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Tamás Gender Jr. joins world class karting team known for developing F1 drivers

2024.09.05

The young racer is preparing for the Karting World Championship in the UK as a Birel ART driver

Following in the footsteps of legends like Mika Häkkinen, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Robert Kubica, Tamás Gender Jr. is returning to the track with the prestigious Birel ART team, gearing up for the challenges of the Karting World Championship in September.

Tamás Gender Jr. continues his career as a factory kart driver for the globally recognized Birel ART team. The young racer began his preparations for the Karting World Championship, which will take place in the United Kingdom this September, racing for the Italian brand this past weekend.

The move to Birel ART is a significant achievement for Tamás Gender Jr., as the team is one of the most prestigious factory outfits in the international karting elite, particularly in the highly competitive Italian championships. Birel ART was founded in 1959 by Umberto Sala, the grandfather of the current team principal Ronni Sala. Since then, they have secured 26 World Championship titles and have won numerous other championships.

Several future star drivers have raced for Birel, including F1 World Champion Keke Rosberg, two-time World Champion Mika Häkkinen, and Jenson Button. Race winners like Riccardo Patrese, Juan Pablo Montoya, Robert Kubica, and George Russell also competed for Birel. Additionally, Emanuele Pirro, a five-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, is also a former Birel driver.

The Italian company races with chassis developed and manufactured in-house and also produces branded karts for Robert Kubica, Daniel Ricciardo, and Charles Leclerc. Birel ART took its current form in 2014 when Nicolas Todt, co-owner of the ART Grand Prix Formula team, joined Birel.

This way, Birel ART drivers have the opportunity to streamline their careers with ART Grand Prix teams competing at various levels of junior single seater racing. Through Nicolas Todt, they are also under the watchful eye of a highly successful manager, which can significantly influence their progression.

"I am very excited to join the Birel ART team. Out of several offers, I felt that this was the place where I could continue my career under the best possible conditions. I was happy with my previous team as well, but the offer from Birel ART showed the greatest confidence in me. I would like to thank Ronni Sala and the members of Birel ART for this opportunity, and I hope that together we can achieve great success!" said Tamás Gender Jr.

Preparations are underway for the World Championship

Tamás Gender Jr. last competed in May at La Conca in Italy, where he suffered a rib injury. He recovered over the summer and also visited the Formula Regional by Alpine race at the Hungaroring.

At the end of August, he returned to the track in preparation for the FIA Karting World Championship, set to take place on September 15, 2024, at the PF International Circuit in the United Kingdom.

The young Hungarian driver competed in the 5th round of the British Club Championship in the X30 Junior category, and during the first weekend of September, he will participate in the Champions of the Future race weekend at the same circuit. In this event, he will race in the OK Junior category against the same competitors he will face in the World Championship.