The Mondokart.com FIA Karting World Championship  – OK and Junior – concluded at the weekend out of Franciacorta, Italy with 234 drivers from 57 nations competing.

Great Britain was represented by Lewis Wherrell in the Junior and Joe Turney in the OK with a shock incident denting the latter drivers hopes of glory.

At the end of the Super Heats, in the OK, Kean Nakamura-Berta (JPN) was leading ahead of Rene’ Lammers, (NED), the 2023 European Champion, then Fionn Mac Laughlin (IRL) and Gabriel Gomez (BRA), the 2022 Champion, in 4th place. Turney was 7^th, ahead of poleman Mark Dubnitski (EST).

The Final saw three drivers leave the track at the first corner, while Lammers dropped back to 9th. Nakamura-Berta led ahead of Mac Laughlin and Turney, who quickly took the lead. Gomez climbed back into the lead and came to threaten Turney.

The Brazilian briefly took first place before tangling with Turney and putting an end to their hopes of victory. When he tried to restart, Turney was hit by another kart and was injured, which led to the race being neutralised and then to a red flag with 14 laps remaining.

The restart took place in single file and Kirill Kutskov maintained his lead over Nakamura-Berta before claiming victory.

But it was heartbreak for Turney when it could have easily been joy. Motorsport UK sends its best wishes to Turney following the incident and wishes him all the best in his recovery.