Xavier Lázaro is the Champion of the Initiation category in 2020. Behind the wheel of the Birel ART for the Cabo Junior Team, the youngster from Várzea de Sintra was already mathematically the winner of this category after securing victory in the previous championship round (Braga). However, the requirement to be present at the final event of the competition would always delay the confirmation of his title until the last round, which took place last weekend in Viana do Castelo, organized by the Clube Automóvel do Minho.
With rain, sometimes quite heavy, constantly present at the International Karting Circuit of Viana do Castelo, Xavier Lázaro ended up being limited by an uncooperative engine in this final race of the originally named Figueiredo e Silva Trophy. As engines are assigned by lottery and do not all have the same competitiveness, Xavier Lázaro ended up with a unit much less capable than the one he had been assigned in the previous championship round. Still, on Saturday, Lázaro finished 2nd in the timed practice sessions, 0.963s behind the pole position holder. In the qualifying heat held later that day, the Cabo Junior Team driver would finish 3rd, behind Leonor Rocha and Francisco Correia.
Yesterday, young Lázaro's day began with a 2nd place finish in the final qualifying heat. The same position was secured in the Pre-Final that preceded the Final and ultimate race of the category this season. In the most important race of the weekend, Xavier Lázaro pushed his equipment to its limits, yet his competitive limitations were still evident, as the driver finished nearly six seconds behind the winner. Nevertheless, Lázaro secured the intermediate place on the podium in a race that served only to fulfill the schedule and, despite the cold and heavy rain, allowed the driver to have fun on the track.
“Estou muito feliz com a conquista do campeonato, é o justo prémio para esta temporada de karting”, said Xavier Lázaro at the end. “Esta prova fiquei limitado no meu ritmo pois não me calhou um bom motor, mas dei o meu melhor e procurei divertir-me ao máximo”.
All the results from the weekend at Viana do Castelo can be found HERE.
