Xavier Lázaro had a very positive performance today at the Kartódromo Internacional de Braga (KIP), the stage for the first of two days in the ultimate round of the Karting Portugal Championship KIA. In the event organized by ACDME, which was held in the rain today, the young driver, who recently turned eight years old, performed at the highest level, recording his best performance so far behind the wheel of the Kart Republic in the X30 Mini category.
The track was challenging throughout the day for the X30 Mini drivers, with constant rain, unable to flood the circuit but enough to make it wet and extremely slippery. In these conditions, Xavier Lázaro managed to deliver an extremely positive performance on the track, a testament to his constant evolution in this debut season in the X30 Mini category.
The sixth best absolute time in the first official free practice session immediately signaled what would be the day for this young driver on the Braga track. With a lap time of 1m08.669s, Xavier Lázaro was 0.831s behind the fastest. In the Qualifying session, the Várzea de Sintra driver was unlucky, hampered by an opponent that ruined his chances of a good lap, managing only a 1m10.883s, a time that 'sank' him to 12th position among the 14 participants.
With the misfortune of timed practice already behind him, Xavier Lázaro appeared strong and highly motivated for the first Qualifying Heat. Starting from 12th, the Cabo Junior Team driver fought hard, climbing positions in the pack to conclude in a spectacular 8th place.
"I had bad luck in the timed practice. Another driver entered the track just as I was starting my flying lap and ruined my time", said a frustrated Xavier Lázaro. "I went all out for the Qualifying Heat because I knew I could finish well".
The Race 1 concluded the race program for the X30 Mini category on this competitive Saturday in Braga, and Xavier Lázaro performed even better than in the Qualifying Heat, with a competitive performance that did not go unnoticed by all who visited the Minho circuit today.
Lázaro started from eighth place in the race and once again worked hard during the race, even reaching fourth place at one point. However, his lack of experience at times affected his performance, making it difficult for him to defend against the final pressing from Gustavo Silva and Manuel Gayoso. The intense battle between these three drivers caused damage to the front of their respective karts, which ultimately resulted in uncomfortable penalties. Despite the penalty, Xavier Lázaro secured sixth place in the race, his best result so far in an X30 Mini race in the championship. Additionally, the driver displayed a consistently high pace during the race, with his best lap time of 1m07.443s, leaving him just 0.407s behind the fastest lap.
"I'm becoming more and more comfortable behind the wheel of the X30 Mini", Xavier Lázaro said. "This track is very difficult, and with the rain, it was slippery, but I had a lot of fun racing, it's just a shame about the contact that resulted in the penalty", he concluded.
Tomorrow marks the second day of this ultimate stage of the Karting Portugal Championship KIA. You can view all the results of the event HERE.
Photos: Hellofoto
