Polish racing sensation Maciej Gładysz secured a remarkable third-place finish in the overall standings and clinched the rookie championship title during the final round of the Formula Winter Series at the iconic Formula 1 circuit in Barcelona. Representing ORLEN Team and Dutch outfit MP Motorsport, the 15-year-old from Tarnów displayed exceptional talent and resilience throughout the challenging weekend in Barcelona, claiming a fourth-place finish in the first race before staging an impressive comeback to gain 15 positions in the second Sunday race.
Dominating Debut Performance
Competing among a field of over 40 drivers from around the globe, Gładysz showcased his prowess by securing seven podium finishes in total, including six victories out of 11 races in the rookie category. Additionally, he notched three podium finishes in the general classification, securing the third position overall and earning the title of second runner-up.
The Barcelona weekend marked a particularly demanding conclusion to the winter season, with Saturday’s qualifying session and the first of three races canceled due to heavy rain and unsafe track conditions. Despite starting from the back of the grid in the final race following a collision in the morning qualifying session, Gładysz showcased his tenacity by spectacularly surging from 26th to 11th place.
Future Endeavors in Formula 4
Looking ahead, Gładysz is set to make his debut in the prestigious Spanish Formula 4 International Championship on May 12, embarking on seven weekends of racing and 21 thrilling encounters on Europe’s most renowned circuits. The opening round will take place at the Jarama circuit near Madrid.