Young Turkish driver Kerem Kazaz secures podium finish in world rally series

Kerem Kazaz secured a significant achievement at the World Rally Championship in Croatia.

The 20-year-old driver reached the WRC3 podium during the race held between April 9 and 12.

Kazaz and co-pilot Corentin Silvestre claimed third place in their category and a notable fifth-place finish in the Junior standings.

This result marks the first podium finish for the Team Petrol Ofisi pilot this season.

Kazaz and Silvestre's car navigates sharp mountain turns during final stages, Zagreb, Croatia, April 13, 2026. (Photo via Instagram / @keremkazaz_)

The driver utilized a cautious tempo to navigate difficult stages and successfully avoided mistakes throughout the four-day event.

More about Kerem Kazaz:

• Finish rate: Kazaz maintains a record of seven starts and seven finishes.
• Domestic status: He remains the youngest rally champion in the history of Türkiye.
• Sponsorship backing: The athlete competes as the only Red Bull representative in his field.
• Championship points: Kazaz holds two consecutive Turkish championship titles and continues to gain international rank.

International competition resumes next month for the young driver.

The next stage of the World Junior Rally Championship takes place in Portugal. Kazaz will participate in the event between May 7 and May 10.

He plans to continue his consistent performance on the global circuit after he successfully converted domestic dominance into a trophy on the world stage during the Croatian leg.

April 14, 2026 02:44 PM GMT+03:00