Qatar welcomes the 2025 MENA Karting Championship Nations Cup, celebrating the spirit of grassroots motorsport
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has said that this year’s MENA Karting Championship Nations Cup will create fresh opportunities for aspiring drivers across the region, as the much-anticipated event begins this week in Qatar.
Hosted by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), the 2025 edition once again brings the spotlight to the region’s thriving karting scene. Proceedings begin with Thursday’s official opening ceremony, following two days of practice ahead of competitive racing scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the Lusail Karting Circuit.
Young talents from across the MENA region have converged on Qatar for one of the largest regional karting gatherings in the world — a showcase of ambition, skill, and community spirit within motorsport.
Now in its third consecutive year hosted by Qatar, the event features an expanded grid of 173 drivers from 18 countries, including Qatar, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, Iran, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
FIA President Ben Sulayem, who founded the Nations Cup in 2020, said: “With growing numbers of participating countries, this year’s MENA Karting Championship Nations Cup represents the development of motorsport and new opportunities for karting talent across our region.
“My congratulations and thanks to QMMF and President Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai for hosting this milestone event. Good luck to all competitors, volunteers, staff, and officials. Your passion, dedication and teamwork allow this competition to thrive on the global stage.”
Drivers will compete across a range of categories designed to nurture early racing careers, including six Rotax Max Challenge divisions for participants aged eight and above, and R390 Sprint and Endurance classes for those aged 15 and over.
In 2024, Lebanon claimed the Nations Cup title, followed by Morocco in second place and the UAE in third. The 2025 championship promises to deliver another action-packed weekend of competitive racing, celebrating both personal achievement and the collective pride of participating nations.
Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai, President of QMMF and Lusail International Circuit, said: “We are proud to once again host the MENA Karting Championship Nations Cup, providing a platform for young drivers from across the region to develop their skills and passion for motorsport.
“We extend our gratitude to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem for his continued support and vision in promoting motorsport development. This championship is not only in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, but also highlights our ongoing commitment to support the growth of motorsport from the grassroots level, helping the next generation of talent reach their full potential.
“We wish all competitors, teams, and officials every success throughout the championship and thank marshals for their commitment and hard work.”
Spectators are set to enjoy the highly competitive championship in person at the circuit whilst fans across the world will be able to watch all of the racing action LIVE and FREE on the QMMF YouTube channel.
