weekend suggested a top-ten finish was well within her reach.
Competitive – she showed excellent pace from qualifying onward, confirming it in the heats.
Consistent – she remained close to the top positions throughout the whole weekend.
Unlucky – contact in the final denied her a result that seemed fully within reach.

Maxime Noeppel – P20 – Rotax French Championship, Anneville, Cat. Nationale

A weekend full of speed for Maxime Noeppel, who once again confirmed his great potential by claiming another pole position. From the very first sessions he was among the fastest on track, showing a top-level race pace.
During the heats he continued to deliver excellent performances, remaining consistently among the top positions. On several occasions, however, he wasn't able to capitalize on what he had built, losing ground at decisive moments. The final ended with a P23, later upgraded to P20 following a penalty, a result that doesn't reflect the speed shown throughout the whole weekend.
There remains plenty of regret, because the potential to fight for the very top positions was evident. The work still to be done lies mainly in race management and mental growth, but the signs are extremely encouraging and he's on the right path.
Fast – he claimed another pole position, confirming an exceptional pace.
Talented – the potential shown during the weekend marks him out as a real contender.
Self-aware – there is still room to grow in race management, but he's heading in the right direction.

Mia Zanki – Rok Cup Italy Series, Round 7 Franciacorta, Cat. Junior ROK

A top-level weekend for Mia Zanki, who delivered a performance that confirms her continued growth. On a track she clearly enjoys, Mia started the weekend with an excellent P4 in class and P7 overall in qualifying, immediately showing great pace.
During the heats she fought consistently among the top positions, confirming her competitiveness and maturity. In the final, starting from eleventh, she produced a great comeback that carried her up to P6, showing speed, determination and excellent race management.
A very positive weekend that confirms the young driver's progress and shows how she is becoming an ever-bigger contender in the most competitive settings.
Competitive – she stayed consistently among the top positions all weekend.
Mature – she managed the final intelligently, building a valuable comeback.
Improving – the results confirm a path of continuous and increasingly clear improvement.

Manuel Quondamcarlo – Liegier Italian Trophy, Monza Round 3, Cat. Liegier JS2 R

RACE 2: P11 Overall / P1 Class

Manuel returns to the track at Monza, delivering a hugely valuable weekend packed with important results. In Qualifying 2 he came close to pole position, finishing P3 after a small mistake that cost him the top spot by the narrowest of margins.
His race pace was competitive right away: the first race of the weekend brought an important podium for his teammate, while on Sunday Manuel was able to show his full potential by claiming a superb victory.
A crucial win that also puts him at the top of the standings, confirming the great work he's put in and the consistency he's shown throughout the season.
Winning – he claimed a crucial victory that puts him at the top of the standings.
Competitive – he was a contender from qualifying onward, coming close to pole position.
Consistent – he turned the speed he showed into concrete results throughout the whole weekend.

Markas Silkunas – F4 CEZ Championship Round 4

RACE 1: P4 Overall / P1 Rookie
RACE 2: P14 Overall / P4 Rookie
RACE 4: P7 Overall / P1 Rookie

A return to Formula 4 for Markas Silkunas, who delivered a highly competitive weekend full of satisfaction. The young driver started the event with a solid P3 in qualifying, immediately confirming a strong level of competitiveness.
Throughout the weekend Markas continued to fight among the top positions, gathering important results and claiming two trophies by the end of the races. A performance of great value on his return to the category, showing speed, adaptability and the ability to compete in a highly competitive environment.
A positive weekend that adds further experience to the driver's growth path and confirms his talent behind the wheel of a single-seater as well.
Competitive – he immediately showed strong pace, finishing qualifying in P4.
Versatile – on his return to Formula 4 he showed great ability to adapt.
Winning – he turned a solid weekend into concrete results with two important trophies won.

Mio Olert – F4 CEZ Championship Round 4

RACE 1: P11 Overall / P4 Rookie
RACE 2: P10 Overall / P5 Rookie
RACE 4: P11 Overall / P4 Rookie

A great result for Mio, who delivered a top-level weekend full of satisfaction. The young driver managed to consistently stay among the top fifteen cars, showing great competitiveness and solidity in a very demanding field.
A weekend enriched by numerous trophies won and important results, the fruit of consistent work and clear growth. Mio once again confirmed his worth, reaping what he had sown and showing great ability to adapt.
A weekend to remember, representing a further step forward in his growth path.
Competitive – he remained consistently among the top fifteen positions in a highly qualified field.
Consistent – he built a solid weekend, delivering results in every phase.
Winning – the many trophies won confirm the quality of his performance.
 

Press Release by: DAG Management - 03/08/26

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