Belgian Thibaut Ramaekers, runner-up in the FIA Karting European Championship Junior, enjoyed a fine weekend in Cremona (ITA). He took pole position, confirmed his position in 1st place in the Qualifying Heats and won the Final with the fastest lap in the race. With a lead of over 40 points going into Italy, Oleksandr Bondarev was able to manage the competition with great maturity and was crowned European Champion.

The FIA's International Karting Ranking (IKR), based on the eight best results, immediately incorporated the Cremona results, and Thibaut Ramaekers climbed to first place in all categories out of the more than 1,100 drivers classified to date.

"I won the last round of the European Championship and became European vice-champion after scoring maximum points this weekend. Winning two Finals out of four in my first European Championship is something I couldn't have imagined at the start of the season. I'd like to thank my VDK Racing team for the incredible job they've done since the start of the season. I'd also like to congratulate Bondarev on his well-deserved title," said the RACB national team driver.

Age 13, Thibaut is competing in his fourth international season this year. Trained in X30 Mini from 2019, he moved up to X30 Junior from 2021 before taking his first steps in OK-Junior in 2022. He took part in the 2022 FIA Karting Academy Trophy in the colours of Belgium. His best performances came on the Cremona circuit (4th), before finishing 12th in the Trophy. Thibaut began the European Junior Championship with a resounding victory in Valencia. He went on to finish 4th in Trinec and 18th in Rødby, while he concluded with a success in Italy that propelled him to the top of the provisional IKR rankings.

-> Go to the International Karting Ranking

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