Martins and Piastri win the OK-Junior Prefinals

A few isolated clouds were not enough to remove the words “good weather” for this Prefinals this morning on the Portimao circuit. The temperature rose as the sun reached its height, but the usual light wind tempered the heat.

At exactly 11:05, the first prefinalists in OK-Junior were released onto the 1531m of the Portuguese circuit. Fin Kenneally (FA Kart / Vortex) led the way from Noah Watt (Tony Kart / Vortex) ahead of Victor Martins (Kosmic / Parilla) who grabbed the lead on the second lap. Teddy Wilson (CRG / Parilla) made a good start to reach 4th place ahead of Gillian Henrion (Kosmic / Vortex) and Isac Blomqvist (Tony Kart / Vortex). It was already over for Milane Petelet (Praga / TM) and Niklas Kruetten (FA Kart / Vortex). Charles Milesi (Tony Kart / Vortex) lost further places to 27th. Theo Nouet (Energy / TM) drove a beautiful early race to 18th with 12 places gained in front of William Bertrand (Tony Kart / Vortex).

Martins took off first, followed by Wilson and Watt, then Kenneally and Blomqvist by a few lengths. The duel between Watt and Kenneally benefited Blomqvist and Henrion. A collision eliminated Milesi and other drivers but Martins was well ahead of Wilson, then Watt 3rd. The fight was intense all the way in the chasing group. Kenneally recovered 4th position, followed by Blomqvist and Caio Collet (ART Birel / Parilla), but Henrion fell from 5th to 12th.

Oscar Piastri (FA Kart / Vortex) took the lead on the first lap of Prefinal 2 ahead of Bin Abdul Gafar Mizzuddin Musyaffa (DR / TM) and Sami Taoufik (FA Kart / Vortex). Kiern Jewiss (Exprit / Vortex) took 4th then 3rd, Dennis Hauger (CRG / Parilla) was in 5th ahead of Guido Moggia (Tony Kart / Vortex) and Theo Pourchaire (Kosmic / Vortex), and Adam Eteki (Tony Kart / Vortex) entered the top 10. Piastri and Mizzuddin Musyaffa slightly outpaced Jewiss, Hauger attacked Taoufik for 4th position, Antonio Serravalle (CRG / Parilla) was now 6th from Ville Uitto (Tony Kart / Vortex). Eteki reached 8th and Pierre-Louis Chovet (CRG / Parilla) 14th, while Pourchaire was in the battle for 17th position. Piastri won against Mizzuddin, Jewiss narrowly retained 3rd place ahead of Hauger, Taoufik and Serravalle. Ulysses De Pauw (Birel ART / Parilla) finished 18th overall in his difficult comeback from 28th position, and unfortunately Pourchaire finished 22nd.

This information relates to the direct running of the race, without prejudice to any subsequent penalties applied.

Info Kartcom with Kartlink / © Photo KSP