The past weekend was in many ways very different for Xavier Lázaro, considering his tender age of 7 years old. On one hand, it marked his return to competition with the national karting 'caravan' back on the tracks to fulfill the schedule from last year, where the Portuguese Karting Cup had not yet taken place. On the other hand, it was an enormous task entrusted to such a young driver: competing in two categories so different from each other.
Only those who are unfamiliar with competition in the youngest categories of karting fail to understand how difficult this sport is, with so much to learn, evolve, and process, considering the posture and mentality of children at such a young age. The level of difficulty increases exponentially when a 7-year-old is asked to compete in two categories so different in terms of the power of the engines used, the chassis, but above all, the driving required by the karts in the Initiation and X30 Mini classes in the same weekend. However, the magnitude of the challenge ended up highlighting Xavier Lázaro's performance in the 2020 Portuguese Karting Cup, held last weekend at the International Algarve Karting Circuit in Portimão.
"I have to emphasize that Xavier's performance this weekend in the Algarve was remarkable at all levels", said a very proud Vasco Lázaro (the driver's father) late Sunday afternoon. "In our family, we are all aware that the challenge he was given this weekend was enormous, especially considering how young he is. Just analyzing, for example, his size compared to the driver who won the X30 Mini today, they seem to be from two completely different realities. Xavier can barely push the X30 Mini kart" (laughs)"Due to the combative and enthusiastic manner in which he tackled a challenging mission, I must say his performance was excellent, reinforced by the results, the victory in the Initiation class and a top 6 in the X30 Mini, the latter of which greatly surpassed my expectations".
Victory in the Initiation Class Marks the End of a Cycle
As reigning National Champion in the Initiation class, Xavier Lázaro arrived at the International Algarve Karting Circuit with the mission/responsibility of concluding his presence in the category by achieving the so-called 'double win.' Even though he was not lucky in the engine draw, as the unit with the best performance went to another driver, the young racer from Várzea de Sintra did not lose motivation or focus on the ultimate goal. He was only beaten in the timed practices, where he had to settle for the 2nd best time. He won all qualifying heats, the Pre-Final, and the Final. Furthermore, he increased his superiority on the track with each race, only bothered by his main rival, Martim Gomes, in the 1st Qualifying Heat and the Final. With this result and especially with the performance he delivered, Xavier Lázaro confirmed himself as the strongest in the category in 2020.
"Winning the Portuguese Karting Cup has always been a dream of mine, but the desire to do so in the Initiation class grew as I waited for this race"said Xavier Lázaro noticing that the arrival of this long-awaited weekend had been postponed several times due to restrictions applied to sporting events because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. "I was a little scared when I wasn't the best in the timed practices. Not having the best engine ended up being a big disadvantage, but my family motivated me a lot, which helped me stay even more focused on the races. I gained confidence, becoming stronger with each race. With this result, I was able to fulfill my dream, but now I have other dreams that I hope may come true in the future" (laughs)
"Performance in X30 Mini Exceeded All Expectations"
Xavier Lázaro's debut in the X30 Mini class represented a true unknown in terms of results. Nevertheless, these were secondary since the important thing was to learn and evolve, which is indeed the goal for this entire upcoming season. The young 7-year-old is completely inexperienced in this new class where he will face challenges of a different level, with position disputes being much more frequent than in the Initiation class. Last weekend, Lázaro joined a field of 12 participants in the X30 Mini.
With the focus of his presence in Portimão on learning, Xavier Lázaro began to impress in the timed practices, emerging with the 4th best time. His lap of 1m08.911s left him just 0.446 seconds off the pole position, but the biggest challenge of his debut in the event was the races, and that became evident on Saturday afternoon during the two qualifying heats. Although competitive and spirited behind the wheel of the Kart Republic, Xavier Lázaro made his inexperience clear, as he ended up damaging the nose of his kart in the heat of some disputes, resulting in penalties in both races and a drop in several positions in the standings.
On Sunday, the decisive day of the event, with the Pre-Final and Final races, in addition to the races he also had to do in the Initiation class, Xavier Lázaro demonstrated focus and maturity that did not go unnoticed by anyone, as well as his enormous combativeness on the track. His best performance was indeed in the Final, where Lázaro climbed from 10th place to gain four positions in the race and finish 6th, a remarkable feat. Compared to the previous day, Xavier Lázaro maintained the ability to engage in disputes, the understanding that in the X30 Mini it is essential to draft with other drivers, especially in Portimão, all without damaging the nose of his kart even once. The evolution in such a short time in the category was obvious, as was the ability to think and execute his goals in the races. For such a young driver, this performance is impressive, especially considering that he had to navigate the complexity of driving two karts with such different characteristics.
"Whatever happens, it's important to make it clear that this year is for Xavier to learn and evolve in the X30 Mini, regardless of the results he may achieve", Vasco Lázaro stated at the end of Sunday in Portimão. "He is very young but also very focused. He is entering a new reality where there are very good and experienced drivers. So, for now, it's just about training and doing the best possible. Nevertheless, I am very happy with his performance in the X30 Mini; it exceeded all expectations".
Regarding his participation in the X30 Mini, Xavier Lázaro said, "I am very happy with my debut in the X30 Mini, although on Saturday I was saddened by the penalties, as I didn't think I had damaged the nose of my kart. On Sunday, I managed to perform better and finished 6th in the Final. Now, I just want to practice a lot to get better and better. I want to thank my family, my sponsors, and the Cabo Júnior Team, especially my mechanic Jacinto Gameiro, for their support".
