Filipino karting sensation Axel Nocom claimed a decisive victory in the OK-N Junior Final at the Champions of the Future Academy Program UAE opening round, held at the Al Forsan International Sports Resort in Abu Dhabi from November 7 to 9, 2025.
The 13-year-old standout not only took pole position, won the heat, and clinched the final, but also set a new track record—solidifying his place as a front-runner in the region’s top junior karting series.
The race was run in an “arrive-and-drive” format using standardized CIK-FIA-approved equipment to ensure a level playing field across all participants aged 12 to 14. In a competition designed to highlight pure driving skill, Axel’s performance stood out as the only one in which the Philippine national anthem played during the award ceremony—a rare moment in international karting.
Organizers described Axel’s drive as “masterful from lights to flag,” underscoring his control and confidence throughout the race. His win adds to an already historic season that includes a podium in Japan’s Autobacs GPR, a dominant win at the Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship in Sri Lanka, and strong showings in Italy’s COTFA series and Spain’s FIA Motorsport Games.
The UAE leg of the Champions of the Future series is part of a broader initiative to develop young racing talent across the Middle East, attracting rising stars from across the region—and Axel continues to prove he belongs among the elite.
