Ocon sets pole in KF3 Portimao

The weather is great at the Kartodromo Portimao and timed qualifying started for the Euro WSK under a summer heat that is close to 30°C. The 82 competitors in KF3 were first on the track, divided into three groups. The Russian Vasily Romanov (Energy / TM) opened the scoring in the opening laps for Group 1, soon dislodged by Esteban Ocon (FA Kart / Vortex) in 57,407. Swiss drivermDarius Oskoui (Intrepid / TM) was in his wake, the Spaniard Pedro Hiltbrand (Kosmic / Vortex) took fourth from the Canadian Lance Stroll (Zanardi / Parilla), decidedly stronger and faster.

Briton George Russell (Intrepid / TM) set the first significant time in group 2 with 57,551 with Callan O’Keeffe (FA Kart / Vortex) at his heels, followed by Danish Lasse Sorensen (Birel / BMB) and the Croatian Martin Kodric ( Intrepid / TM). O’Keeffe finished first with a time of 57,513, the Norwegian Denis Olsen (Energy / TM) took 4th position and Japan’s Takashi Kasai (Tony Kart / Vortex) took 5th on the last lap.

Slavko Ivanovic (Tony Kart / Vortex), the Danish driver from Baby Race, started the Group 2 session with a time of 57,825 ahead of Antonio Fuoco (Top Kart / TM), Japan’s Asuka Muratomi (Maranello / Maranello) and the Greek Stratos Kirlagkitsis (Zanardi / Vortex).

Max Verstappen (CRG / Parilla) did not take long to get into the top 3, while Fuoco improved. Verstappen took command of his group with a time of 57,741 with only 6 laps on the clock ahead of Fuoco and Ivanovic.

The times didn’t improve over the 3 sessions and Ocon retained pole position at the end ahead of Callan O’Keeffe and Max Verstappen, the three fastest in KF3 so far this season. Ocon will not take long to find its footing in his new team, Genikart.

Info Kartcom with Kartlink / © Photo KSP