Eight-year-old South African karting driver Giuliana Saladino has made motorsport history after becoming the first female driver on the African continent to drive a Rotax E10 electric racing kart ahead of the launch of the new Rotax E10 Challenge at Zwartkops Raceway on 5 July 2026.
The achievement marks a significant milestone not only for Giuliana's rapidly growing racing career but also for the future of youth motorsport in South Africa, as electric karting begins to create new opportunities for young drivers entering the sport.
The Rotax E10 Challenge, which launches on 5 July following the Rotax African Open, introduces a new generation of electric kart racing aimed at creating accessible, development-focused and equalised competition opportunities for young racers. The series will include three qualifying events taking place on 5 July, 8 August and 30 August 2026 at Zwartkops Raceway.
For Giuliana, being selected to drive the electric kart ahead of the series launch was both exciting and memorable.
"I was definitely nervous at first because it was something completely new, but I was also really excited," said Giuliana. "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."
The introduction of electric karting represents a new chapter for grassroots motorsport globally. In addition to supporting driver development, the quieter nature of electric karts has the potential to make the sport more accessible to a wider range of participants, including young people who may find traditional motorsport environments overwhelming.
Giuliana currently competes in Rotax South Africa's highly competitive Micro Max class and is widely regarded as one of the country's most promising young karting talents.
As she continues to balance school, training and national competition, Giuliana is helping to inspire a new generation of young girls entering motorsport while establishing herself as one of South Africa's rising stars on the karting circuit.