After the recent performances of Xavier Lázaro, both nationally and internationally, highlighting his clear improvement behind the wheel of the DR in the X30 Mini category (Portugal) and Mini category (Italy), there was much anticipation for the eight-year-old driver's participation in the second round of the Toyota Portuguese Karting Championship, held last weekend in Leiria. However, despite the young talent from Várzea de Sintra showcasing his good form on the track, the final result turned out to be a bitter pill to swallow, caused by the on-track behavior of some of his opponents who pushed him away from the intended goal.
Day 1 Promised But Did Not Confirm
On the very first of the two days of the event organized by the Núcleo de Desportos Motorizados de Leira (NDML), Xavier Lázaro had a clear understanding of what it means to fall short of objectives. After securing the third position in the timed practice sessions, the DR driver had a good start in the 1st Qualifying Heat, managing the race well and reaching the second position on the last lap. His competent performance secured a place on the front row of the starting grid for Race 1 of the weekend at the Kartódromo Internacional de Leiria.
The first bitter taste of an unsavory weekend came shortly after the start of Race 1 when Xavier Lázaro was pushed out of the second position by a pursuing opponent on the track. The driver ended up temporarily off the track, dropping below the top five, specifically to the seventh position. Despite staying in the race, in a competitive category, Lázaro couldn't narrow the gap to those ahead, and the driver had to settle for the seventh final position, about two seconds behind the sixth-placed competitor.
"We started the day unsure of how to set up the DR, as the weather was very unstable, raining, drying, raining, and drying", Vasco Lázaro said at the end of Saturday. "In the Qualifying session, initially, the engine seemed not to cooperate, but everything turned out well, and Xavier was fast, securing the third-best time, even though he always did the session alone, meaning he didn't follow anyone's slipstream.
"He performed well in the Qualifying Heat and did what he knows, reaching second and holding his position. The problem arose in Race 1, where once again an opponent, in the eagerness to overtake, instinctively pushed him off the track, ruining Xavier's race immediately.".
Day 2 Intensified the Nightmare at Milagres
On the final day of the competition, Xavier Lázaro's goal was once again to have a good performance behind the wheel of the DR. However, as goals are not always achieved, things started off poorly in the timed session, where an issue with the DR's carburetor prevented the driver from achieving better than the 10th position.
Knowing that he would have to gain positions during the race, Xavier Lázaro set off motivated for the 2nd Qualifying Heat. Quick and competent, the eight-year-old swiftly climbed positions and finished in seventh place.
For Race 2, the objective remained the same – to climb as many positions as possible, preferably to finish on the podium, a goal that, judging by the pace of the DR driver, seemed achievable. As soon as the race began, Xavier Lázaro started gaining positions, but when he was in fourth place, he was once again pushed off the track by an opponent. In the land of Miracles, Xavier Lázaro decidedly had no luck, and amidst misfortune, he managed to take the DR to the end of the race, finishing in a frustrating seventh place, the same position where everything began.
"Once again, Xavier finishes the races upset because he feels he has the pace to be in the fight for the front positions but ends up prevented from getting there by the on-track behavior of some opponents", said his father Vasco Lázaro, frustrated. "The satisfaction remains in seeing him evolve behind the wheel of the DR and knowing that he is intelligent enough to turn these setbacks into lessons for the future".
Xavier Lázaro said, "We always get a bit upset when this happens, but I am motivated for the future. I am always learning in races, whether here or abroad; my pace is getting better, and my learning is enriched by everything that happens on the track. I leave here stronger and motivated".
All the results of this stage can be consulted HERE.
Photos: Hellofoto
