Xavier Lázaro achieved his first podium today in the X30 Mini category during a stage of the Toyota Portuguese Karting Championship. The accomplishment took place in the opening round of the competition, held this weekend at the Kartódromo Internacional de Viana do Castelo, organized by the Clube Automóvel do Minho.
After being present in competition at the Minho karting track three weeks ago for the Portuguese Open, Xavier Lázaro, from Várzea de Sintra, returned to the track near Viana do Castelo to once again demonstrate a high level of skill. This time, he translated his good performances into results. Behind the wheel of the DR X30 Mini, Xavier Lázaro was able to materialize his good pace, securing the third position in Sunday's race.
"From the Start, Everything Went Wrong"
The weekend started negatively for Xavier Lázaro's aspirations for a good result in the opening stage of the championship. On Saturday, after the young eight-year-old stood out in the morning's free practices, he was hindered in the qualifying due to a mechanical issue that prevented him from performing at his best. The chain guard on his kart broke, prompting the display of the mechanical failure flag, and the DR driver was forced to return to the pits without setting any time. As a consequence, he ended up with the last position in the session.
Everything got even worse when, in the first Qualifying Heat, Xavier Lázaro, starting from the last position, ended up falling behind at the beginning of the race due to a failed attempt to overtake an opponent. The driver lost touch with the pack and couldn't recover positions, having to settle for the last place. In Saturday's Race 1, Xavier Lázaro managed to somewhat salvage his day, coming from the last position to finish in sixth place.
"Everything went wrong from the beginning", said Vasco Lázaro, Xavier's father, sounding disheartened. "He had an issue with the engine right after entering the track for the timed sessions and couldn't set a good time. This misfortune is a bit frustrating, as he has been competitive, and in the second free practice session, he had been the fastest. Then, in the races, in the first one, he wasn't lucky again and fell behind irreversibly. In the last race of the day, he did his best and finished sixth. However, considering his pace, this was not the desired result".
Sunday of Overcoming
Xavier Lázaro's final day in this first stage of the Portuguese Karting Championship Toyota started in a very negative way, as the driver from Várzea de Sintra struggled with a virus that made him feel very unwell. His discomfort was evident upon arriving at the karting track for the timed sessions. Despite the challenges, the driver took to the track, turning weaknesses into strengths to become the second fastest in the Qualifying, 0.447s behind the pole position holder.
"Xavier spent the night vomiting, arriving at the karting track today feeling very tired and weak"Vasco Lázaro mentioned. "He didn't take part in the free practices and did the timed sessions, even just to comply with the regulations, so he went out there, and he did well".
In Qualifying Heat 2, Xavier Lázaro imposed his good pace, and even though physically weakened, he managed to be efficient and finish in second place, 1.978s behind the winner, Martim Marques.
In Race 2, Xavier Lázaro lost two positions at the start, but even though somewhat fatigued, he went after the deficit, managing to reach the second position again in the final moments of the race. However, just before the checkered flag, he was overtaken again, having to settle for the final spot on the podium, behind Martim Marques and Diogo Caetano.
"Today was a better day for Xavier in terms of competition"Vasco Lázaro commented at the end. "Despite not being physically well today, he managed to surpass himself to secure the first podium in X30 Mini, something he desired a lot. Xavier gave a great demonstration of his strength today, overcoming physical weaknesses to assert himself on the track".
All the results of this stage can be consulted HERE.
Photos: Hellofoto
