Sensational podium for David Cosma Cristofor in Slovakia
After progressing steadily and effectively in Mini and then Junior over the last few years, David Cosma Cristofor set out in OK-Senior in 2024 with determination. In the most difficult category of international karting, the one in which many great drivers have made their name, the 15-year-old Romanian hopeful was rewarded for his efforts with a first podium finish. During the third round of the Champions of the Future Euro Series on the difficult Slovakia Ring circuit, David Cosma Cristofor improved by 11 places in 23 laps to take a particularly rewarding 3rd place at the end of the final.
Already P6 and then P7 in the highly competitive WSK Promotion events organised at the start of this 2024 season, then a finalist in the first two rounds of the FIA Karting European Championship, with a top 20 finish in Spain out of a total of 85 drivers and a remarkable pole position achieved in France, David Cosma Cristofor is undoubtedly on an upward trajectory in the OK-Senior category. Talented and ambitious, the Romanian driver has taken another step forward by joining the fight for the podium among the most experienced drivers in the category.
A strong performance at the Slovakia Ring
During the Champions of the Future Euro Series held from 30th May to 2nd June, David Cosma Cristofor learned the Slovakia Ring, located around 30 minutes east of the capital Bratislava and used for the very first time for a major international event. It was going to be a very difficult challenge, with a fairly narrow layout of just 1172 metres, made up of 14 bends and running in an anti-clockwise direction! Thanks to a great deal of fine-tuning work carried out during Free Practice with the KR Motorsport team, David was able to adapt quickly to the specifics of the track and set the 13th fastest time in Qualifying out of a field of 74 drivers. A promising result!
In the first Qualifying Heat, David climbed back up to 4th position with the fastest lap of the race: further proof of his extreme speed. The following heats proved to be extremely competitive, but the Romanian remained focused and consistent to maintain his position in the top 15 overall, with a 14th position on the starting grid for the Final.
In the most important race of the event, David showed himself to be particularly combative and managed to quickly climb back up the hierarchy, thanks in particular to a successful start and a solid first lap. Unperturbed by the red flag that interrupted the Final after just a few minutes, he attacked again on the restart. Positioned P7 at the halfway point, he continued his efforts right up to the final lap and was rewarded with 3rd place on the podium.
"My KR-IAME package performed very well in Slovakia," enthused David. "I'd like to thank my team and especially Juan Duran, my mechanic, without forgetting Dino Chiesa who believed in me and enabled me to be part of the KR Motorsport team with the support of Cetilar Racing. This podium is really encouraging just a few days before the 3rd round of the FIA Karting European Championship at the Slovakia Ring. I'll be doing my utmost to remain highly motivated and competitive, with the help of my partners: One United Properties, Black Fire, Miko Med, Urban Automobile and the Bucharest International School.”