Diego Berardone Crowned T4 Mini Champion as Nations Cup Opportunity Awaits

Johannesburg’s Diego Berardone has enjoyed a standout season in Tillotson T4 competition, with the young driver being crowned the 2026 MSA Northern Regions Tillotson T4 Mini Champion earlier this year.

It was a campaign built on consistency, race-winning pace and composure under pressure. Across the season, Diego claimed eight victories and added a further 12 podium finishes, underlining his position as one of the leading drivers in the class.

His championship success came despite missing one regional round while competing internationally at the T4 Asia Cup in the Philippines. That trip would prove to be a major milestone in his young career, as Diego returned home with the trophy and, more importantly, the coveted ticket to the 2026 T4 Nations Cup.

Having competed in Tillotson T4 competition for several seasons, Diego has steadily developed his race craft in one of karting’s most competitive and accessible formats. In 2026, he also took another important step in his career by moving into the regional and national ROK Cup South Africa Karting Championship, competing in the highly competitive Mini ROK class.

That progression has given him valuable experience across different karting platforms, while his success in the T4 ranks has now opened the door to further international opportunities.

While Tillotson T4 does not currently have a national championship in South Africa, the regional championships serve as the benchmark for selecting the country's representatives at international events. As the Northern Regions Champion, Diego is therefore recognised as one of South Africa’s leading T4 competitors and will represent the nation at the T4 Nations Cup.

The upcoming event will not be Diego’s first appearance on the world stage. He has previously competed at the T4 Nations Cup, gaining valuable international experience against some of the strongest Tillotson T4 drivers from around the globe. That experience is expected to serve him well as he prepares for another opportunity to compete against the world's best.

Diego will travel to Spain for the T4 Nations Cup, which takes place from 30 September to 4 October 2026 at the International Kartodromo Lucas Guerrero in Valencia. The event is expected to attract more than 100 drivers from around the world, all competing for individual honours while also representing their respective nations.

Created by Tillotson, the T4 Nations Cup is regarded as one of the premier global four-stroke karting events. As a mono-brand competition, all drivers compete with identical equipment, placing the emphasis firmly on driver skill, race craft and execution rather than budget.

In addition to chasing individual championship titles, drivers also score points for their home countries, with the ultimate goal of helping secure the prestigious Nations Cup trophy.

For Diego, the opportunity to compete in Spain marks the next major chapter in what has already been a memorable 2026 season. With a Northern Regions title, an Asia Cup victory and a Nations Cup ticket already secured, he heads to Valencia ready to represent South Africa on the world stage once again.