İskender Zülfikari, born on 8 December 2011, is a Turkish motorsport driver who competes in karting at national and international levels. From an early age, Zülfikari turned to motorsports and, following undefeated championship wins in Türkiye, went on to secure victories in competitions across Europe and the world. Throughout his career, he has represented Türkiye in various WSK series, ROK Cup events, and the FIA Motorsport Games, and has topped the international karting rankings in his age and class category. Despite his young age, he has drawn attention for his high race-winning rate and has shaped his motorsport career with the goal of reaching Formula 1.

^{İskender Zülfikari (AA)}

İskender Zülfikari is the first child of businessman İsfendiyar Zülfikari and lawyer Deniz Zülfikari. His interest in vehicles was discovered by his family when he was just three years old, and he began riding a two-wheeled bicycle at the same age. Although his family encouraged him to participate in team sports such as basketball and football for physical development, he showed no interest in these activities and focused entirely on motorsports. His exceptional balance and passion for motorsports led him to the track at an early age. Despite spending approximately 20 to 25 days of each month abroad due to his intense racing schedule, he has continued his education with successful academic results.

Zülfikari’s motorsport career began in 2019 when, at the age of seven and a half, he started watching cars at Tuzla Karting Park and subsequently entered the sport. His talent was identified in late 2018 by karting coach Bestanbey Yüzbaşıoğulları, who began preparing him for professional racing. In his debut season in 2019, he finished third in the overall classification of the Turkish Karting Championship.

Due to the global pandemic in 2020, racing events were suspended, and this period was primarily spent on domestic and international testing sessions. After the pandemic, in 2021, Zülfikari competed in the Mini category of the Turkish Karting Championship, winning all 30 races across 10 rounds to become the undefeated national champion. He set a nearly unbeatable record in this series by securing 10 pole positions and consecutive victories across 30 races.

^{IAME Italy Series Champion 2022 (AA)}

Following his undefeated national championship, Zülfikari shifted his focus entirely to European circuits. In 2021, he gained experience in events such as the WSK Euro Series and the South Garda Winter Cup. In the 2022 season, he won the championship in the X30 Mini category of the eight-race International IAME Italy Series, becoming the first Turkish driver to win this series. That same year, he also claimed titles in the WSK Final Cup and WSK Open Cup in the 60 Mini category. Additionally, he closed the season by winning the 27th Trofeo Ayrton Senna race in the Mini GR3 category.

^{Champion of the WSK Champions Cup 2023 (AA)}

The 2023 season marked one of the most significant periods of acceleration in the driver’s international career. That year, he won championships in the WSK Super Master Series, WSK Champions Cup, and the 27th South Garda Winter Cup, all in the 60 Mini category. In October 2023, at the ROK Cup Superfinal race held in Lonato, Italy, he finished first among 109 competitors to become world champion.

As a result of these achievements, he topped the International Karting Ranking published by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), securing 5218 points among 915 drivers in the 60 Mini category.

In 2024, Zülfikari moved up to the OK-Junior category and competed in the Karting Sprint Junior category at the 2024 FIA Motorsport Games held in Valencia, Spain, representing Team Türkiye. On this track for the first time, he secured pole position among 35 drivers in the qualifying sessions and finished second in the final race, earning Türkiye a silver medal.

Later that year, he competed in the OK-Junior category at the WSK Final Cup in Lonato, Italy. He advanced from third place in the semi-final to second place, and then finished third in the final race after starting from fourth, securing a podium finish. Additionally, he participated in the 2024 FIA Karting World Championship at the PF International Karting Circuit in England. In challenging and torrential rain conditions, he started the final race from 28th position and finished tenth after a strong series of overtakes.

^{WSK Euro Series Champion 2025 (}TOSFED⁾

In the 2025 season, at the age of 13, Zülfikari won the second leg of the two-round WSK Euro Series held in Cremona, Italy. He completed the series as champion in the OK Junior category, out of 44 drivers from 26 countries. He finished qualifying sessions in first place and won both the semi-final and final races, leading to the playing of the Turkish National Anthem on the podium.

İskender Zülfikari has distinguished himself on track through his aggressive driving style, courage, and attacking approach. Recognized by racing experts as “the Turkish driver who dominates the series,” he is described as having “eyes in the back of his head” due to his uncanny ability to sense rivals’ positions and anticipate track dynamics.

^{Coach Bestanbey Yüzbaşıoğulları (left), İskender Zülfikari (center), and his mother Deniz Zülfikari (right) (AA)}

Following his championship successes, Zülfikari has had opportunities to meet former Formula 1 champion Mika Häkkinen and current drivers such as Charles Leclerc. He states that rather than setting idols, he focuses entirely on developing his own abilities. His ultimate goal is to compete in Formula 1, the pinnacle of motorsport, and win a championship. He has expressed admiration for the driving styles of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, naming Max Verstappen as his favorite driver. His family emphasizes that his next step in his career will be to represent Türkiye at the world’s largest motorsport events.