Xavier Lázaro continued his international calendar for the current season last weekend. The Portuguese driver was in Sarno, at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli, for the 2nd round of the WSK Euro Series, as part of the official DR team, managed by Danilo Rossi. Competing against a smaller number of opponents in the Mini category, but with all the big names vying for victories present on the Neapolitan track, Xavier Lázaro showed how much he continues to evolve, consistently placing himself in the middle of the pack. This allowed him, for the second time this year, to be part of the Pre-Final competition.
Fast and Fearless
With a total of 67 drivers in the Mini category in Sarno, one might think that Xavier Lázaro's task for this 2nd round of the Euro Series would be somewhat facilitated. "It's easy to fall into the mistake of thinking that way", his father, Vasco Lázaro, said upon arrival at the circuit on the outskirts of Naples. "I think it's more important to analyze the list of participants, and we quickly realize that the most important, the fastest, and those who fight for victories and titles, they are all here".
After performing at a very high level in Lonato, where he consistently placed as a driver in the upper half of the Mini category, except in Qualifying, Xavier Lázaro reinforced his current good form from the free practices in Sarno. The young eight-year-old was quick and comfortable on one of the most demanding and challenging tracks on the calendar, with its 1.7km posing a greater challenge for Mini drivers.
In the official free practices, in his group, the Portuguese driver did quite well, securing the 29th time, just 0.3 seconds off the pole position, which is a clear sign of the competitive level of the entire Mini field. In Qualifying, the young driver from Várzea de Sintra ranked 15th in his group, resulting in the 43rd position among the 67 participants.
Consistent and Regular in the Qualifying Heats
In the very first Qualifying Heat, Xavier Lázaro showed what he was capable of, starting from 15th and efficiently finishing in 13th. However, in almost all the remaining races, the DR driver fell victim to more aggressive competitors who bumped into him, sometimes damaging parts of his DR, especially the front nose, leading to undesired penalties. In the second Qualifying Heat, the last one for the Portuguese driver on Friday, he finished in 16th, dropping one position from the start.
On Saturday, in the third Qualifying Heat (first of the day), Xavier Lázaro had his worst result, finishing 18th, falling victim to contacts that made him drop three positions. Interestingly, the result of the fourth Qualifying Heat, in which the Portuguese driver secured the 13th position. "In a race that wasn't even his best, Xavier finishes in 13th, as he didn't suffer any contact, avoiding penalties as well", said Vasco Lázaro.
In the 5th and final Qualifying Heat, the Portuguese driver finished in the same position as he started the race, in 15th.
Back in the Pre-Final... But It Didn't Last Long
With the total points from the Qualifying Heats, Xavier Lázaro secured access to a Pre-Final for the second time in his first significant international year in the Mini category. The driver from the outskirts of Sintra would start the second attempt to reach the Final on the 13th row, in 25th position.
However, once again luck was not on the side of the Portuguese driver, who was hit by an opponent shortly after the start, ending his race right there. An unfortunate result that dashed the hopes for the first appearance in a Mini Final at the WSK.
"It's frustrating that things ended this way in the Pre-Final", said Vasco Lázaro. "Xavier worked all week focused on the possibility of reaching the Pre-Final. His performance in Sarno, a very challenging track, was remarkable, showing how he is becoming more consistent and comfortable among many high-level drivers. The heat was an additional challenge that he overcame in an extremely positive weekend".
Xavier Lázaro, although a bit saddened by the result in the Pre-Final, said, "I would have liked to have contested the entire Pre-Final. I feel comfortable in the kart and I feel stronger every time. I know I am still very young, and it's just a matter of time until I can be on the starting grid for a Final".
Photos: Sportinphoto Kart Photo-Agency
