10/04/2025
If you take a look at the front rows of a top-tier karting race, it almost feels like you’re watching a Formula 1 pre-grid. Papaya-colored race suits, the unmistakable black overalls with the three-pointed star, or the tricolor of the most iconic team in the entire motorsport ladder — the same team whose national roots attract kids from around the world to move there in pursuit of a dream. But then comes the inevitable question: where are the big names of karting? The legendary karting manufacturers? They’re still around, still building chassis and engines, still fueling the foundation of the sport. And yet, in this showcase, their presence feels secondary, occasional at best. Yes, they send a few talented young drivers onto the track, but it’s not hard to imagine a scenario where they’re slowly pushed into the background — reduced to supporting roles in a spectacle that, let’s be honest, doesn’t always live up to the name. Take for example a driver storming through the field, gaining 12 positions and on track to win a race in style, only to see it all unravel with a deflated tire. What exactly are we watching here? The lines begin to blur. Is this still karting — real, grassroots karting — or a four-wheeled extension of something that technically shouldn't have much to do with the origins of this category? Sure, it’s true: karting remains the best, and perhaps only, gateway to upper Formulas. A necessary proving ground. But let’s not forget that this sport — the genuine, sustainable kind — is built by the kart manufacturers, the engine builders, the companies that keep the business and the market alive. They cater to the thousands of (potential) young racers around the globe. If the idea is to turn karting into a “junior F1,” then let’s be clear about it. Define the categories, invest accordingly, bring in proper television coverage alongside the main F1 events, and officially brand that World or European Championship with the F1 logo. Not because different approaches can’t coexist — they absolutely can — but because clarity is needed. It might even help a newcomer — where every fresh wave of drivers comes from — to actually understand what’s going on… and maybe ask for a go-kart next Christmas 🎄