Xavier Lázaro raced in the IAME World Finals at the Kartódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão this weekend. The Várzea de Sintra driver was among the youngest on the track, competing among the 101 participants in the X30 Mini category.
Even though it was only possible to confirm Xavier Lázaro's presence at this, which was one of the karting events of the year in our country, at the last minute, bringing some logistical challenges to ensure the best possible competitiveness, the Portuguese driver had a positive performance in the race. As part of the ART team, Xavier Lázaro accumulated points in various heats held throughout the week, as well as in today's Super Heat, securing a place in the X30 Mini Final, which was his primary goal in the event.
Behind the wheel of the DR, Xavier Lázaro, however, did not have a fortunate outcome in the Final, hampered by some competitiveness issues overall, likely caused by a less effective set of new tires. The 10-year-old driver finished the Final in the 30th position, a result that may not be the most desired but still should be considered positive given the circumstances.
“Foi muito bom poder participar neste evento e chegar à Final da X30 Mini”, Xavier Lázaro said. “Quero agradecer à ART, especialmente ao Lucas Araújo e ao Pedro Maia pelo trabalho que fizeram comigo durante o fim de semana e por terem ajudado a tornar possível a minha presença no evento”.
About the result in the race, Xavier Lázaro said, “Este é o evento final de uma competição anual na qual não estive presente, por isso terminar nos melhores 30 de um total de mais de 100 pilotos é algo que me deixa muito contente. Sempre encarei a presença nesta prova como uma excelente oportunidade de treino e estabeleci uma meta mínima que era chegar à Final. Por isso saio daqui satisfeito. Nos primeiros dias consegui sempre andar entre os melhores do meu grupo. No sábado tive problemas de embraiagem que me condicionaram e hoje os pneus novos que coloquei na Super Heat acabaram por não resultar na pista. Ainda assim, faço um saldo positivo do fim de semana”.
Well, in Qualifying and on Day 1
It was only a few days in advance that Xavier Lázaro found out it would be possible to participate in the IAME World Finals in Portimão. With the specificity of this event requiring the search for competitive equipment in a short time, a good technical compromise was achieved with the ART team, well directed by former driver Lucas Araújo.
After ensuring the competitive aspect, Xavier Lázaro performed well in the timed practices, being the 9th fastest in his series and the 26th in the X30 Mini classification.
The Várzea de Sintra driver performed well in the first heat, finishing in sixth place. However, he had less luck in Heat 2, where he could have repeated the good result, but in an attempt to overtake an opponent, he ended up in a collision that set him back, finishing in 29th place.
Clutch Issues Arose In the Final Heats
In the last three heats he contested, Xavier Lázaro faced clutch problems in the DR, likely caused by the slow pace of the front drivers during the formation laps for the races. In Heat 3, Xavier Lázaro finished in 14th place. He achieved his best result on the second day of racing in Heat 4, finishing in seventh place by benefiting from some incidents ahead. In the final Heat, starting as usual from the 9th position in his group, he jumped to 5th place on the first lap, but due to clutch issues, he lost positions to finish in 13th.
Encountered Many Difficulties In the Super Heat and Final
Similar to the previous day, today Xavier Lázaro faced many competitiveness issues in the DR. At crucial moments during the weekend, for the Super Heat (IAME's term for the Pre-Final) and also the Final, the Portuguese driver opted for new tires, which, apparently, like other drivers who made the same choice, proved to be ineffective. Xavier Lázaro could not do better than finishing the Super Heat in 19th place. Due to his better results in the heats, the Portuguese driver still managed to secure a spot in the X30 Mini Final.
In the most important race of the weekend, but also the longest, Xavier Lázaro struggled on the track with tires that were not performing adequately, managing no better than finishing in 30th place. Nevertheless, at the end of the race, Xavier Lázaro was happy.
“Gostei muito de participar neste evento e chegar à Final. Fomos quatro os portugueses que honrámos Portugal na Final da X30 Mini”, Xavier Lázaro said.
“Apesar de na pista nem tudo ter corrido bem, estou muito satisfeito com o fim de semana. A presença nas IAME World Finals permitiu-me ter muitos quilómetros de pista em treino e em corrida e com várias condições de piso, pois o tempo nestes dias esteve muito instável. Ainda assim, fui à Final o que foi muito bom, numa competição em que sou dos mais novos e disputei com pilotos muito experientes, alguns já com 12 anos. Ainda esta semana vou para Itália, para a minha próxima presença nas WSK Euro Series, em Sarno”.
Photos: Hellofoto and PH24
