The 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy heads into its decisive chapter with the fourth and final round taking place at one of the most prestigious venues in the international karting scene – the Circuito Internazionale Napoli, in Sarno, Italy.
The 1,547-meter (0.96-mile) layout, both fast and technically demanding, will welcome the Euro Trophy for the very first time, despite already being a landmark venue within the Rotax world thanks to several editions of the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals.
Most recently, Sarno staged the 2024 edition of the Grand Finals. Among this year’s contenders are no fewer than three reigning champions from last season: Jacob Ashcroft (Junior MAX), Xen De Ruwe (DD2, now competing in DD2 Masters), and current DD2 Masters leader Nicolas Picot.
The Circuito Internazionale Napoli will crown the 2025 champions and confirm the allocation of 10 Grand Finals tickets:
- Winner of the RMCET Italian Euro Cup Mini MAX
- Top 3 finishers in Junior MAX
- Top 3 finishers in Senior MAX
- Winner and 2nd in DD2
- Winner of DD2 Masters
- Mini MAX – A Single Ticket and Plenty of Variables
Though it doesn’t count towards the overall championship, Mini MAX will again award a single-event ticket to the 2025 Grand Finals, making Sarno a high-pressure round for a stacked grid of emerging talent.
Alongside established winners from earlier rounds such as Alfie Mair (SFR Motorsport), Emerson Macandrew-Uren (Dan Holland Racing), and Lucien Smith (KR Sport), new challengers will join the grid, including Lorenzo Di Pietrantonio and Wynn Godschalk (both SP Motorsport), Andreas Papageorgiou (CRG), and Robin Raikkonen (Kartshop CH).
Junior MAX – Ashcroft eyes the crown
Jacob Ashcroft (Dan Holland Racing) has been the dominant force in Junior MAX , having won in Wackersdorf and again in Genk with flawless weekends. The British driver enters the final round at the top of the standings and with momentum firmly on his side.
At Genk, Ashcroft held off a charging Kai Clarke (KR Sport) to secure another victory, while Rory Armstrong (Dan Holland Racing) confirmed his rise in form with a strong third place in the standings.
With three Grand Finals tickets up for grabs in Junior MAX (for the top 3 overall), the pressure will be immense across the entire field. And with Clarke and Armstrong both within striking distance, Sarno is poised to deliver one of the closest finales of the season.
Senior MAX – The tightest title fight yet
The Senior MAX class, which has seen the highest number of entries all season, is shaping up for a dramatic conclusion. After multiple twists across the first three rounds, it’s Sean Butcher (KR Sport) who leads the standings going into Sarno — but only just.
His main rival, Macauley Bishop (Dan Holland Racing), is just 20 points adrift and has already taken a victory this season. But it was Omar Ghannoum (KR Sport) who made headlines in Genk, with a breakthrough win that could make him a dark horse for the podium once again.
Also in the mix is Ties van Wijk , who has quietly gathered points and now sits third in the championship. With three Grand Finals tickets on the table, the final race in Sarno is expected to deliver fireworks.
DD2 / DD2 Masters – Titles within reach, but no room for mistakes
In DD2, Jakub Bezel (Kraft Motorsport) maintains the lead in the standings, thanks to his consistency across all rounds – even if Enzo Bol (SP Motorsport) stole the show in Genk with a dominant performance. Bol has always been strong at Genk, but the challenge now is to replicate that form in Sarno. Behind Bezel, Lenn Nijs and William Kristensen remain within reach, especially with two tickets available for the top 2 in the overall standings.
In unbeaten one ticket veterans DD2 Masters, the script has been written by Nicolas Picot (Privateer), who remains after three rounds. Picot leads the championship by 30 points, and with just reserved for the class champion, he’s in pole position to secure it. However, Xen De Ruwe (RMCGF winner in Sarno last year) and Maurits Knopjes are still in the hunt – and will be looking to spoil the party in Sarno.
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