History was written in Italy today (Sunday 8 November) as Dean Hoogendoorn and Antoine Sylva Venant became motor sport’s newest World Champions, taking their place among the sport’s most celebrated names.
In the 70th anniversary year of karting, they join a distinguished list of FIA Karting World Champions that includes François Goldstein, Mike Wilson, Davide Forè, Jarno Trulli, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris.
Having trained and prepared for this race all year, both world champions handled the immense pressure and weight of expectation with great composure, delivering final drives of maturity and skill far beyond their years. With the Mondokart.com World Championship secured, they have both cemented their status as two of motor sport’s most exciting and talked-about prospects destined for incredible success over the coming years.
In Original Kart (OK), Dean Hoogendoorn powered to victory this afternoon fending off tough opposition from Henry Domain who kept the championship alive until the last few laps of the final. Hoogendoorn led the final from start to finish, maintaining composure despite the fierce battles unfolding behind. Securing his first FIA win of the year and the first ever World Championship team victory for Parolin, the Dutch driver could hardly contain his emotion as he crossed the line in what will be his last major karting race of his promising career before he races in FIA-certified Formula 4 next year.
In Junior, Antoine Sylva Venant delivered a masterful performance, recovering from a poor start off the line to make up positions, clinically take the lead and steadily build a gap to Daniel Miron Lorente behind to comfortably secure the Junior World Champion title. The Belgian VDK driver was embraced by his team following his win, including his father, who has been at his side as his engineer, making the victory especially meaningful for the family.
Hoogendoorn and Venant will formally receive their World Champion trophies next month at the FIA Awards in Shanghai. They will be joined by the champions of the FIA’s five other World Championships, including 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Antonelli, at the star-studded ceremony honouring the achievements of the world’s greatest motor sport stars from this year.
Dean Hoogendoorn, 2026 FIA Karting OK World Champion, said:
“It was so hard staying calm, it was my first time really leading a world championship final and I’m so so happy and so thankful to everyone that has supported me. I’m so happy that we’ve taken the win. It’s my last race [in karting] I was thinking before the weekend if I don’t finish good this weekend it’s going to be a big big heartbreak but I’m so happy I’m standing at the top today.”
Top 3 in the 2026 Mondokart.com FIA Karting OK World Championship:
1. Dean Hoogendoorn (NED, Parolin)
2. Henry Domain (GBR, MP Motorsport)
3. Ilie Tristan Crisan (CAN, Tony Kart)
Antoine Sylva Venant, 2026 FIA Karting Junior World Champion, said:
“I’m very happy because we progressed a lot in the year. I tried to stay focused on the race. I was so happy and I won it for my grandparents, a big thanks. I’m super happy that my father is also one of my bosses and when I work with him I don’t say dad, I say Raffaelle!”
Top 3 in the 2026 Mondokart.com FIA Karting Junior World Championship:
1. Antoine Sylva Venant (BEL, VDK)
2. Daniel Miron Lorente (ESP, MP)
3. Miguel Manzano (MEX, Ricky Flynn)
Read more at fiakarting.com
photo KSP Reportages, fiakarting.com
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