Last weekend, young Ukrainian driver Oleksandr Bondarev made a final comeback of 16 places at the last round of the Champions of the Future Euro Series in Franciacorta (ITA). His hard-fought 6th place gave him back the lead in the provisional IKR overall standings. He had already occupied this position in July before being dethroned by Italy’s Cristian Bertuca, then by Belgium’s Thibaut Ramaekers, whom currently trails him by 23 points.
The FIA International Karting Ranking (IKR) comprises three classes (CLASS 1 – CIK-FIA approved equipment) / CLASS 2 – CIK-FIA approved equipment) / CLASS 3 Mini- CIK-FIA approved equipment). Only the best eight results obtained by each driver in events on the FIA International Karting Sporting Calendar will be taken into account. The points scale takes into account several parameters, including the type or “grade” of the event, the number of drivers in the category and the category itself, which is grouped into one of the three above-mentioned classes. CLASS 3 Mini is automatically attached to the national events. In addition to the provisional general classification, a classification by category is also available.
Bondarev, a very promising young driver
Oleksandr Bondarev is a 14-year-old driver from Ukraine who made his debut in Italy in the Mini category at the end of 2018. He went on to finish 3rd in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy in 2021 as he discovered the OK-Junior category. At the height of his career, a serious accident at Zuera in May 2022 kept him off the track for several months. After a great deal of effort and perseverance during this long recovery phase, he was back to his best from January 2023 and set about winning the European title. 2nd in Valencia, 1st in Trinec, 1st in Rødby and 3rd in Cremona, Oleksandr was crowned FIA Karting European Champion – Junior with the KR Motorsport team. Still at the wheel of an IAME-powered Kart Republic chassis, he has now joined the Prema Racing team, which supports and trains up-and-coming kart drivers on their way to single-seaters. He has also just joined the Williams Racing Driver Academy.
-> International Karting Ranking
Info FIA Karting / Photo © KSP