14-year-old Seira Kojima delivered a standout performance at the inaugural FIA Karting Arrive and Drive World Cup in Malaysia. She was one of only 15 female karters and the lone Filipino in the entire event — yet rose to the challenge with a commanding 4th place finish in the Finals of the Junior category.
The World Cup serves as a major step in the FIA’s push to make karting more accessible. All competitors raced under equal conditions using identical OTK karts with the same engines and tires, with almost no mechanical adjustments allowed beyond a single-step sprocket change. As Seira explained, it became a battle of “skill, adaptation, and mental strength.”
Although she has previously raced at the LYL International Karting Circuit, the World Cup featured a completely new layout designed specifically for the event. Making things even tougher was the fact that everyone only had four 10-minute Free Practice sessions on Friday to learn the circuit. And with nearly the entire 54-strong Junior grid made up of national champions and front-running drivers from around the world, the level of competition was exceptionally high.
“Competing against such a field made this event incredibly challenging — and inspiring,” Seira said.
Despite the circumstances, Seira showed pace immediately by topping the very first practice session before settling within the Top 10. She knew that consistency in the Qualifying Heats would be crucial, as only the top 27 would earn a spot in the Finals. With every lap carrying weight, she used each Heat not just to defend and attack, but to refine her driving and fully understand the circuit.
Heat 1 saw her start from P7, make early progress, and climb to 5th by the chequered flag. In Heat 2, she muscled her way as high as P4 on the opening lap, but was later shuffled back to finish where she started in 7th. Heat 3 placed her in P8 on the grid, and in a race filled with contact and drop-bumper penalties, she kept her run clean to secure another solid 7th place finish. The combined results of her heats placed her 13th overall, securing her place in the all-important Final.
Lining up from the middle of the pack, Seira stayed calm as the lights went out and immediately avoided the opening-lap chaos. She gained four positions on the very first lap to slot into P9, then continued to push forward. With her pace improving, she charged her way to P5 by lap 5, now running with the lead pack and matching the speed of the frontrunners, putting herself in contention for a potential podium. After 17 grueling laps, she eventually crossed the line in P7, but a series of post-race penalties for other drivers promoted her to 4th — just one spot away from the podium and the strongest FIA result of her career.
Seira Kojima: “Racing in the first-ever FIA World Cup felt like stepping into a dream, especially knowing I was up against 54 of the world’s strongest Junior drivers. Representing the Philippines filled me with pride, and finishing 4th in such a competitive grid proved to me that I truly belonged there. I honestly felt a podium was within reach — the pace and momentum were there — but this result only motivates me to come back stronger. It was a world-class event, and I’m leaving with gratitude, pride, and even more determination for myself, my team, and the Philippines.”
Seira Kojima is sponsored by Tokyo Saint Clinic and Tokyo With You Group.
For more info and the latest updates, follow @kojima.seira_frontrow7racing on Instagram.
