After a promising test drive in the FIA ​​Karting European Championship - Junior at Angerville, Maxime Furon-Castelain made his debut in the FIA ​​Karting Academy Trophy in Germany at the Wackersdorf circuit. During a competition made difficult by the erratic weather conditions, the young Luxembourger proved his talent once again by moving up from 31st to 13th position on Sunday, 5th May, 2019.

Although Maxime is not the first driver to represent Luxembourg in the FIA ​​Karting Academy Trophy, he is certainly the youngest to wear the colours of the Grand Duchy. At the age of 11, Maxime is also the youngest of the field of 50 drivers from 47 nations around the world who competed on equal terms in Bavaria on identical Exprit / Vortex / B'stone karts.

On Friday, having made his mark during the Free Practice sessions, Maxime pushed in Qualifying in the sun. He achieved the 5th fastest time of his group and took 13th place in the general classification, an inspiring performance against opponents who were generally much more experienced. Encouraged on Saturday by the presence of Henry Schwirtz, head of karting of the Luxembourg federation, the ACL Sport, Maxime started in 7th position for his first Qualifying Heat. Equipped with slick tyres, the karts found themselves in difficulty when rain started on the formation lap. As the accidents multiplied, Maxime kept his cool under the deluge. He went off-track, but controlled his kart so as not to lose too much time and then came back to 6th position when more than half of the drivers had retired. The second heat was still in the rain, but this time with wet tyres. Starting well, Maxime was hit by the driver behind him and hit two competitors in distress on the first lap, leading to retirement.

Maxime was in 31st place after this complicated day during which he had not made a mistake.  He started Sunday with intense focus and the objective of a good place in the Final. His 6th place allowed him to qualify 21st among the 34 finalists. Careful at the start of the Final which was held on a dry track, Maxime avoided the incidents of the first lap and launched to attack his opponents chaining great time. He came back close to the top 10, but was losing ground on the last lap due to not controlling his pursuers enough. Maxime finished in an excellent 13th position, totalling 18 places gained during the day.

"It was a difficult week-end, but very informative," commented Maxime. "I planned to be among the finalists first of all and this goal was largely exceeded despite my retirement from the second heat. I am very happy to have mastered my Exprit / Vortex in this new category where I am still the youngest: I have got used this situation since my debut! Coming back from 31st to 13th place in one day gave me much satisfaction, especially as I learned a lot with my mechanic Ulysse De Pauw. Thanks also to Eric Verdaasdonk for his support and advice throughout the weekend, and ACL Sport and FIA Karting for allowing me to participate in the Academy Trophy."

Maxime will now return to the wheel of his Kosmic / Iame for the second round of the European Junior Championship in a week at Genk, while the second meeting of the Academy Trophy will take place at Sarno from 14th to 16th June.