MOTORSPORT – Bahrain-based karting star Leopold Juch displayed his limitless potential at the third and final round of the 2026 FIA Karting Academy Trophy, which wrapped up earlier this month at Asum Ring in Kristianstad, Sweden.
Competing amongst a field of 41 talented drivers from around the world in the academy’s seniors’ category, Leopold made it into the meeting’s final and was often amongst the leading competitors out on track.
The 15-year-old Swiss national kicked things off with a sensational second place in the first test session of race week.
He stayed in contention in the three practices and then came 11th in the second of two qualifying practices with a best lap time of 52.318 seconds – just 0.523s off the pace.
In the qualifying heats, Leopold was unlucky at the get-go, being handed a disqualification from the first session after his mechanic laid hands on the front spoiler in pre-grid. It proved costly as instead of receiving 25 qualifying points, he walked away with 12 and was last in the heat.
Nonetheless, Leopold stepped up to the challenge in the next two qualifying heats – going 12th on both occasions to score 25 points apiece and secure his spot in the final.
After a solid warm-up session to get the concluding day’s programme underway, Leopold started the final from 34th on the grid amongst 36 competitors.
The race quickly developed into a fierce battle and Leopold worked his way through the field while needing to focus on managing his tyres, which were fading fast mid-way through. A few competitors crashed out and caused various situations that required him to think and react quickly.
At the chequered flag, Leopold had made up an impressive 10 places and was classified a well-deserved 24th overall, crossing the finish line 30.732s behind winner Philip Lapper from Britain after 25 laps.
“I held up well and was able to bring Bahrain a well-noted result and well-deserved appearance in this year’s academy trophy,” Leopold told the GDN.
“Without the disqualification in the first qualifying heat, my race strategy would have been different and I would easily be able to run among the top 10.”
Following his sensational campaign in this year’s FIA Karting Academy Trophy – Leopold had also put in strong drives in the first two rounds held in Valencia, Spain in May and in Mulsen, Germany in June – Leopold is hoping to make another formidable challenge in next season’s series, which is one of the leading championships under the FIA’s Commission Internationale de Karting (CIK-FIA).
“Looking ahead, I would like to come back to the FIA Karting Academy Trophy as I was among the youngest racers in the field and feel that I have a much better chance to bring home a top result for Bahrain,” highlighted Leopold, who is once again aiming to be a top title-contender in the upcoming 2026-27 Bahrain Rotax MAX Challenge (BRMC) at Bahrain International Karting Circuit (BIKC).
“To further improve my racing career, competing in a full grid with 36 racers will vastly improve my driving and enable me to compete at a higher level.
“To do that, I would have to venture out to Europe after this year’s BRMC season. I would need support from people that believe in me and that want to see Bahrain on the international karting stage.”
Leopold expressed his appreciation to the Bahrain International Circuit chief executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Bahrain Motor Federation (BMF) and BMF officials Obay Aldajani and Alaa Frutan, and to the Bahrain Karting Commission and BIKC for supporting his motorsport journey.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))