Ignite GP opens new era with two wins at Al Ain Invitational

Ignite GP, the UAE junior karting team formerly known as Synergy UAE, delivered two victories and four podiums in its first weekend under the new name at the Rotax UAE Al Ain Invitational. The results gave an immediate boost to the team’s broader push to build a full driver-development pathway in the UAE.

Why it matters: - Ignite GP’s debut weekend under its new name produced podiums in every category it entered. - The results strengthen the team’s claim that it can develop drivers from first karting laps through international competition. - The performance also adds momentum to the UAE’s push to become a stronger junior motorsport hub.

What happened: - Ignite GP, formerly Synergy UAE, raced at the Rotax UAE Al Ain Invitational at Al Ain Raceway on Sunday 27 September. - Albi Jay Stubbs won Mini Max. - Jenson Kelly won Micro Max. - August Southall finished second in Bambino. - Alexander Freienstein finished third in E10 Electric. - The team finished on the podium in all four categories it entered.

The details: - Ignite GP said the Al Ain results came in its first race weekend under the new name after a rebrand earlier this month. - The team previously built its reputation in UAE junior karting as Synergy UAE. - Synergy UAE won the 2025/26 IAME UAE Bambino Championship with Mark Ristic. - Ignite GP is expanding from junior karting into a broader driver-development programme. - The programme is designed to support young racers from first karting experience through academy coaching, championship racing and international competition. - Team Principal Forbes Nicol said the opening weekend showed the team’s next chapter can deliver across multiple categories. - Nicol said the team wants to become a complete driver-development programme with coaching, technology, racing and international pathways. - Lead Mechanic Lui Dailo said the team kept refining carburation, tyre pressures and chassis balance as track grip changed through the weekend. - Dailo said the final setups were in place for the finals and the drivers delivered the results.

Between the lines: - The results matter because junior karting success often depends on more than driver speed. - Ignite GP is signaling that its structure, not just its race pace, is part of the product. - The team’s focus on telemetry, onboard video and structured coaching suggests a data-driven development model. - The UAE also has several natural advantages for that model, including year-round racing, established karting championships, world-class circuits, Formula 4 competition and the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. - Ignite GP is positioning the UAE as both a domestic development base and a winter training destination for drivers from the UK, Europe, the GCC and Asia.

What’s next: - Ignite GP plans to keep building a pathway from Bambino, Micro, Mini, Junior and Senior karting toward single-seater racing. - The team continues to support drivers at Dubai Kartdrome, Al Forsan and Yas Marina. - Ignite GP also offers first-drive sessions and academy coaching for children from age five. - The broader goal is to help drivers start, develop and progress in the UAE while drawing international talent into the country.

The bottom line: - Ignite GP’s first weekend as Ignite GP looked like a statement of intent: winning pace on track and a bigger plan off it.

Results — Rotax UAE Al Ain Invitational - Al Ain Raceway — 27 September 2026 - Mini Max — 1st: Albi Jay Stubbs - Micro Max — 1st: Jenson Kelly - Bambino — 2nd: August Southall - E10 Electric — 3rd: Alexander Freienstein - More information