Heat, heartbreak and two breakthrough victories

The Mini 60 category delivered two completely different stories across the weekend, but both concluded with first-time winners in 2026.

Saturday belonged entirely to Mayson Hibbert. After securing pole position, the Briton remained unbeaten throughout the qualifying heats before producing a commanding performance in the Final, pulling away to claim his first victory of the season by an astonishing 12.2 seconds.

Behind him, the battle for the remaining podium places was anything but straightforward. A fierce fight throughout the race eventually saw Maximilian Schilling edge out Ilyas Sami, with both drivers rewarded for surviving one of the closest contests of the weekend.

Sunday delivered a dramatic twist. A chaotic qualifying session reshuffled the order and ended the hopes of all three Saturday podium finishers, while the grid welcomed a late addition as 2025 Mini 60 championship contender Wynn Godschalk joined the field.

Filippos Troulis emerged from the unpredictable qualifying session with pole position, but it was Chester Forkes who found another level once the racing began. Charging through the field, the Briton claimed victory in both qualifying heats before completing a flawless Sunday by securing his maiden Final win of the season.

A perfect homecoming

The OK-N Junior category returned to one of Italy's most iconic karting venues, and it was a home driver who stole the headlines.

Saturday began with Atiqa Mir carrying the momentum from Greece, where she claimed victory in Final 2. The Mercedes Junior driver produced a superb qualifying performance, setting the fastest time after topping all three sectors around the Italian circuit.

Her pace, however, met an immediate response from returning Italian driver Niccolò Perico. Back in the Academy Program for the first time since graduating from Mini 60 at the end of 2025, Perico wasted no time reminding everyone of his speed, fighting his way to victory after Mir slipped down the order during the opening laps.

Sunday belonged to Perico once again. The Italian topped qualifying before remaining unbeaten throughout the heats, with Julia Angelard producing his closest challenge after attempting an ambitious move from Rome into the third hairpin. Although the overtake didn't quite come off, it highlighted just how competitive the racing remained throughout the weekend.

Perico completed a perfect home event by converting pole position into a second consecutive Final victory, becoming the first OK-N Junior driver of 2026 to win two Finals, and the first to do so back-to-back. His latest success also sees him move past Markas Silkunas to become the most successful race winner in Champions of the Future Academy Program history.

Opportunity knocks

The OK-N Senior category produced another weekend full of twists before two new winners emerged.

Saturday initially saw wildcard Bruno Blanco claim pole position at a circuit he knows exceptionally well, only for a post-session underweight infringement to result in disqualification and force him into a recovery drive.

That opened the door for Jagrat Detroja, who capitalised on an impressive qualifying campaign by starting the Final from pole position before delivering a composed drive to secure his long-awaited first victory of the season.

Sunday brought yet another new winner. Michal Zajac built on Saturday's runner-up finish by claiming pole position in one of the closest qualifying sessions of the year, with all 35 drivers covered by just 0.888 seconds.

Just as Forkes and Perico had done earlier in the day, Zajac completed a clean sweep by winning both qualifying heats before converting that pace into his maiden Champions of the Future Academy Program Final victory.

The series gathers momentum

Five different winners. Five first victories of the 2026 season. A weekend that perfectly showcased both the depth of talent and the competitiveness of the Champions of the Future Academy Program as the series reached its halfway stage.

Attention now turns to Spain and the Aspar Circuit for Event 4. While the temperatures are expected to be considerably cooler than those experienced in Viterbo, the battle for the Academy Program titles promises to be every bit as intense.

Entries are now open for Event 4 of the Champions of the Future Academy Program at Spain's Aspar Circuit, as well as for the Champions of the Future Academy Program UK season finale at Whilton Mill, taking place from 21–23 August.

Full coverage of Event 3, including race replays, live stream recordings and highlights from Viterbo, is available on the Champions of the Future Academy Program YouTube channel.