The morning rain gradually disappeared and only the first race of the day, the KZ2 Heat 1, was mostly run on rain tyres. Dark in the morning, the skies also cleared to light up the lively battles between the competitors on Vega slick tyres. At the end of the Qualifying Heats which ended on Saturday, the previous leaders of the FIA Karting European Championships - KZ & KZ2 lost a good part of their advantage and the awarding of the titles on Sunday could well hold surprises. Similarly in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy, the ranking is not immune to some changes during this Belgian competition, the penultimate meeting of the season for the young talents.

KZ2: Trefilov in control, Cunati in good shape

While the track was still slippery, the first Qualifying Heat of the FIA Karting European Championship - KZ2 gave rise to some less than voluntary acrobatic moves. Senna Van Walstijn (NLD) was the victim of this, as was Tom Leuillet (FRA) who was deprived of victory at the last corner by Kristijan Habulin (HRV), who was advantaged by his slick tyres, but then penalised for this manoeuvre. Gustavsson, David Trefilov (DEU) and Van Walstijn were the three winners of the day. Trefilov took maximum points and pole position for the start of the Final on Sunday morning, ahead of four of the provisional top five drivers in the Championship standings: Simone Cunati (ITA) in 2nd, Paavo Tonteri (FIN) in 3rd, both regulars at the front of the field, and Gustavsson who dropped to 4th ahead of Leonardo Marseglia (ITA). Delayed in Heat 2, Giuseppe Palomba (ITA) was only 13th.

David and Zilisch tied in Academy

The six Qualifying Heats of the FIA Karting Academy Trophy were certainly the most exciting of the day. Thanks to his victory in the last race, Zachary David (PHL) finished tied with Connor Zilisch (USA), the leader of the provisional ranking, who started from 17th place in Qualifying. Matteo De Palo (ITA) was also very consistent and finished 3rd in front of the poleman Tom Braeken (BEL) who was delayed in the last race. Macéo Capietto (FRA) crashed at the last corner after his 14th fastest lap time and took 5th place. Jonathan Weywadt (NLD) and Maxime Furon-Castelain (LUX) were 13th and 14th respectively.

Kremers takes the lead in KZ

The collision between the top two drivers, Noah Millel (SWE) and Stan Pex (NLD), shortly after the start of the first Qualifying Heat of the FIA Karting European Championship - KZ set the tone. The relative discretion of the favourites in the provisional standings, Alessandro Irlando (ITA) and Simo Puhakka (FIN), was the other notable element at this stage. Marijn Kremers (NLD) won the first heat and his two 3rd places earned him the lead of the competition. Milell had two victories in an attempt to put his misadventure behind him and was second against his rival Stan Pex (NLD). Adrien Renaudin (FRA) moved up to fourth place ahead of Riccardo Longhi (ITA). Irlando was seventh in front of Puhakka. In pole position for the start of the Final, Kremers is also in a favourable situation for the Championship.

Provisional schedule for Sunday, 6th September

09:00 - 10:10: Warm-up
10:20 - 13:20: Finals

The Genk Competition is to be followed on the official FIA Karting Championship app for mobile devices and on the website www.fiakarting.com.