Competition

Da Luz wins the Cup in a turbulent final

What a race! The expected battle did take place, but the final result was decided on the last lap, with an upset in the last few hundred meters. Leading to the entrance of that fateful turn, Brandon Maïsano had everything needed to win the World Cup, but the Portuguese driver David Da Luz (Zanardi / Parilla) who took advantage of circumstances to win magnificently before Stoffel Vandoorne (CRG / Parilla) and Mitchell Gilbert (Kosmic / Vortex).

Brandon Maisano (LH / Maxter) took off as soon as the lights went out, but Matteo Viganò (Birel / Parilla) took the lead after the 3rd corner, the left hairpin which controls the long climb at Alcaniz. Felice Tiene (Kosmic / Vortex) struggled to find its place on the track and ended up 3rd behind Jacob Nortoft (FA Kart / Vortex), who would soon be in the action. Maïsano dropped to 4th but recovered quickly to 3rd place behind Tiene. The trio Vigano / Tiene / Maïsano began to detach itself from the pack.

Long in 5th, Smarrazzo let go and fell down the standings. Mitchell Gilbert (Kosmic / Vortex), 9th at the start, continued his efforts and soon joined the top 5, especially when he followed the rising Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne (CRG / Parilla), who started 15th and overtook many competitors. The racing was robust but sporting. On lap 5, the leading trio tightened up, and in order was Tiene, Vigano and Maïsano. Da Luz seems to have solved the performance problem and was and closer to the leaders.

During the 7th lap Maïsano was showing more speed and took the opportunity to pass Vigano. He seized 1st position on the following lap with Vigano at his heels. Tiene was 3rd. However, the wind blowing steadily on the circuit prevented the leader from getting away from from his pursuers who ran in his wake. The trio were stuck together by circumstances to the delight of the audience sitting on the terrace or on the banks that surround the circuit.

On the 10th lap, there was an outstanding pass on Vigano by Tiene. Then Da Luz joined the 3 men in an infernal quartet. Tiene regained the lead, which precipitated everything. There were now 2 laps to go. Maïsano and Vigano passed Tiene again, Vigano took the lead then dropped back immediately due to an overheating engine. On the last lap Maïsano began to believe in a possible victory when Tiene attacked him hard at the top of the hill, and they collided! Da Luz did not need to be asked to take command. Tiene tried in vain to take him before the finish line, but Maïsano had lost any chance.

On the line, Da Luz was of course 1st with Tiene second: but under after a 3 second penalty for going over the white line at the start, he was demoted to 5th. Stoffel Vandoorne harvested the fruits of his splendid recovery by taking the 2nd step. Mitchell Gilbert took 3rd place on the podium, which had been quite unpredictable. Maïsano had an extremely disappointing finish with an anonymous 6th place, far from his expectations …