From September 12 to 14, 2025, the Circuit Paul Ricard will host a unique event: a karting race lasting 42 hours, 19 minutes, and 50 seconds. The Jules Bianchi Karting Marathon, conceived by Bianchi Lagorce Events, will bring together professionals, amateurs, personalities, and enthusiasts around an extraordinary challenge and a tribute to the memory of the Nice-born driver.
In the history of the Olympic Games, the marathon was the crowning event. Transposed to the world of karting, the concept takes on an unprecedented form: not a distance to cover, but a duration to endure. The Jules Bianchi Karting Marathon challenges teams to stay on track for over 42 hours. The format demands strategy, endurance, and cohesion.
Created by Philippe Bianchi in the early 2000s, the event has already brought together several generations of promising drivers. Jules and Tom Bianchi raced alongside Charles and Arthur Leclerc and Norman Nato. The competition has left its mark with its atmosphere blending sporting intensity and conviviality.
The 10th edition will take place in 2025 at the Circuit Paul Ricard, a symbolic venue for French motorsport. Thirty-five karts with 270 cc engines will line up at the start. The machines can reach speeds of up to 90 km/h and change hands at each handover, ensuring a smooth rotation of drivers. Teams, composed of five to twenty people, will need to manage fatigue, mandatory handovers, and pit stops.
Two categories will balance out the levels. The first requires a minimum weight of 270 kg (kart and driver included), the second 245 kg. Teams will be classified as “Pro” or “Corporate” based on the number of licensed drivers. This system allows both amateurs and professionals to compete in the same race while ensuring some level of fairness.
The event will follow a precise schedule. After administrative checks, free practice, and qualifying on Friday, the start will be given at 19:41. The karts will race continuously for two days, with the finish scheduled for Sunday at 2 PM.
A tribute and a commitment to solidarity
Beyond the sporting challenge, the event carries the memory of Jules Bianchi. Deceased in 2015 following an accident in Formula 1 at the Japanese Grand Prix, the Nice-born driver left a deep impression on those around him with his passion and ability to unite people. His name remains associated with the spirit of overcoming challenges and solidarity.
Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Jules Bianchi Association. Created by his family, it supports research on severe brain injuries, purchases medical equipment for l’Archet Hospital in Nice, and assists families facing such conditions. A check of 50,000 euros will be presented to the association during the race. An onsite shop will also offer items featuring the driver’s likeness, with proceeds going toward his initiatives. This race will be organized in the same spirit of camaraderie, respect, positivity, and competition that characterized Jules Bianchi.
The event extends beyond the track. In the paddock, competitors will have access to a reception area, a 24-hour catering zone, and equipped tents for teams. The goal is to create a true sports village where drivers, mechanics, and supporters share a daily routine shaped by competition.
In terms of media, the race will be broadcast live on the Bianchi Lagorce Events YouTube channel. Spectators can follow the handovers, interviews, and behind-the-scenes actions thanks to an enhanced setup. Lionel Chamoulaud, a former France Télévisions journalist, will commentate on the event alongside Marie Caizz, an actress and host who was present at the previous edition.
The attendance of professional drivers and personalities is expected, continuing the tradition of past editions that have featured Charles Leclerc, Norman Nato, Dorian Boccolacci, and entertainment and sports figures like Benjamin Biolay, Tomer Sisley, or Richard Virenque.
The event aims to bring together a wide audience: companies, families, friends, or just enthusiasts. Karts can be customized with a company’s colors, enhancing the collective and unifying aspect of the race.
At the end of the 42 hours, a podium will reward the top two teams in each category. But beyond the rankings, it’s the shared experience and the cause championed that give this marathon a special significance.
