The Algarve International Circuit in southern Portugal recently hosted Round 2 of the Champions of the Future Euro Series from April 23rd to 26th, 2025. The event, set in the coastal region of the Algarve, saw a large field of 180 entrants, with 92 drivers in the OK category and 88 in OK-Junior. Excellent weather conditions accompanied the three days of competition on the 1,532-meter circuit, known for its high-speed layout and elevation changes.
Tillotson Racing, powering drivers to victory. Both OK and OKJ winners chose Tillotson Carburettors.
OK Category Final
In the OK Final, Italian driver Iacopo Martinese (Cetilar Racing) secured the victory. Martinese took the lead of the 20-lap race on the second lap. Behind him, Thibaut Ramaekers (Cetilar Racing) of Belgium finished in second place, overtaking pole-sitter Joe Turney on the 11th lap. The pole position holder, Joe Turney (KR Motorsport), who had been the favourite after winning all three heats, finished in third place.
Other notable performances included American Dean Pedersen (KR Motorsport) climbing from P11 to P4, Spaniard Christian Costoya (Parolin Motorsport) gaining 12 places to finish P5, and Frenchman Thomas Pradier (Tony Kart Racing Team) making a significant gain of 17 places to finish P8. Australian Lewis Francis (KR Motorsport) finished P6, and Canadian Jensen Burnett (Forza Racing) was P7. Switzerland’s Chiara Battig (VictoryLane) and Italy’s Filippo Sala (Forza Racing) rounded out the top ten. The fastest lap of the final was set by Thibaut Ramaekers with a time of 55″495. The biggest gain in the final was recorded by Lev Krutoholov, who gained 19 positions.
OK-Junior Category Final
The OK-Junior Final was won by British driver Noah Baglin (Prema Racing). Baglin had a challenging start to the weekend, qualifying only 20th, but showed impressive form in the heats and won his Super Heat to start the final from pole position. He got off to a perfect start in the final. Finishing in second place was Dutchman Luuk Taal (VictoryLane), who moved into the position on the second lap after making passes. The battle for third place was fierce, with Will Green (KR Motorsport) securing the final podium spot.
American Turner Brown (RFM) made brilliant progress from 17th to finish P7. He finished ahead of Frenchman Luka Scelles (VictoryLane), Spaniard Manuel Miguez (CRG Racing Team), and Valerio Viapiana (Koski Motorsport). The pole position for the OK-Junior category was taken by Henry Domain with a time of 57″251, while the best lap of the final and absolute competition record was set by Dean Hoogendoorn in 57″214. The biggest gain in the OK-Junior final was made by Bruno Blanco, gaining 17 positions.
Impact on Standings
Iacopo Martinese now leads the series with 170 points, eight points clear of Joe Turney (162 pts) and 34 ahead of Christian Costoya (136 pts). The OK-Junior standings saw Henry Domain regain the lead with 146 points, ahead of William Calleja (133 pts) and Noah Baglin (125 pts). Ilie Crisan also has 125 points, making it very close between the top four drivers in OK-Junior.
The next round of the Champions of the Future Euro Series will take place at the Italian circuit of Viterbo from 28th to 31st May 2025.
