Xavier Lázaro did not get off to the best start in his debut in the FIA Karting European Championship. At the opening round of the competition, held at Italy’s International Circuit La Conca, the Portuguese driver missed out on the OK Junior Final after a series of setbacks that began yesterday and continued into this morning.
Após ter tido um resultado muito positivo no Qualifying, onde foi 10º da sua série e 28º entre os 90 participantes da prova, o jovem da Várzea de Sintra teve prestações muito positivas nas três primeiras Mangas de Qualificação, sendo oitavo, 13º e 12º. No entanto, a penúltima Manga de Qualificação iniciou a falta de sorte do português, que saíu de pista na primeira volta e ao regressar acabou envolvido num acidente com um adversário. Xavier Lázaro lesionou-se numa mão e ainda foi desclassificado da Manga, porque a organização da prova considerou que fez ‘Unsafe Rejoin’. Com muitas dores na mão direita, Xavier Lázaro mostrou a sua fibra, correndo a derradeira Manga de Qualificação, terminando em 10º.
Depois do azar, as coisas ainda pioraram ontem, com o piloto a sofrer uma intoxicação alimentar que o forçou a vomitar toda esta noite e a não dormir. Ainda assim, correu hoje de manhã a Pré-Final B, ciente que era possível garantir presença na Final. No entanto, foi envolvido na primeira volta numa ‘carambola’ que tirou vários concorrentes da corrida. Xavier Lázaro conseguiu manter-se em prova mas bastante atrasado. Concluíu na 20ª posição, ficando sem chances de garantir presença na Final.
The driver returns to Portugal later today, where he will begin recovery from his hand injury, before making his return to competition in three weeks’ time at the second round of the Champions of the Future, held at the Kartódromo Internacional Lucas Guerrero in Valencia, Spain.
Excellent First Day of Racing
With DR delivering an excellent job in preparing Xavier Lázaro’s kart, the Portuguese driver made a strong impression in the Qualifying session, setting a lap time of 48.252 seconds. This secured him 10th place in his group and 28th overall. Demonstrating strong competitiveness and the right positioning on track, the 12-year-old finished just three tenths of a second off pole position.
The Portuguese driver’s strong form continued in the first of five Qualifying Heats. Starting from 10th on the grid, Xavier Lázaro delivered a proactive drive over the 10-lap race, gaining positions to finish in eighth place. In the following heat, he once again looked set for a strong result, but was unable to avoid being pushed off on the opening lap, dropping several positions. He managed to recover ground and ultimately finished 13th.
No dia de ontem, correu as restantes três Mangas de Qualificação. Na primeira, de novo a largar de 10º, do lado de fora, até nem começou mal mas a meio da prova foi prejudicado pelo ‘divebomb’ do polaco Remigiusz Samczyk (Exprit/TM Kart/Maxxis), que nem sequer foi penalizado pela organização. Xavier Lázaro de novo perdeu posições ao sair ligeiramente de pista mas concluiu em 12º.
Na penúltima Manga de Qualificação, o português largou muito bem do nono lugar (lado de dentro do traçado) e vinha forte na volta inicial. No entanto, saiu ligeiramente de pista e ao voltar foi abalroado por um adversário. O toque foi feio, ambos os pilotos abandonaram e Xaier Lázaro lesionou-se com algum impacto numa mão. A direção de prova entendeu que o piloto português fez ‘Unsafe Rejoin’ e desclassificou-o da corrida.
With his right hand heavily swollen and in considerable pain, Xavier Lázaro demonstrated great determination and resilience by lining up for the final Qualifying Heat. Although it was clear that the Portuguese driver was physically compromised, he still delivered a strong performance, securing 10th place.
This morning, the Portuguese driver appeared visibly weakened at the circuit following a bout of food poisoning that left him without sleep and suffering from persistent vomiting. Despite this, and with an injured hand, the young DR driver took to the track for Pre-Final B, aware that a place in the OK Junior Final was still within reach. However, underlining the difficult nature of his weekend, Xavier Lázaro was caught up in a multi-kart incident involving several drivers, many of whom were forced to retire. Although he dropped down the order, the Portuguese driver managed to continue and, through sheer determination, crossed the line in 20th position—the same place from which he had started. This result ultimately ruled out any chance of qualifying for the Final. Nevertheless, the strong indications shown by Lázaro on the opening day remain a positive takeaway. The driver will now focus on recovering from his right-hand injury, aiming to return to full fitness in time for the second round of the Champions of the Future in Valencia in approximately three weeks’ time.
