DPK Racing shows consistency and pace in Portimão as the FIA European Championship hits halfway mark

The second round of the FIA Karting European Championship OK/OKJ unfolded this past weekend at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão, Portugal. Known for its demanding layout and unpredictable weather, the Portuguese track tested the field with intense conditions—yet DPK Racing rose to the occasion, delivering a weekend of strong race pace, consistency, and resilience across both categories.

As the championship reaches its mid-season turning point, DPK Racing reaffirmed its place among the top contenders in international karting, showing not only performance but depth across its lineup.

OK – Kamenik and Nilsson lead the charge at the front

The OK category saw Jakub Kamenik and Leo Nilsson emerge as key players from the very first heats. Kamenik opened the weekend with a stellar P2 finish after gaining four positions in his first outing, and he maintained this front-running pace throughout Saturday’s heats. With another Top 3 result and a string of competitive finishes, he consistently stayed within striking distance of the leaders.

Nilsson also made headlines with a six-position gain in his opening heat to finish P4. His upward trajectory continued on Saturday with two strong performances, showcasing smart racecraft and consistency in variable conditions. He ended the heats just outside the top three, placing himself as a serious challenger heading into Sunday.

Zac Green, after being forced to sit out a heat due to a DNS, bounced back with determination in his final run, showing composure and pace. Both Fausto Arnaudo and François Kerdal contributed to a strong team effort, delivering steady results and demonstrating competitive race rhythm throughout the heats.

OK Junior – Bertolaccini leads, Malik and Kappen shine in recovery drives

In OKJ, Martin Bertolaccini continued to prove himself as a pillar of consistency for the team. With two Top 10 finishes in Friday’s heats and more solid runs on Saturday, he remained a fixture in the front group. His Final was unfortunately compromised by contact in the opening laps, but his weekend performance remains a reflection of maturity and speed under pressure.

Among the most eye-catching drives was Malik, who charged through the field in his final heat with a brilliant comeback to P7, demonstrating not only raw pace but confidence in navigating through dense traffic. Nathan Kappen also impressed with a 10-position gain in one of his heats, underlining his progress and determination.

Miron Lorente added to the team’s solid showing with a competitive P14 in heat action, further rounding out a collective effort that saw multiple drivers adapting well to the challenging Portimão layout.

Mid-season momentum and team strength

With two rounds completed in the European Championship, the midway point of the 2025 international season has confirmed DPK Racing’s depth, potential, and technical strength. Across both categories, the team demonstrated that it can handle pressure, bounce back from setbacks, and extract the best out of every session.

Despite unpredictable weather, intense racing, and high stakes, DPK leaves Portugal with valuable points, experience, and confidence heading into the second half of the season.

Next stop: Viterbo, where the team will return to the track even more determined to convert pace into podiums.