Race Report October 11, 2026

JohnJohn McLellan Claims Historic FIA Karting World Cup Podium in OK-N Junior Final

VITERBO, ITALY — October 11, 2026 — John “JohnJohn” McLellan claimed a historic third-place finish at the 2026 FIA Karting World Cup in Viterbo, Italy, earning an official podium result in the OK-N Junior Final on October 8–11 with Ward Racing. The result is the most significant achievement of the 13-year-old California driver’s international career to date.

JohnJohn McLellan — Ward Racing kart #252 at the 2026 FIA Karting World Cup, Viterbo

Competing on the Leopard Circuit against one of the deepest junior grids of the season, McLellan qualified 54th overall before progressively building speed through the qualifying heats. He recorded fastest lap in two of his three qualifying heats — Heat 2 (P3) and Heat 3 — as he worked his way into Super Heat contention.

Super Heat: Seven Positions Gained, Super Heat Runner-Up

The Super Heat set the grid for the Final and produced one of McLellan’s standout drives of the season. Starting P9, he gained seven positions to challenge for the Pool 2 Super Heat lead, setting the fastest lap of the Pre-Final in the process. Only half a second separated McLellan and Luigi D’Ascoli at the line as he crossed in P2.

Per the FIA’s official report: “Luigi D’Ascoli faced the threat of a surging John McLellan who gained seven positions to challenge for the super heat win.”

The Final: From P6 to Official Podium

McLellan started the OK-N Junior Final from P6 and immediately began pushing forward, working his way into the podium fight to claim an official P3 finish.

The Final was won by Niccolò Perico (KR, Italy), the AMG Mercedes Formula 1 junior driver who led every session of the weekend for a perfect score. D’Ascoli (Modena, Italy) took second.