Xavier Lázaro raced in the 2nd and final stage of the WSK Final Cup this weekend. In the Mini category, the Portuguese driver consistently performed at a high level, coming very close to earning a well-deserved spot in the Final for the first time. In Lonato, a track that the Portuguese driver is starting to become familiar with, it was evident how significant his progress has been in a year that marked a radical change in his still young karting career.
Strong Performance Started Right from the Practices
In what was his final stage of an extensive WSK event calendar, Xavier Lázaro arrived in Lonato highly motivated to compete in the conclusion of the Final Cup. From the beginning, the Várzea de Sintra driver was competitive and posted good times in both free practice sessions and qualifying. Competing against 124 confirmed drivers in the Mini category, Xavier managed to be the fifth fastest on the track in his series during qualifying, with a lap time of 52.929 seconds, leaving him just 0.358s behind the best time. In the overall standings of the category, Xavier Lázaro ranked 18th out of the 124 participants, among whom were the best Mini drivers, and he is one of the youngest and least experienced in this category. His performance is certainly one of the best in the WSK Promotion for the Mini category ever achieved by a Portuguese driver.
Inexperience and Engine Issues Were Decisive
After securing a starting position from fifth place for all six heats aiming for a spot in the Pre-Final and Final of the Mini category, Xavier Lázaro had to face something new in his appearances in Italy: the fact that, for the first time, he was racing among the more experienced and renowned drivers.
Initially, the nine-year-old took on the challenge and was competitive on both the first and second days. However, he struggled at times to conceal his inexperience at a higher level of demand. He found himself inexperienced in some position battles, although he maintained consistency to avoid damaging his kart and thus preventing penalties. On the first day, he finished the heats in 10th, 32nd, and 11th places, respectively. The result in the second heat was particularly punishing, dropping the Portuguese driver outside the top 30. An issue with the DR engine caused Xavier Lázaro to lack power early in the race, making him about two seconds per lap slower than his competitors. As a result, Lázaro slipped down the rankings, simultaneously accumulating a score that was too detrimental for securing a favorable position in the Pre-Final.
On the second day of heats, the DR driver was consistent and made no mistakes. Primarily focused on avoiding collisions, Xavier Lázaro secured 11th, 13th, and 15th positions, earning him a spot in Pre-Final B, although starting from the back rows in the 26th position.
Although the chances of Xavier Lázaro qualifying for a Final in WSK for the first time were slim, the DR driver fought hard and perhaps had his best race this year in Italy during the Pre-Final. In theory, a placement within the top 18 in the Pre-Final would secure a spot among the 36 participants in the main race that everyone wants to be part of. However, the driver's worsened score from the second heat on Friday (32nd) required an even more ambitious result. Nevertheless, Xavier Lázaro climbed up to 19th, competing with those who stood out the most over the weekend in the category. His performance was convincing even to Danilo Rossi, the head of DR, who was very pleased with Xavier's performance in the Pre-Final.
At the conclusion of the weekend, Xavier Lázaro was both happy and sad, "I gave my best in the Pre-Final, but unfortunately, the result didn't meet what I wanted", said the Portuguese driver from DR. "In any case, the weekend was good, and I feel increasingly comfortable with the demands of these competitions."
With the 2022 season in WSK Promotion concluded, Xavier Lázaro will still compete in Italy later this year. The Várzea de Sintra driver will be present in Sarno to participate in the 27th edition of the Ayrton Senna Trophy. The event is scheduled to take place from December 9 to 11.
Photos: Sportinphoto Kart Photo-Agency
