Natalia Valentina Balbo

Natalia Valentina Balbo is an Italian racing driver with a diverse background in motorsports. Born on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1996, she began karting at the age of 10. Balbo quickly progressed through the ranks, moving from Mini to Junior categories and competing in brand challenges, even qualifying for an international grand final. In 2017, she transitioned to the KZ2 category, demonstrating her willingness to take on a challenging class. Her career highlights include qualifying for European Championship Finals and finishing 16th out of 100 at the International Supercup in Lonato in 2020.

Balbo's involvement in motorsports extends beyond driving. To finance her racing seasons, she worked as a mechanic and coach, an experience she found rewarding. This role allowed her to share in the joys and sorrows of young drivers and provided a different perspective that ultimately improved her own performance behind the wheel. In 2023, she assisted young Polish driver Klara Kowalczyk in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy.

While continuing to race, including participation in major international events like the FIA Karting KZ2 World Cup at Le Mans in 2022, Balbo is also focused on completing her mechanical engineering studies at university. More recently, she has taken on a management role within the CRG Racing Team, focusing on sports management and driver relations, demonstrating her comprehensive understanding of the sport and her commitment to its future.