The pilot Navarrese of kartingof 15 years, Raúl Zunzarren Pérezfinished last month first season in the Senior categorycompeting in the prestigious team Monlau Karting.
Despite competing with major rivals who have accumulated more kilometers, season it turned out positive for him young Navarrese pilot. And that’s it in his first time in Senior category, Zunzarren closed with a notable Top 10. In addition, he achieved two podiums, a victory and a pole in the four events of Campillos (Málaga), Zuera (Zaragoza), Motorland (Teruel) and Chiva (Valencia).
She also deserves more credit when she has to balance the competitions with the study of 4th ESOinside Irabia-Izaga School. “I sometimes have to skip classes and then catch up on everything, it’s difficult. It’s not easy to combine studies and career. But it’s one more point that I have to give for what I want,” says- he proudly.
The hobby for go karting comes from family. “My grandfather and my father always really liked the world of automobiles. And at the age of 2, they bought me my first kart,” he says.
At the age of 6, he began competing karting championships throughout Spain. Nearly a decade later, Raúl Zunzarren is still passionate about motorsport. “I like the adrenaline that you feel inside the car, but I also really like the environment, the people who make up the world of motorsport and the relationships between everyone,” explains- he.
Raúl Zunzarren was Spanish Karting Champion in the junior category in 2021. The following year it was third in the European championship. and in the year 2023a break in the chain prevented him from fighting for high positions in the World. “When something doesn’t go well and it’s not your mistake, that’s the most frustrating thing. But you can’t dwell on it for long,” he says.
The success of the pilot was such that he was present at Forbes 30 Under 30 Festival, the largest event of young talents during which the most influential young people in Spain under 30. Among those elected were personalities like the wrestler Ilia Topuria, the singer Quevedo and the Real Madrid footballer Brahim Díaz.
Inside festival, Raúl Zunzarren presented his new kart with Mikel Urmeneta from Navarrein charge of sound design. The two work together in order to research sponsorship and take the pilot to Formula 1.
After his first season in the Senior Karting category, Raul Zunzarren He is clear about his objectives. “I want to focus on carsleave him karting and start competing passenger cars“, he explains.
His biggest dream is to end up competing in the Formula 1. But as the transition to minor categories of Formula is economically very complicated, the pilot seeks to continue raising his name in the touring car racing.
In the meantime, he benefits from the maximum support of his family. His father, Richard Zunzarrenis responsible for searching sponsors to be able to cover his expenses, and always travels with his son to races.
But his mother and sister are the ones who suffer the most. “My wife can’t even watch the races. When she travels with us, she stays somewhere else and puts on her headphones so she can’t hear the noise of the engines,” says the father with a laugh.
Raul Zunzarren It has a very close reference. It is about Michael Azcona. The motor racing driver specializing in passenger cars was the first Spaniard to be World Touring Car Champion. “He has always helped me throughout my career and I admire him a lot,” he says. Zunzarren.
