For the third event on the Champions of the Future calendar, Arena E in Mulsen highlighted drivers who have significantly increased their pace and racecraft halfway through the season. Pole sitters in all three groups for both the OK Junior and OK classes were confirmed, alongside the winners from the first two rotations of qualifying heats.
OK Junior: Miron Continues to Impress
In OK Junior, the qualifying sessions went the way of Daniel Miron (fastest overall), Julian Rivera, and Alexandre Point, with both Rivera and Point emerging as new talents to watch. Point had yet to qualify inside the top 10 this year, while Rivera had not even appeared on the Champions of the Future grid after suffering a broken ankle earlier in the year during preparations for the season.
The opening qualifying heats highlighted a lack of circuit knowledge across the field, with overtaking opportunities becoming clearer as the sessions progressed and drivers learned where moves could be made. Qualifying heat victories went to Daniel Miron (who claimed two wins), Zack Zhu, Emerson Macandrew-Uren, Stepan Mazepin, and Zdenek Babicek. Babicek was among the standout performers of the day, securing his victory after gaining 10 positions.
OK: Impressive Drives But No Double Winner
In the OK category, new names also emerged during qualifying. Pole positions went to Ilie Crisan, his first as a Senior, Evan Purcell, competing in his first weekend with Forza Racing, and Michael McGaughy, who claimed his first pole at this level.
The Senior qualifying heats immediately delivered entertainment through several early-lap incidents, although the overall level of racing was tamer than some anticipated. Heat winners on Thursday included William Calleja, Benjamin Manach, Noah Baglin, Jindrich Pesl, James Anagnostiadis, and Ilie Crisan. Despite several attempts, nobody managed to become a double heat winner, unlike Daniel Miron in the Junior category.
Looking at Friday
Thursday’s action is complete, and anticipation is building for the racing to intensify on Friday during the remaining qualifying heats, which are certain to heighten the tension in Mulsen.
New names have already risen through the ranks in qualifying, but how will they fare when the racing resumes? Only time, and laps, will tell.
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