Champions of the Future
International kart racing championship
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Champions of the Future (COTF) is a kart racing competition organised by the RGMMC Group and sanctioned by FIA Karting (CIK-FIA). Founded in 2020, COTF is one of 11 competitions on the international kart racing calendar in CIK-FIA classes.
| |
| Category | Kart racing |
|---|---|
| Region | International |
| Affiliations | CIK-FIA |
| Inaugural season | 2020 |
| Classes | OK, OK-J, KZ, KZ2, KZ2-M, OK-N, OKN-J, 60 Mini |
| Drivers' champion | |
| Official website | championskarting |
Initially a two-round series in OK and OK-Junior (OK-J)—with single-round finals in KZ2 and 60 Mini—the championship has since expanded to all eight CIK-FIA classes across the: Euro Series (OK, OK-J), Shifters (KZ, KZ2, KZ2-M), and Academy Program (OK-N, OKN-J, 60 Mini), the latter supported by F1 Academy. COTF also hosted the one-off Winter Series at Franciacorta in 2022. COTF is set to expand to national series in 2026, hosting a British title with Motorsport UK, an Emirati title, a Macanese title, and an American title.
The Euro Series and Shifters events traditionally take place in the two weeks prior to a World or European Championship round at the same circuit. Notable former champions include Nikita Bedrin (2020, OK), Arvid Lindblad (2020, OK-J), Rafael Câmara (2021, OK), Freddie Slater (2021, OK-J), Alex Powell (2023, OK), and Dries Van Langendonck (2024, OK-J). Luna Fluxá (2024, OK-N) is the only female driver to win a title.
History
Background (1962–2019)
The Commission Internationale de Karting (CIK-FIA) was founded in 1962 by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) to govern the rising international sport of kart racing.[1] The inaugural CIK-FIA World Championship was hosted two years later at the Pista d'Oro in Rome, which again held the event in 1965.[2] The CIK-FIA began its homologation of distinct classes in the discipline in 1974, when the first 125 cc gearbox category was created for the European Championship: Formula C (FC).[3] The 100 cc category was clarified in 1976, when Formula Europe was introduced to control technical evolutions and costs.[4] The single-speed classes were adapted in 1981, when the 135 cc Formula K (FK), 100 cc Intercontinental A (ICA), and Junior Intercontinental A (ICA-J) were introduced to the World Championship, European Championship, and World Cup, respectively.[5]
By 2020, there were five CIK-FIA classes: OK, the primary senior direct-drive class; OK-Junior (OK-J), the under-15 direct-drive class; KZ, the primary gearbox class; KZ2, the secondary gearbox class; and 60 Mini, the under-12 international class.[6][7] Rotax was founded in 1920 as an internal combustion engine manufacturer and entered the FK class in 1983,[8] later founding the Rotax Max Challenge in 2000.[9] Italian American Motor Engineering (IAME) was founded as a kart manufacturer in 1968 as a merger between Parilla and Komet; it began operating its single-design championships, the IAME Series, in 2007.[10][11][12][13] The Switzerland-based RGMMC Group had been established in 2004, later becoming the promoter of Rotax events in 2006, IAME events in 2016, and CIK-FIA events in 2018.[14] Across 2018 and 2019 with the latter, RGMMC promoted six World Championships, two World Cups, and eight European Championships.[15][16]
Championship beginnings (2020–2023)
2020: Debut during COVID-19 pandemic
COTF was founded in 2020 by the RGMMC Group to promote and develop four CIK-FIA classes—OK, OK-J, KZ2, and 60 Mini.[17] Its inaugural round at Wackersdorf on 7–10 May was delayed and cancelled amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe,[18] as was the Kristianstad round on 25–28 June,[19] leaving Zuera as the debut circuit of the series on 16–19 July.[20] Over 170 drivers entered in preparation for the opening round of the European Championship that month.[21] The second and final round was held on 1 November at Portimão in the OK and OK-J classes, serving as direct preparation for the World Championship one week later.[22] The inaugural champions were Nikita Bedrin (OK), Arvid Lindblad (OK-J), Paolo Ippolito (KZ2), and Dmitry Matveev (60 Mini).[23][21]
2021–2023: Introduction of Euro Series and Academy Program
The 2021 season was contested in OK and OK-J across three rounds at Genk, Zuera, and Campillos.[24] The latter round replaced the Franciacorta and Castelletto rounds—which were cancelled due to logistical challenges—and provided support for the upcoming World Championship.[25][26][24] Rafael Câmara and reigning World Champion Freddie Slater claimed the championships in OK and OK-J, respectively.[27] Prior to the 2022 season, the one-off Champions of the Future Winter Series was held at Franciacorta in: OK, won by Tomass Štolcermanis; OK-J, won by Maciej Gładysz; and KZ2, won by Simo Puhakka.[28][29] The regular season was re-branded as the Champions of the Future Euro Series—held over four rounds timetabled by factory-backed teams at Portimão, Zuera, Kristianstad, and Franciacorta—and won by British drivers Joe Turney (OK) and Nathan Tye (OK-J).[30][31]
In 2023, COTF founded the Champions of the Future Academy Program (COTFA) in collaboration with F1 Academy, a single-round event at Al Forsan—the series' first expansion beyond continental Europe—in the recently established low-cost OK-National (OK-N) and OKN-Junior (OKN-J) classes, as well as 60 Mini.[32][33] F1 Academy sponsored the entries of three female drivers in each class, which Fred Smith of Road & Track opined "could completely alter the access women have to Formula One" within a decade.[34] Austin Gale (OK-N), James Anagnostiadis (OKN-J), and Dan Allemann (60 Mini) were the inaugural winners.[32] The five-round Euro Series was held at Valencia, Třinec, Rødby, Cremona, and Franciacorta—each preceding rounds of the European and World Championships and won by Alex Powell in OK and Lewis Wherrell in OK-J.[35][36] The Třinec round marked the first appearance of CIK-FIA competition in the Czech Republic since the 1990s.[37] TKART described the series that year as "a must" for the leading international drivers and teams.[38]
Expansion into eight classes and national series (2024–present)
2024–2025: Establishment of gearbox classes
With the creation of Champions of the Future Shifters in 2024, COTF expanded into all eight CIK-FIA classes: OK, OK-J, KZ, KZ2, KZ2-Masters (KZ2-M),[note 1] OK-N, OKN-J, and 60 Mini.[40] The one-round championship at Portimão was won by 2020 World Champion Jérémy Iglesias in KZ, Daniel Vasile in KZ2, and Anthony Abbasse in KZ2-M.[40] The Euro Series was again held over five rounds at Valencia, Val d'Argenton, Slovakia, Kristianstad, and PF International, being won for the second time by Turney in OK, and Dries Van Langendonck in OK-J.[41] The COTFA was expanded to six rounds—Cremona, Valencia, Franciacorta, Dubai, Al Ain, and Al Forsain—and was won by Luna Fluxá (OK-N), defending champion Anagnostiadis (OKN-J), and Priam Bruno (60 Mini).[42][43] Fluxá became the fifth woman in history to win a major senior international karting title,[note 2] and the first in a global championship since Susanna Raganelli in 1966.[51] Vroomkart described the COTFA that year as an "innovative model based on inclusion, cost efficiency, and equal competition opportunities", noting its use of driver coaches from FIA Formula 2 and F1 Academy, including Isack Hadjar.[52] It was used to scout driver talent by the Mercedes Junior Team and the Sauber Academy.[53]
The Shifters series expanded to two rounds in 2025 at Valencia and Franciacorta, won by the to-be World Champion in each category: Senna van Walstijn (KZ), Maksim Orlov (KZ2), and Angelo Lombardo (KZ2-M);[54] the former event was marred by controversy as 21 drivers, including six World Champions, boycotted the KZ final in a dispute with the CIK-FIA over its mandating Dunlop tyres.[55][56] Speedcafe stated that RGMMC "[had] become the unwilling pawn in the middle of the game between the drivers and the FIA" and was unaware of the issue prior—19 of the 23 finalists withdrew or retired mid-race.[57][58] The CIK-FIA subsequently dropped Dunlop as a tyre supplier.[59] The five-round Euro Series was claimed by two British drivers:[note 3] reigning junior World Champion Kenzo Craigie (OK) and Noah Baglin (OK-J), the latter overturning a 31-point deficit to William Calleja.[61] Half of the OK-N entrants in COTFA were female,[62] where Markas Šilkūnas was victorious over Chiara Bättig across six rounds at Portimão, Valencia, Jesolo, Slovakia, Al Ain, and Al Forsan; Conor Clancy won in OKN-J as Angelina Simons ended third, whilst Italian prodigy Niccoló Perico dominated in 60 Mini.[63]
2026: National championships
In 2026, COTFA is set to expand into the United Kingdom in collaboration with Motorsport UK, forming the four-round British Champions of the Future Academy Programme (British COTFA).[64] It is also due to hold an Emirati title,[note 4] held across two rounds in November 2025 and February 2026 as another feeder series to the international COTFA,[65] and a single-round Macanese title at Coloane in January.[note 5][66] F1 Academy are set to expand their support to nine drivers in both the British and Emirati series for a total of 27.[65] The Champions of the Future America Series (COTFAS) is set to debut across 10 rounds from January to September in partnership with K1 at K1 Circuit in California and Spring Mountain in Nevada, featuring a US$130,000 prize pool.[67][68]
Format
The inaugural edition of COTF held four-day weekends: free practice sessions on the Thursday and Friday mornings, qualifying practice on Friday afternoon, qualifying heats on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and pre-finals/finals on the Sunday afternoon.[69] The registration fees were €495 per round for 60 Mini and €595 for OK, OK-J, and KZ2.[69] By 2024, the round fees increased to €675 for the Euro Series and Shifters, with an additional €100 charge for free practice.[70][71] The season fees for the arrive-and-drive Academy Program that year were €29,000 (OK-N and OKN-J) and €23,000 (60 Mini),[42] including a new chassis, engines, tyres, fuel, a paddock area, logistical support, travel, and accommodation.[72]
Euro Series
As of 2025, the Euro Series is held over a three-day weekend composed of free practice (FP), time trials (TT), qualifying heats (QH), super heats (SH), and the finals:[73]
- Thursday: FP + TT (morning), QH (afternoon);
- Friday: warm-up + QH;
- Saturday: warm-up + SH (morning), OK-J and OK final (afternoon).
The Euro Series follows the general CIK-FIA points system, with a maximum of: 25 for QH, 25 for SH, and 50 for finals; dead heats are settled via count-back in finals.[74][75]
Shifters
As of 2025, Shifters is held over a three-day weekend composed of free practice (FP), qualifying practice (QP), qualifying heats (QH), super heats (SH), and the finals:[76]
- Thursday: FP (morning), QP (afternoon);
- Friday: warm-up + QH;
- Saturday: warm-up + SH (morning), KZ and KZ2 final (afternoon).
Shifters follows the general CIK-FIA points system, with a maximum of: 25 for QH, 25 for SH, and 50 for finals; dead heats are settled via count-back in finals.[77][75]
Academy Program
As of 2025, the Academy Program is held over a three-day weekend composed of free practice (FP), qualifying practice (QP), qualifying heats (QH), and two finals in each class:[78]
- Friday: FP;
- Saturday: FP + QP + QH (morning), OKN-J, 60 Mini, and OK-N final one (afternoon);
- Sunday: FP + QP + QH (morning), OKN-J, 60 Mini, and OK-N final two (afternoon).
The Academy Program follows the general CIK-FIA points system, with a maximum of: 25 for QH and 50 for finals; dead heats are settled via count-back in finals.[79][75]
Circuits
COTF exclusively operates on kart circuits with homologation from the CIK-FIA. As of 2025, 18 circuits have appeared on the international COTF calendar:
| Circuit | Location | App | Span | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circuito Internacional de Zuera |  Zuera, Spain |
3 | 2020–2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kartódromo Internacional do Algarve |  Portimão, Portugal |
5 | 2020–2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Karting Genk |  Genk, Belgium |
1 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Karting Campillos | Campillos, Spain |
2 | 2021–2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Franciacorta Karting Track |  Bargnana, Italy |
5[a] | 2022–2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Åsum Ring |  Kristianstad, Sweden |
3 | 2022–2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kartódromo Internacional Lucas Guerrero | Valencia, Spain |
5 | 2023–2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steel Ring Třinec |  Třinec, Czech Republic |
1 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rødby Karting Ring |  Rødbyhavn, Denmark |
2 | 2023–2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cremona Karting | San Martino del Lago, Italy |
2 | 2023–2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Al Forsan International Sports Resort |  Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
3 | 2023–2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Circuit du Val d'Argenton |  Argentonnay, France |
1 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Slovak Karting Center |  Orechová Potôň, Slovakia |
2 | 2024–2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PF International Kart Circuit |  Brandon, England |
1 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dubai Kartodrome | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
1 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Al Ain Raceway | Al Ain, United Arab Emirates |
2 | 2024–2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leopard Circuit Viterbo | Viterbo, Italy |
1 | 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pista Azzurra | Jesolo, Italy |
1 | 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source:[80][81][82][83][84][85] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Live coverage
COTF is broadcast on YouTube and Motorsport.tv with live footage, commentary, and interviews for all competitive sessions.[86] The final round of the 2025 Shifters at Franciacorta had a record viewership of over 19 thousand people,[87] with over six thousand watching the opening round of the 2024 Academy Program at Cremona.[88] Apex Timing provides live timing for each COTF event, including free practice and all competitive sessions, via their website.[89]
International champions
| Drivers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| * | Driver has competed in Formula One | ||
| † | Formula One World Drivers' Champion | ||
| ‡ | FIA World Champion in an auto racing discipline | ||
| Tyres | |||
| B | Bridgestone | LC | LeCont |
| C | Carlisle | M | Maxxis |
| D | Dunlop | MG | MG Tires |
| G | Goodyear | M | Mojo |
| K | Komet | V | Vega |
Champions of the Future / Champions of the Future Euro Series (2020–present)
OK (2020–present)
| Year | Champion | Chassis | Engine | Tyres | Wins | Podiums | Points | % Points | Runner-up | Margin | Third place | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 |  Nikita Bedrin |
Tony Kart | Vortex | LC | 1 | 3 | 162 | 87.097 | Joe Turney |
4 |  Rafael Câmara | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | Rafael Câmara |
KR | IAME | MG | 1 | 4 | 260 | 79.511 | Arvid Lindblad* |
4 |  Nikola Tsolov | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | Joe Turney |
Tony Kart | Vortex | MG | 2 | 3 | 92 | 66.667 | Luigi Coluccio |
10 |  Tomass Štolcermanis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 |  Alex Powell |
KR | IAME | MG | 2 | 6 | 231 | 66.957 | Kean Nakamura-Berta[b] |
19 | Joe Turney | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | Joe Turney (2) |
KR | IAME | M | 2 | 7 | 315 | 74.118 | Thibaut Ramaekers |
68 |  Fionn McLaughlin | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | Kenzo Craigie |
KR | IAME | M | 2 | 7 | 333 | 78.353 | Thibaut Ramaekers |
56 | Christian Costoya | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source:[90][91][92][93][94][95] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
OK-Junior (2020–present)
| Year | Champion | Chassis | Engine | Tyres | Wins | Podiums | Points | % Points | Runner-up | Margin | Third place | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Arvid Lindblad* |
KR | IAME | MG | 1 | 2 | 171 | 91.935 |  Ugo Ugochukwu |
4 | Freddie Slater | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | Freddie Slater |
Kosmic | Vortex | MG | 2 | 2 | 249 | 76.147 | Kirill Kutskov |
7 | Maximilian Popov | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | Nathan Tye |
Sodi | TM | V | 3 | 7 | 124 | 89.855 |  Anatoly Khavalkin[c] |
37 | Dmitry Matveev[d] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | Lewis Wherrell |
Exprit | TM | V | 5 | 8 | 243 | 70.435 | Dries Van Langendonck |
51 | Thibaut Ramaekers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | Dries Van Langendonck |
Exprit | TM | M | 5 | 7 | 257 | 60.471[e] |  Niklas Schaufler |
20 | Kenzo Craigie | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | Noah Baglin |
KR | IAME | M | 4 | 6 | 309 | 72.706 |  William Calleja |
73 |  Ilie Tristan Crisan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source:[90][91][92][93][94][95] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
KZ2 (2020)
60 Mini (2020)
| Year | Champion | Chassis | Engine | Tyres | Wins | Podiums | Points | % Points | Runner-up | Margin | Third place | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Dmitry Matveev |
Energy | TM | MG | 2 | 2 | 89 | 100.000 |  Kean Nakamura-Berta |
4 |  Mark Kastelic | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source:[90] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Champions of the Future Academy Program (2023–present)
OK-National (2023–present)
| Year | Champion | Chassis | Engine | Tyres | Wins | Podiums | Points | % Points | Runner-up | Margin | Third place | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 |  Austin Gale |
KR | IAME | V | 0 | 2 | 48 | 77.419 | Peter Stiller |
2 |  Suleiman Zanfari | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | Luna Fluxá |
KR | IAME | V | 10 | 17 | 665 | 87.500 |  Markas Šilkūnas |
125 | Hugo Herrouin | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | Markas Šilkūnas |
KR | IAME | V | 13 | 18 | 696 | 91.579 |  Chiara Bättig |
149 |  Wojtek Woda | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source:[97][98][99] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
OKN-Junior (2023–present)
| Year | Champion | Chassis | Engine | Tyres | Wins | Podiums | Points | % Points | Runner-up | Margin | Third place | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | James Anagnostiadis |
KR | IAME | V | 1 | 2 | 52 | 83.871 | Conor Clancy |
0[f] | Kaiden Higgins | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | James Anagnostiadis (2) |
KR | IAME | V | 12 | 18 | 674 | 88.684 |  William Marshall |
174 | Toby Gale | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | Conor Clancy |
KR | IAME | V | 6 | 12 | 519 | 68.289 | Many Nuvolini |
84 | Angelina Simons | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source:[97][98][99] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
60 Mini (2023–present)
| Year | Champion | Chassis | Engine | Tyres | Wins | Podiums | Points | % Points | Runner-up | Margin | Third place | U10 Champion | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Dan Allemann |
Parolin | TM | V | 2 | 2 | 61 | 98.387 | Priam Bruno |
9 | Leonidas Peruzzi |
N/a | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | Priam Bruno |
Parolin | TM | V | 9 | 15 | 664 | 87.368 | Niccoló Perico |
102 |  Albert Tamm |
Niccoló Perico | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | Niccoló Perico |
Parolin | TM | V | 11 | 14 | 644 | 84.737[g] | Wynn Godschalk |
124 | Zayne Burgess |
Wynn Godschalk | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source:[97][98][99] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Champions of the Future Shifters (2024–present)
KZ (2024–present)
KZ2 (2024–present)
| Year | Champion | Chassis | Engine | Tyres | Wins | Podiums | Points | % Points | Runner-up | Margin | Third place | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 |  Daniel Vasile |
Birel ART | TM | D | 1 | 1 | N/a | N/a | Markus Kajak |
N/a |  Artem Severiukhin[h] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | Maksim Orlov |
Sodi | TM | D LC |
3 | 5 | 180 | 90.000 |  Max Schleimer |
62 |  Kasper Schormans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source:[100][101] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
KZ2-Masters (2024–present)
National champions
Macau (2026–present)
The Champions of the Future Academy Program Macau (Chinese: 未來冠軍學院賽; COTFA Macau) is the national championship of Macau sanctioned by the Automobile General Association Macao-China (AAMC), which debuted in 2026 at Coloane as a support race to the Macau International Kart Grand Prix.[66]
United Arab Emirates (2025–present)
The Champions of the Future Academy Program UAE (COTFA UAE) is the national championship of the United Arab Emirates sanctioned by the Emirates Motorsports Organization (EMSO), which is set to debut across two rounds in 2025 and 2026 at Al Forsan.[65]
| Season | Champion | Chassis | Engine | Tyres | Runner-up | Third place | Class | Stroke | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025–26 | To be determined | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United Kingdom (2026–present)
The British Champions of the Future Academy Programme (British COTFA) is the national championship of the United Kingdom sanctioned by Motorsport UK, which is set to debut across eight rounds in 2026 at Silverstone, PF International, Larkhall, and Whilton Mill.[64]
| Year | Champion | Chassis | Engine | Tyres | Runner-up | Third place | Class | Stroke | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | To be determined | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United States (2026–present)
The Champions of the Future American Series (COTFAS) is the national championship of the United States sanctioned by K1, which is set to debut across 10 rounds in 2026 at K1 Circuit and Spring Mountain.[67]
| Year | Champion | Chassis | Engine | Tyres | Runner-up | Third place | Class | Stroke | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | To be determined | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Winter Series
The Champions of the Future Winter Series, also known simply as the Winter Series, was held as a one-off event at Franciacorta on 24–27 February 2022.[28]
| Champion | Chassis | Engine | Tyres | Runner-up | Third place | Class | Stroke | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomass Štolcermanis |
Energy | TM | MG | Matheus Ferreira |
Kean Nakamura-Berta[b] |
OK | 125cc | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maciej Gładysz |
LN | Vortex | V |  Andrés Cárdenas |
Anatoly Khavalkin |
OK-J | 125cc | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Simo Puhakka |
Tony Kart | Vortex | LC | Giuseppe Palomba |
David Liwiński |
KZ2 | 125cc | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source:[103] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Driver development programme
In August 2025, RGMMC—in partnership with its sister company Motorsport Performance Academy—announced the creation of the Champions of the Future Racing Academy, a year-long driver development programme led by Augusto Farfus with extensive Formula 4 testing for drivers in their final season of kart racing.[104] The COTFA champions will additionally receive test sessions, with the OK-N champion receiving an F4 test and the OKN-J champion a legends car test.[105]
Notes
- Luna Fluxá became the fifth woman in history to win a major senior international karting title, after:
- Susanna Raganelli, World Championship, 1966;[44]
- Cathy Muller, European Championship, 100 cc, 1979;[45]
- Sophie Kumpen, Andrea Margutti Trophy, FA, 1995;[46]
- Beitske Visser, WSK Master Series, KZ2, 2010[47]
- Champions of the Future Academy Program UAE (COTFA UAE)
- Champions of the Future Academy Program Macau (COTFA Macau)
- Including the one-off Winter Series in 2022.
- Kean Nakamura-Berta is Japanese and Slovak but competed under a British licence.
- Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the FIA banned competitors from racing under the Russian and Belarusian flags, allowing them to compete neutrally.[96]
- Dmitry Matveev is Russian but competed under an Italian licence.
- Dries Van Langendonck did not contest three rounds of the 2024 OK-Junior Euro Series; he scored 64.250% of available points in the rounds he contested.
- James Anagnostiadis and Conor Clancy ended the event tied on 52 points, with Anagnostiadis clinching the championship by virtue of final-round finishing position.
- Artem Severiukhin is Russian but competed under an Armenian licence.