Race track: Salzburgring, Austria, 4.241 m

Date: 29-31.05.2026

Championship: TCR Eastern Europe, 2nd Round

In the second round of the TCR Easter Europe Championship participated only 5 racers from 3 clubs: Kadlecik and Adamek from Aditis Racing (CZ) (Audi RS3 LMS TCR 2021) , Kout and Zbozinek from Janik Motorsport (CZ) (Hyundai Elantra N TCR) and Žarko Knego from AK Dubrovnik Racing from Croatia (Hyundai Elantra N TCR).

On the first round this season, on the race track Grobnik (16-17.05.2026) Knego finished on fourth and second place in the first end second race respectively.

In tight and difficult to overtake racing circuit of Salzburgring in the qualifications first was Kout from Janik Motorsport, second was Kadlecik from Aditis (+0.332 s) and third was Žarko Knego from AK Dubrovnik Racing (+0.629 s).

In the Race 1 the winner was Kout, second Kadlecik and third Zbozinek. Knego has not finished, because of the puncture of the tyre, quite a pitty, because he was on the third place.

But in the second an third race, Knego was in fighting mode and managed to finish second and third, respectively. In the third race it was thrilling battle with the fourth, Zbozinek, who was trying to overtake him and was making big pressure for almost all the race, but Knego was gaining the momentum on straights and was excellent in positioning the car before potential overtaking places, so he was able to keep the third place and finish on podium! You can see part of this fight in our photos and videos.

After this weekend, Žarko Knego is fourth in the general standings, with 64 points, on the first place is Kadlecik with 107 points.

The next, third race, is on Autodrom Most, from 31.07.-02.08.2026.

All photos and videos Adria Racing

Maximilian Preradovic is a young karting driver from Stuttgart region, who was driving before in different lower categories in Germany, but in this year he is taking full participation in the top german karting championship DKM in the class KZ2. He is driving for Solgat Motorsport team, Birel Art official racing team in Germany. His enthusiasm and dedication are the reason we organised this interview.

AR: How do you prepare your kart for practice and racing?

MP: Before every race I go around the kart to check if everything is in order, if something needs to be done, I change the part. When we get to the track and the mechanic inspects the whole kart. In general, my mechanic is taking care for the complete preparation and set-up.

What do you like most about racing?

The most I like fighting with others for places.

What is the most challenging thing for you during the race? How do you attack corners, how do you prepare for overtaking?

I try to brake before the corners as soon as possible to be fast and to get a clear exit for the rest of the way. It is important to drive close behind other drivers to protect yourself from the wind and then maybe wait for the one in front to make a mistake, it is more important not to make mistakes yourself and pass safely in curves.

Is there a lot of pushing, are the other drivers aggressive? Does that bother you, or do you adapt to that driving style?

Of course the other drivers are aggressive, we all drive to finish as well as possible, from the beginning I felt a little too much pushing, but with more experience it becomes normal and I don’t let it bother me.

What is your driving style?

I’ve always wanted to drive fair and clean, in curves I try to drive as clean as possible, and in overtaking I have enough aggressiveness to pass.

How do you prepare a strategy for a race?

The strategy for every race is of course to move up in the standings. My mechanic and I work out a strategy before every race, sometimes it’s better to finish your race in the same place and go for a safe qualification for the final.

Is speed important to you or do you drive constantly to gain experience and get a good feel for karting and see how the competitors drive and what tricks they use?

Both things are important to me, in the first race this year I showed that I have the same speed as the top 10, but it is also important to drive consistently, when you drive consistently you can see in which turn and which curve there were mistakes, besides that, the constant driving is the fastest.

In training, I have the opportunity to drive behind stronger and faster drivers, so I can see where they brake or how they enter a curve, besides that, we can analyze our data in the team and compare between us drivers, and you can also see who is driving how.

In which team do you drive? How does the team support you for training and racing? Who helps you during preparation – do you have a couch, manager, mechanic? What advice does he give you?

I’ve been driving since the beginning of my career under the Solgat Motorsport BirelArt team, they support me with everything possible, for example I can ask everyone in the team for help, everyone will explain and teach me, especially my mechanic and team chef. In addition, when we are not able to bring our kart, my team brings everything to me at the race. My mechanic helps me a lot at the races, for example, he watches my driving and explains to me where I make mistakes and how to do better, in addition, my mechanic supports me a lot mentally and gives me confidence. The kart is also not to be forgotten. My mechanic looks after every drive to improve my kart.

The first race in the DKM championship has ended. What were your expectations before the race and how did you feel after the race? What did you do well and what do you need to improve for the next races? How do you plan to improve? Do you have opportunities to train between races?

Unfortunately, the first DKM race did not go as we expected, we expected to enter the final and to finish in a good place, unfortunately the qualifying heats did not go very well, my mistakes and a few actions of other drivers did not allow me to enter the final. The positive thing after the first race is definitely my speed, I showed that I drive a good time, which guarantees a good place. I will have to improve my driving among the other 35 drivers, to make as few mistakes as possible. Of course I was not satisfied and happy with the result, but one race does not decide the whole championship, that’s why I quickly forgot all the negatives again and prepared to correct those mistakes, it’s important to look ahead to other races and do better what was not good in the previous race. Since the next race is in the Czech Republic, it is not easy to prepare for that race, you go with the team one weekend before the race for training, although sometimes it is not possible to go to every training, especially when it is abroad.

How do you rate this championship compared to the previous ones where you drove – what are the competitors like, karts, is it a much higher and more difficult level or according to your expectations?

This championship is definitely the strongest and hardest of all so far. Before this championship I still drove in the junior category, so right after the first season I entered the KZ2 class, I don’t yet have the experience of the drivers I’m driving against. The competitors are much better but also more mature because we are in the strongest German category, since the karts are much faster than the junior ones, they are also physically harder, that’s why I go to the gym every other day to be ready to drive. Before this championship, I did not expect to drive against drivers from any league, I knew what was waiting for me, the best German drivers drive in this championship. Last year I drove one race in that league as a guest, so I experienced the quality of the other drivers.

Who is your driving role model?

My role model is Max Verstappen because he is extremely strong in his head, which greatly affects his driving. I like his driving style. It is very important for us drivers to be mentally strong, and Max has already shown this many times in his career in difficult situations

What are your plans for the future?

My plans are now primarily to improve in karting, achieve good results in the future and get as far as possible, and then see what fate has in store for me.

Adria Racing is wishing you all the best in your future racing career!

All photos by Maximilian Preradovic

He began his journey at the age of 13 in simracing. In 2024, he won Formula Star competition, which earned him a full season in Twingo Cup. At the beginning of 2025, at the age of 17, he won the Formula 4 CEZ Academy, which gave him an opportunity to debut in Formula 4 CEZ later that year on Slovakiaring and earned him a scholarship for season 2026.

We bring you this exclusive interview from the perspective and promising macedonian racing star!

AR: How old are you and where were you born?

ST: I am Stefan Treneski, I am 18 years old and I was born in Skopje, Macedonia

Since when have you been involved in motorsports?

I have been actively involved in motorsports for several years, and I started professionally through SIM Racing before moving on to real racing.

How did you start, with SIM Racing? How many years have you been doing SIM Racing?

Yes, my journey started with Sim Racing. I did it for a few years and through the simulators I learned a lot about racing lines, driving technique and data analysis

What successes have you achieved with SIM Racing?

I have performed at a high level in Sim Racing and have had the opportunity to drive for teams like Brabham Esports. I have achieved good results in international championships and this has helped me to stand out as a driver.

How did you get involved in F4 CEZ? Can you describe the path, how that transition went, what you went through and what you drove?

I got involved in F4 CEZ through winning the F4 CEZ Academy and Formula Star programs. The transition was not easy — I went from a simulator to a real car, worked on physical preparation, adaptation to real tracks and testing. Before F4, I also drove the Twingo Cup, which helped me gradually gain experience in real races

What was it like when you first sat in a car instead of a simulator?

The feeling when I sat in a real car for the first time was incredible. You can learn a lot in a simulator, but when you feel the real speed, vibrations and G-forces, you realize how different real motorsport is.

What is the difference between a simulator and a real car?

The biggest difference is the physical aspect. In a simulator there are no real G-forces, no cockpit temperature, no vibrations and no risk. In a real car you have to be much more physically and mentally prepared

What was the hardest thing for you to get used to in the car?

The hardest thing for me was getting used to the G-acceleration and braking. The body has to adapt, especially the neck and concentration in long sessions

Is there a difference in driving technique between a simulator and a car?

Yes, there is a difference in driving technique. In a simulator you can be more aggressive because there are no real consequences, while in a car you have to feel the tires, the weight and the balance of the car much better.

How do you set up the set-up in the simulator and how do you set it up in the car?

In the simulator, I usually do the set-up myself by analyzing telemetry and driving feel. In the car, I work together with the engineers and mechanics, because every small change greatly affects the behavior of the car.

What is your driving style – do you prefer understeer or oversteer?

My driving style is more oriented towards a slightly oversteer car, because it allows me to rotate better in corners and make more aggressive entry.

Do you mind the G-acceleration on the real track in the curve because it doesn’t really exist in the simulation?

At first the G-acceleration was a big difference, but over time your body gets used to it. It’s something you can’t fully feel in a simulator

How did the collaboration with Brabham Esports come about? How do you train with them, what did you learn most from these sessions?

The collaboration with Brabham Esports came about through my results in SIM Racing. With them I worked on a professional approach, driving analysis, discipline and preparation for competitions. I learned the most about the importance of consistency and detailed analysis of each lap. And through them I came into contact with David Brabham who is currently my mentor and I am part of the Brabham driver development program.

In what areas have you made the most progress since you first sat in an F4 car to the first race of the season?

I have made the most progress in adapting to a real car, managing the tyres and being consistent in the race. I have also made a lot of progress physically and mentally

How do you manage to organize all your commitments, do you have enough sponsors?

The organization is difficult because I also have school obligations, training and travel. Sponsors are very important in motor sports and I always work on providing additional support for career advancement.

Can you describe the first race of the season? You started 19th and finished 10th, 4 seconds behind. How do you comment on the race?

The first race of the season was very important for me. I started 19th and finished 10th, just a few seconds behind. We had the speed to be in the top 5 but unfortunately we had very little practice before qualifying.

What do you plan to improve to progress towards the top of the table?

To progress towards the top of the table, I am mainly working on qualifying pace, consistency and a better understanding of the tyres and set-up.

What differences do you notice compared to others before you?

The differences with the drivers before me are mostly in experience and because they drive more championships and a lot of testing before and after each race

How do you prepare the car? Who does the set-up for you?

We prepare the car together with the engineers and the team. I give feedback from the drive, and then we work on the set-up to find the best balance

Do you have any special rituals before the race?

My ritual is listening to music because it relaxes me.

What are your plans for the future? My plans for the future are to continue to progress in international motor sport, to fight for titles and one day reach F1 or top GT or touring car championships like DTM.

Adria Racing: Good luck Stefan in your racing career!

All photos by Stefan Treneski