After his numerous successes this season in the Mini category, Bogdan Cosma-Cristofor launched himself into the Junior category at the age of 12 and has begun this new challenge with a first victory at the WSK Final Cup in Lonato! This breathtaking feat once again demonstrates the talent of this young Romanian hopeful and his fighting spirit, whatever the standard of his rivals or the difficulties to be overcome. This is already Bogdan's third title in the prestigious WSK series.
Rapid adaptation
Barely off the top step of the podium in Sarno, where he won the WSK Euro Series, Bogdan Cosma-Cristofor was learning a new category and a much more powerful kart, with very high performance from the chassis, the engine, and the grippier tyres. Bogdan will be racing in the Junior class in 2024, so he didn't hesitate to take the plunge at the end of the season. His excellent lap times quickly achieved at South Garda Karting proved that the Team Driver Racing Kart driver was already ready to fight at the front in the 12-14 age group.
Magnificent comebacks before the Final
No fewer than 340 drivers of over 50 nationalities took part in the WSK Final Cup, resulting in a very high standard of driving and some very intense racing. Competing in the X30 Junior class, Bogdan set the 8th fastest time in Qualifying. While this may have been a fine result for his first race at the top level, Bogdan already knew in his heart that he was capable of much better. So he went on the attack in the first Qualifying Heat, during which he moved up three places and set the fastest lap of the race. He gained a further position in Heat 2 and brilliantly won Heat 3, once again proving to be the fastest driver on the track.
An undecided but victorious Final for Bogdan
Bogdan Cosma-Cristofor returned to the starting grid in P2 for the decisive race at the wheel of his KR-IAME kart, and it took him less than three laps to move to the top of the order. A superb duel then got underway with his main rival. With three laps to go, he regained the lead after a magnificent overtaking manoeuvre, before resisting his rival's pressure to the end. At the top of the podium, to the sound of the Romanian anthem, Bogdan could be proud of winning the X30 Junior class in his very first race in the category.
David De Luchi, team manager of Driver Racing Kart, his coach Dragos Gulie, his mechanics Catalin Caloianu and Francesco Bruno, as well as DFR Engines for the IAME X30 engines, supported Bogdan perfectly in his quest for victory.
"I'd also like to thank my partners: One United Properties, Black Fire, Miko Med, Miko Dental, Miko Beauty, and Urban Automobile, not forgetting the International School of Bucharest for its support," concluded Bogdan.