Start early … with responsibility
Successful motorsports careers often begin in karting. That’s why the report from the Disciplinary Commission (DK) of Auto Sport Schweiz in the chapter on karting reads so dramatically: “Emily Hunkeler has violated … applicable ASS regulations. … The Puffo training license … is revoked effective immediately. … The license revocation or suspension (until December 31, 2027) … will be filed with the FIA.”
What happened? Emily had participated in a karting competition at the “T4 Tillotson Euro Cup, Bambino Category” event in May 2026 using a Puffo training license that was not permitted for that event. In addition, a kart was used that was significantly more powerful than permitted under the training license. The person responsible for this—her legal guardian, Markus B.—is noted in the decision: The Disciplinary Committee expressly states that “Emily Hunkeler, at the age of five, is not capable of reading and understanding the current regulations.”
Quite apart from the question of whether a five-year-old is mature enough—not only physically but also mentally—for a racing kart—at historic karting events, the minimum age is 15 for safety reasons— who can explain to her that she didn’t do anything wrong, but is no longer allowed to race officially for a whole year? And why is a parent or guardian allowed to send their child onto the track at their own discretion, without anyone checking the license or the kart? The 2,000-franc fine that has now been imposed will likely not stop him from letting the child practice on training tracks until 2028.
When karting was invented in California 70 years ago, only adults drove. It wasn’t until after Michael Schumacher’s career that micro (Puffo) karts were introduced in the 1990s for children, who are allowed to participate in races starting at age eight. Rules are not meant to be a nuisance, but rather lifesavers, as the DK emphasizes in its decision: “The license was revoked to protect the minor. ... Deviating from the technical specifications of the Puffo category posed a high risk to the child.”
It seems someone here didn’t understand that—or chose to ignore it out of misguided ambition. It’s a risk that isn’t borne by him, but by the young driver, who hasn’t yet grasped just how dangerous passion can be. Someone needs to explain this to her as soon as possible—preferably not her legal guardian.
