Xavier Lázaro kicked off the national karting season this weekend. After racing in Italy earlier this year in the 2nd stage of the WSK Super Master Series, the driver from Várzea de Sintra now participated in the Karting Open of Portugal in Viana do Castelo. The event was organized by the Clube Automóvel do Minho.
Present on the Minho circuit since Friday, the eight-year-old driver consistently showed great comfort behind the wheel of the X30 Mini category DR. Throughout various practice sessions, he consistently ranked among the fastest. Maintaining this performance, he secured the third-best time in Saturday's official free session, improving even further in the timed practice, where he emerged with the second-best time. His timed lap of 50.126s left him just thirty milliseconds behind the pole position holder.
"Xavier has been very comfortable behind the wheel of the DR from the beginning", said the father of the driver, Vasco Lázaro. "He is super competitive, and since he arrived here, he has always been among the best, which is excellent and highlights the progress he has made since last year".
On Saturday, during the afternoon, Xavier Lázaro ran the two qualifying heats of this edition's Open Portugal Karting program. In the first of the two races of the day, he started in second but was hindered by contact with an opponent, dropping several positions. Despite the inglorious effort of a forced recovery, he couldn't do better than ninth place. In the other qualifying heat, he came from the back to the front, finishing the race in fourth place after a spectacular performance that allowed him to gain five positions in the race.
On Sunday, Xavier Lázaro started the Pre-Final with great focus, moving from fifth to once again have a race on the rise. Always involved in battles, he ultimately finished in third place, a position that gave him encouragement for an excellent result in the Final. He started well for the ultimate and most important race of the weekend, quickly taking the second position. However, he ended up involved in a collision with the driver just behind him (João Barros) when Barros attempted an unsuccessful overtaking maneuver. Both drivers lost many positions, compromising their chances of a podium. Xavier Lázaro concluded his presence in this edition of the Open Portugal in sixth place.
"I am a little sad about the result because I performed well throughout the entire weekend, and it had been possible to finish in the top positions", Xavier Lázaro mentioned at the end. "Reflecting on the entire weekend, I am very pleased with my pace, as I consistently managed to be one of the fastest. I am optimistic for the rest of the season. I cannot miss the opportunity to thank José Marreiros for the excellent work he did with my engine and also express my gratitude to my mechanic, who is my father".
Making his debut this weekend at the Viana do Castelo Kartódromo as the mechanic for his son's kart, Vasco Lázaro was very pleased with Xavier's performance, even though the final result left a bittersweet taste. "If I analyze Xavier's pace and the good performances he demonstrated on the track throughout the weekend, I can't help but feel a little sad about the final sixth place; it felt like it wasn't enough", Vasco Lázaro admitted. "Analyzing things more objectively, I must say that this weekend was incredibly enriching in terms of knowledge, the level presented on the track, and the work of the small structure in which Xavier is this year. I debuted as a mechanic, and I must highlight and thank the work of José Marreiros, in addition to wanting to make a special acknowledgment to Mário Almeida, who also provided us with engines. The icing on the cake would have been Xavier achieving a podium, but there is a record of his tremendous improvement and the certainty that this season will require reckoning with him in the battle for the top positions".
All the weekend's results can be consulted HERE.
Photos: Hellofoto
