With 73 classified Drivers, the European Junior Championship confirmed the attractiveness of the new OK-Junior category. The hierarchy constantly evolved with three different winners, and especially many twists over the four Competitions at Zuera (ESP), Adria (ITA), Portimao (PRT) and Genk (BEL). The end of the Championship saw the advent of French Victor Martins who was twice victorious, but finally the Briton Finlay Kenneally took the crown without any wins on his record, to the detriment of the Dane Noah Watts, the leader in the early season.
Watt takes the lead at Zuera (ESP)
The first European Competition began with an exciting duel between the poleman from Qualifying Sami Taoufik (FA Kart / Vortex / Vega) and the leader of the Qualifying Heats Noah Watt (Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega). An engine problem in Prefinal 2 then eliminated Taoufik. Finlay Kenneally (FA Kart / Vortex / Vega) seemed well positioned to challenge Watt, the favourite to win, accompanied by Isac Blomqvist (Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega). But he was not counting on the return of Caio Jotta Collet (Birel ART / Parilla / Vega) who seized 2nd position. Briefly back to 5th, Blomqvist returned to 3rd place.
Vidales Arenjo proves himself at Adria (ITA)
Extremely variable weather complicated the progress of the Competitions at the Adria Karting Raceway. Two new contenders proved themselves in these difficult conditions. Firstly the very young Norwegian Dennis Hauger (CRG / Parilla / Vega) dominated until Prefinal 1 and the Spaniard David Vidales Arenjo (Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega) took the top step of the Final podium after constantly being at the forefront. The Briton Kiern Jewiss (Exprit / Vortex / Vega) responded with 2nd position ahead of Blomqvist, while Hauger finished 6th, Watt 11th, and Collet 29th.
Portimao (PRT): Martins wins, Watt remains in control
After dominating during Qualifying Practice and the Qualifying Heats ahead of the Australian Oscar Piastri (FA Kart / Vortex / Vega) and the Frenchman Gillian Henrion (Kosmic / Vortex / Vega), Kenneally yielded the victory to Victor Martins (Kosmic / Parilla / Vega) of France and Piastri during the Prefinals. Martins escaped from the start of the Final to take his first victory with a lead of more than seven seconds. Jewiss and Hauger threw themselves in pursuit of the leader, but ultimately Collet finished 2nd after a fierce struggle. The Malaysian Bin Abdul Gafar Mizzuddin Musyaffa (DR / TM Racing / Vega) was the second revelation of the Portuguese Competition with his 3rd position.
Genk (BEL): Second victory for Martins, the title for Kenneally
Victor Martins (Kosmic / Parilla / Vega) won everything in Belgium, including a tough Final, which allowed him to take 3rd position in the Championship. The fight for the title proved uncertain until the end. Collet lost all his chances, way back after Qualifying Practice. A strong leader since the first Competition, Watt was penalised in his last Qualifying Heat, however, he moved up to 4th in Prefinal 1, but then lost ground in the Final where he finished 14th. Another contender, Blomqvist, was never on the pace. Kenneally finally came back to 2nd behind Martins. He won well the title well ahead of Watt and Martins.
Info CIK-FIA / © Photo KSP