Burgenland's Mia Alessa Zanki wins second Austrian Karting Championship and world final ticket

Podersdorf am See, Burgenland, Austria
13-year-old Mia Alessa Zanki is enjoying an exceptional season in international karting. After winning the ROK Cup Austria Junior Championship, the young driver from Burgenland has now added another major national title to her 2026 season by winning the Austrian Rotax Max Junior Championship.
The title also secured Mia a place at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Final in Portimão, Portugal, where she will represent Austria against the leading Rotax drivers from around the world.

Two Austrian championship titles in one season
Mia had already secured the ROK Cup Austria Junior Championship earlier this season.
Following that success, she will compete for Austria at the ROK Superfinal in Lonato, Italy, in October.
Her Rotax championship now gives the 13-year-old her second Austrian championship title of the season, in two different racing series.
One of the highlights of her season came in Hungary, where Mia achieved an impressive triple victory.
Winning the Austrian Rotax title also earned her qualification for the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Final in Portimão, bringing together leading drivers from Rotax championships around the world.

From karting towards Formula 1
Mia has a clear long-term ambition: to progress from karting into international single-seater racing and ultimately pursue a path towards Formula 1.
In 2026, she was selected for the F1 Academy programme, giving her the opportunity to gain further international racing experience and develop within the professional motorsport environment.
Her results throughout the season underline her progress and ambition on this path.

Third international highlight: World Championship with Lenovo Kalikart
But Mia’s 2026 season is far from over.
Following her successes in the ROK Cup Austria and the Austrian Rotax Championship, Mia has also been selected by the Lenovo Kalikart Racing Team.
The team has a long-standing international racing tradition and has worked with drivers competing at the highest levels of motorsport.
Mia will represent Austria with the team at the OK-N Junior World Championship in Viterbo, Italy.

This means that the 13-year-old now faces three major international events during the remainder of the season:
- ROK Superfinal – Lonato, Italy
- Rotax Max Challenge Grand Final – Portimão, Portugal
- OK-N Junior World Championship – Viterbo, Italy


The next step comes in 2027
Following an already highly successful 2026 season, the next challenge is already taking shape.
Together with DAG Management, which professionally supports Mia on her motorsport journey, she is planning to make the step into the senior category in 2027, at just 13 years of age.
The move will bring stronger competition, greater technical and physical demands and another significant increase in the level of competition.

“If you have high ambitions, you also have to be willing to take on the highest challenges.”

With two Austrian championship titles in different racing series, multiple international qualifications and selection by an internationally established racing team, Mia has made a strong statement during the most successful season of her career so far.
Her goal remains clear: step by step from karting into international single-seater racing – and ultimately towards Formula 1.

About Mia Alessa Zanki 
13 years old
Podersdorf am See, Burgenland, Austria

2026 Season Highlights
- Austrian ROK Cup Junior Champion
- Austrian Rotax Max Junior Champion
- Qualified for the ROK Superfinal – Lonato, Italy
- Qualified for the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Final – Portimão, Portugal
- Selected for the F1 Academy programme
- Selected for the Lenovo Kalikart Racing Team
- Competing in the OK-N Junior World Championship – Viterbo, Italy
- International race appearances across several European countries

richard@zanki.at
Photo credit: NOEL ZAK

13-Year-Old Austrian Mia Alessa Zanki Wins Second Karting Championship and Secures World Final Ticket
After winning the ROK Junior title, the 13-year-old from Podersdorf has now also won the Austrian Rotax Max Junior Championship, securing her place at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Final in Portimão. Three major international events now await the young Austrian driver.
Podersdorf am See, Burgenland, Austria – 13-year-old Mia Alessa Zanki is enjoying an outstanding 2026 karting season.
After winning the ROK Cup Austria Junior Championship, Mia has now also claimed the Austrian Rotax Max Junior Championship.
Following a triple victory in Hungary, she went on to secure the Austrian Rotax title and, with it, qualification for the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Final in Portimão, Portugal, where she will represent Austria.
The next international highlight is already approaching: in October, Mia will compete at the ROK Superfinal in Lonato, Italy.
Mia has also been selected by the Lenovo Kalikart Racing Team and will represent Austria at the OK-N Junior World Championship in Viterbo, Italy.
This means three major international events remain on her 2026 calendar:
ROK Superfinal – Lonato | Rotax Max Challenge Grand Final – Portimão | OK-N Junior World Championship – Viterbo
In 2026, Mia was also selected for the F1 Academy programme. Her long-term goal is to progress from karting into international single-seater racing and ultimately pursue a path towards Formula 1.
Together with DAG Management, Mia is already preparing for her next major step in 2027: moving into the senior category.

“If you have high ambitions, you also have to be willing to take on the highest challenges.”