Ishaan Madesh sparkles in FP3, gains international exposure: FIA Academy karting
Genk (Belgium) 13 May 2022: Indian karting champion Ishaan Madesh of Bengaluru bounced back brilliantly to mingle with the cream of talent from all over the world as he stood in the top-8 showing resilience amidst adverse weather conditions in the practice sessions here on Friday.
The Peregrine Racing talent is representing India in the first round of the FIA Karting European Championship which is hosting the FIA Karting Academy Trophy where 53 countries were accommodated with one driver representing each country.
The conditions were ideal for local drivers but with no time for acclimatisation, the Indian made the best out of the practices sessions on Friday. In the first two practice sessions, the Indian had teething troubles and had issues with the kart but not the one to give up so soon, the determined Ishaan made amends and put in a stunning session to shoot to the top eight clocking 54.357 seconds and was just off 0.162sec off the leader to finish 8th. The event turned out to be very competitive with 19 karters within half-a-second at the top. For the record, Harry Arnett of Australia topped the session with a best lap clocking 54.195.
However, in the qualifying session Ishaan Madesh could not have the result he wanted as he suffered issues again but managed to finish 19 among 27 karters in his heat. Guillaume Bouzar (LUX) took the pole in Academy but the Indian is confident to put up good performance on Saturday and Sunday.
Shod on LeCont tyres in an identical Exprit/Vortex karts, Ishaan was allocated a kart by drawing of lots. He was able to familiarise with the equipment but it was too short a seat time to get used to the international standards that the event beckons. The Indian did adapt quickly and is eager to make a mark in the next two days.
“I love to race abroad as international events require more focus as the standards are very high. I am enjoying my sessions here and it is a good learning experience. I missed being in the front, in the early sessions but did have fun coming 8th in FP3. I am looking forward to the next session,” said Ishaan Madesh, from Belgium.
54 ENTRIES IN THE ACADEMY
“The FIA wanted to open up additional places in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy. So now the FIA Karting’s global talent-detection programme will have drivers from 53 nations. Formula Medicine, a Driver training organisation created more than 30 years ago by Dr. Riccardo Ceccarelli, returns to the Academy with an educational programme designed to improve the skills and knowledge of the young drivers,” said CIK FIA chief Akbar Ebrahim, who was instrumental in karters for more countries taking part in the Academy trophy.
Among the 54 drivers, five are competing in their second season in the Academy, including Caleb Gafrarar (USA), 11th in 2021 and Nicolas Roos (ZAF) 18th in 2021. Nine drivers are also entered in the FIA Karting European Championship – OK-Junior, including Arthur Dorison (FRA) currently seventh in the provisional rankings and Guillaume Bouzar (LUX) 12th. Among the three women, Chiara Bätig from Switzerland is supported by the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission.
