On Friday 14 May, 174 drivers from 42 countries took part in the Qualifying Practice for the first of the four 2021 FIA Karting European Championship - OK and Junior - events at the Genk circuit (BEL). The changing weather situation played a role in the overall standings, although the track remained dry apart from a short shower in the second timed OK session. Singapore's Askay Bohra took the Junior pole position and the American Ugo Ugochukwu took the top class.

The Champions of the Future series held at Portimao was the perfect time to hold a final rehearsal in optimal conditions before the FIA Karting World Championship in the OK and OK-Junior categories. This was on the minds of all the drivers, who gathered a lot of information in preparation for the biggest event of the season. In terms of results, Polish driver Timoteusz Kucharczyk proved to be the top representative of the official Birel ART Racing team.