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Eight-year-old makes electric karting history

Adnaan MohamedFeaturesLeave a Comment on Eight-year-old makes electric karting history
By Adnaan Mohamed

At eight years old, Giuliana Saladino has already achieved something no other female racing driver on the African continent can claim.

The South African youngster became the first female driver in Africa to get behind the wheel of the Rotax E10 electric racing kart during its local debut at Zwartkops Raceway on 5 July, marking another milestone for a rising talent already turning heads in junior motorsport.

Her achievement coincided with the launch of the Rotax E10 Challenge in South Africa, introducing young drivers to the next generation of electric kart racing while opening new doors for grassroots motorsport.

“I was definitely nervous at first because it was something completely new, but I was also really excited,” Giuliana said.

“I love racing and I love learning new things. Being the first girl in Africa to drive the E10 kart is something very special and I’m proud to be part of something that could help grow motorsport for other young drivers too.”

While the E10 may not produce the familiar roar of traditional karts, it speaks volumes about where the sport is heading. Electric karting promises cleaner technology, lower noise levels and greater accessibility, placing the future of racing firmly in the hands of today’s youngsters.

Giuliana Saladino in action in a Rotax E10 Go-Kart Photo: Supplied

Rotax South Africa believes Giuliana’s historic drive is only the opening lap.

“We are incredibly proud to see Giuliana become the first female driver in Africa to drive the Rotax Electric Kart. This is more than a milestone for one driver. It represents the future of our sport,” said Jennifer Verheul of Rotax South Africa.

“The Rotax E10 Electric Kart is about creating opportunities for young talent to experience the latest technology while making karting more accessible and sustainable. We want to inspire the next generation of racers, regardless of gender or background, by giving them a platform to develop their skills in a modern, exciting racing environment.

“Seeing Giuliana lead the way is a powerful reminder that motorsport is for everyone, and we hope her achievement encourages many more young girls across South Africa to get involved in karting. This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Rotax racing in Africa.”

Giuliana has already assembled an impressive racing résumé. She claimed back-to-back Prokart SSS Championship titles in 2024 and 2025 before finishing runner-up in the Tillotson Cadets category at the 2024 Rok Cup South Africa Nationals.

Competing in the fiercely contested Micro Max class while balancing school and racing, she continues to develop with the backing of her family and sponsors including Supa Quick, Liqui Moly, Sparco and Gedore Tools.

The Rotax E10 Challenge continues with qualifying rounds at Zwartkops Raceway on 8 and 30 August. For Giuliana, history is already in the rear-view mirror. The next finish line is waiting.

Radhi Harris: SA’s Great Hope on the F1 Grid

Adnaan MohamedFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Radhi Harris: SA’s Great Hope on the F1 Grid
By Adnaan Mohamed

The hum of engines may soon echo louder across South Africa, with the nation edging closer to a Formula 1 Grand Prix return in 2027. As preparations gather speed, eyes are turning not only to circuits like Kyalami and Cape Town’s proposed street track, but also to the next generation of drivers who might one day carry Africa’s colours onto the world stage. At the centre of this conversation is Radhi Harris, an eight-year-old karting prodigy from Crawford on the Cape Flats. To Wesleigh Orr, four-time world karting champion and founder of Worr Motorsport, Harris is not merely a promising youngster, he is a potential game-changer.

“That’s the game-changer in the generation now. In the next three or four years there will be a Grand Prix here in Africa. So, that’s gonna put a lot of focus on the F1 teams and everyone involved in motorsport to find the talent out of Africa,” says Orr.

“Radhi could be the next Lewis Hamilton.  However, we need a driver from Africa on the F1 circuit. So, there is going to be huge interest… There will be scouts in the next three or four years looking for natural talent. And we just think Radhi is gonna be that guy.”

A Star in the Making

Harris first caught international attention when, on his overseas debut, he stormed to victory in Spain’s Tillotson Bambino class. That triumph was no fluke. Since then, he has strung together a series of titles that have made him one of South Africa’s most consistent young drivers.

“I think Rahdi Harris is one of the few young drivers that we’ve had in the country that is consistent across the board in terms of results,” Orr explains.

“When drivers don’t have the advantage of the bigger teams and they are still running in front, then I think the ability is there. I think Radhi’s charisma and the way he conducts himself is also a big part of why he is so good.”

In 2023, Harris finished runner-up in his very first competitive race, a performance that earned him kart number 23. The following year, he captured the Western Province Regional Championship, then the South African National Bambino Championship, before claiming the T4 Nations Cup World Championship in Valencia. He now races in the faster, more technical Micro MAX class, and still holds the lap record at Cape Town’s iconic Killarney track.

Racing in the Blood

Racing prodigy Radhi Harris in his element of the track Photo: Supplied

Motorsport is woven into the Harris family’s story. His grandfather, Zarier Harris, carved out a reputation as a street racer in his Toyota TRD during the 1980s and 1990s, while his father, Raaziegh, continued the tradition in the GTI Challenge at Killarney.

“Radhi was head-hunted by Wesleigh,” recalls Raaziegh.

“In his first race he ever did he finished second in 2023. And that is how he got his kart number 23… He then went on to win the T4 Nations Cup World Championship. He is now currently racing Micro MAX which is a step-up from the Bambino Class.”

For the Harris family, Rahdi’s rise feels like destiny, the next chapter in a lineage of speed.

Building a Path to F1

With Rahdi now signed to Worr Motorsport, his journey is backed by one of South Africa’s most ambitious karting outfits. Orr leads the international charge, while Hugh Orr oversees operations in the Western Cape and Neo Phasha trains up-and-coming talent at the academy. Together, they have built a structure designed to take African drivers from karting circuits to the world’s biggest stage.

Radhi Harris Photo: Instagram

“Signing a talent like Rahdi inspires our South African-based team to strive even harder to help our drivers achieve their dreams in motorsport,” says Orr.

“Our focus is on empowering African drivers with the skills, discipline, and support needed to compete on the global stage. We have one ambitious goal and that is to produce an African Formula 1 driver.

“Through rigorous training, top-tier equipment, and a passion for excellence, we hope to pave the way for African drivers to leave their mark in the world of motorsport.”

As South Africa positions itself for a long-awaited Formula 1 revival, Radhi Harris stands poised as a symbol of what that return could mean. He is not only navigating corners on karting tracks but also steering into a future where Africa claims its place on the F1 grid.

At just eight years old, Harris already drives like a racer with the road ahead mapped out. If the stars align, and the circuits are built, he could be the homegrown engine that powers South Africa into Formula 1 history.