Compétition

De Vries: World Champion and victorious in his last race

Sporting a new design on his Zanardi / Parilla, new graphics and a new helmet, Nyck De Vries, now assured of his second world title, probably wanted to do honor to his last race in karting. He perfectly fulfilled this mission in race four in the World Championship for KF1, the most competitive of the weekend at Suzuka. There were four different leaders, more than a dozen changes to the lead and an finish full of suspense. The audience, as always, were indulged as two Japanese drivers were on the podium.

Slightly headed by De Vries at the lights, Ignazio D’Agosto (Tony Kart / Vortex) quickly regained the lead before being attacked by Daiki Sasaki (Birel / Parilla). The skirmish between the two men lasted for four laps before Kazuya Ishii (Birel / BMB) joined the fight in mid-race by taking first place, a great feat for a driver who started last!

Meanwhile, Alex Albon (Intrepid / TM) was having a torrid time, last following a collision on the first lap. His second in the championship was then compromised by Flavio Camponeschi (Tony Kart / Vortex), who was second in the opening laps. But the Italian lost a few places and retired on lap 8. Yu Kanamaru (Tony Kart / Vortex) attempted to join in the fray early in the race, 3rd on lap 3, but he had damage and gradually fell to ninth.

Losing two places at the start, Karol Basz (RK / BMB) was then between fifth and sixth positions. At the front of the race, Ishii led D’Agosto on lap 12, with De Vries taking 4th place. The battle intensified towards the checkered flag with the arrival of Kiyoto Fujinami (LH / TM) who started 16th. The changes in position were multiplying, De Vries held the lead but was unable to get away by a sufficient distance. On the last lap, D’Agosto dropped to fifth with Fujinami 2nd, Sasaki 3rd and Basz fourth, while De Vries celebrated on the finish line.