FIA Investing in Next Generation of Champions with Inaugural Karting Shootout in Valencia

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, has announced the first FIA Karting Shootout will be held in Valencia, Spain over 2 – 7 December 2025. The Aspar Karting Circuit in Valencia will host the event, which is designed to educate, evaluate and assess drivers based on their driving, technical, physical and mental agility. Over the five days, practical sessions and workshops will be provided before each participant completes a combination of on-track assessments and off-track examinations overseen by a panel of experienced judges to assess their overall skill and race craft to reward well-rounded drivers as they begin to climb the motor sport pyramid. Junior drivers will be completing their on-track assessments in karts provided by Parolin Motorsport, with LeCont selected as the tyre supplier. Senior drivers meanwhile will take the next step in their early motor sport careers as they are evaluated in Formula 4 cars provided by Campos, with Pirelli selected as the official tyre supplier and partner of the event. As part of the FIA’s commitment to driver development, the event will support the senior drivers as they transition to car racing and encourage healthy, safe and fair racing at the start of their careers. 24 drivers have earned a place at the FIA Karting Shootout as a result of their successful performance across FIA Karting championships and events this year. The 2025 FIA Karting OK and OK-J World Champions, OK-N and OK-NJ World Cup winners and the Academy Trophy winners have all been invited to attend. The top three finishers from the Senior and Junior categories of last week’s Arrive and Drive World Cup have also received an invitation to the Shootout including Junior winner Troy Ferguson and Senior winner Zach Tucker.

By recognising success equally across each of the FIA Karting disciplines, the event forms a cornerstone of the FIA’s Global Karting Plan, launched last year to grow karting at the base of the motor sport pyramid by offering new and dynamic international karting events such as the FIA Karting Arrive and Drive World Cup which will debut in Malaysia later this month. The event will also significantly strengthen and elevate the FIA Karting ecosystem by setting out clear and supported pathways of progression between the junior and senior karting categories and from senior to single seater cars. By offering drivers rewards and comprehensive support and development opportunities, the FIA is providing those who wish to begin their racing careers within FIA competitions with a gold standard framework for growth, excellence and success. At the end of the evaluation, the junior winner will receive support for their next step in the FIA Karting pyramid. The top prize includes free tyres, fuel and entries for up to 5 FIA Karting events in 2026 plus either a financial contribution to an FIA Karting team of 6,000 euros per event or a free entry to one of the FIA Arrive and Drive Continental Championships in 2026. The 2nd and 3rd place junior finishers will receive free tyres, fuel and entries for up to 5 FIA Karting events in 2026 plus either a financial contribution to an FIA Karting team of 3,000 euros per event or a free entry to one of the FIA Arrive and Drive Continental Championships in 2026 The senior winner will receive a significant financial contribution of 250,000 euros towards a team in an approved FIA-certified Formula 4 Championship, a prize which is set to transform their prospects and propel the early years of their racing careers. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, said:“The FIA Karting Shootout is the latest initiative in our FIA Global Karting Plan, designed to empower and develop the next generation of racing talent. “By investing in education, driver assessment, and financial support, this event will recognise talented drivers and help raise personal and professional standards both on and off the track.” Akbar Ebrahim, FIA Karting Commission President, said:“The FIA Karting Shootout is the latest way we are supporting driver development, raising the quality and standards of racing, whilst investing in the drivers’ personal and professional development. “The prestigious prizes on offer will transform the motor sport prospects of the winners whilst FIA Karting Shootout participation will be a prestigious certification for any young driver to achieve at the start of their career. I look forward to welcoming our first cohort to Valencia later this year.” ENDS For media enquiries please contact FIA Sport Communications Manager, Omar Sharif: osharif@fia.com The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations globally. It is a non-profit organisation committed to driving innovation and championing safety, sustainability and equality across motor sport and mobility. Founded in 1904, with offices in Paris, London and Geneva, the FIA brings together 245 Member Organisations across five continents, representing millions of road users, motor sport professionals and volunteers. It develops and enforces regulations for motor sport, including seven FIA World Championships, to ensure worldwide competitions are safe and fair for all.