Crushing domination by Antonelli, the 2021 OK European Champion

The weather was quite warm, 28°, but a light wind was blowing and making the cameras vibrate while a light cloudy veil spread out in the sky of Zuera for the OK Final of the FIA Karting European Championship. Only Arvid Lindblad (KR/Iame), 3rd on the grid, was able to challenge Andrea Kimi Antonelli (KR/Iame) for the title.

After two false starts, the race was finally underway. Antonelli had to fight against Lindblad on the first lap as the slow procedure was initiated after several karts went off the track. Ugo Ugochukwu (KR/Iame) and Luigi Coluccio (Kosmic/Vortex) had to retire. The race was restarted on the third lap. Lindblad was still as incisive against the leader. Joe Turney (Tony Kart/Vortex) was forced to retire after contact with Norton Andreasson (Tony Kart/Vortex). In 3rd place Tuukaa Taponen (Tony Kart/Vortex) was followed by Ruben Moya (KR/Iame) +15 pl and Matheus Morgatto (Birel ART/TM) +16 pl. Rafael Camara (KR/Iame) regained his starting position in 6th place on lap 7.

As the halfway point approached, Antonelli accelerated and put Lindblad behind him, now followed by Taponen. Morgatto moved up to 4th position followed by Camara. The Brazilian then moved up to 4th and joined Lindblad in 2nd place in the Championship. Antonelli was flying to victory at a furious pace. Lindblad had slightly distanced himself from Taponen who was still 1,9″ ahead of Camara. Edoardo Villa (Exprit/Vortex) had made up 20 places to reach 7th place. Antonelli was lapping in 1’00”8, at least 5 tenths faster than most of his rivals.

Antonelli triumphed 5.5′ ahead of Lindblad and took the European crown for the second time in a row. Taponen finished 3rd ahead of Camara who became vice-champion. It was 5th place for Morgatto (+16 pl) ahead of Moya and Martinius Stenshorne (Birel ART/TM). Evan Giltaire (KR/Iame) finished 15th, followed by Brando Badoer (Parolin/TM).

Info Kartcom / Photo © KSP