The Saturday Qualification Heats brought great intensity, many passes and uncertainties at Lonato, on a track always conducive to the spectacle. In high temperatures, Drivers and engines suffered in this second and final Competition of the CIK-FIA European Championships for KZ and KZ2, as well as for Round 2 of the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy. At the moment, no Driver has really broken away from the pack during this very indecisive Italian Grand Prix and we can expect surprises on Sunday.
In Karting, each new Competition is a challenge of set-up and strategy, depending on the temperature of the track, the layout and the thickness of the rubber deposited by the many karts over the laps. The meeting at Lonato has provided irrefutable proof of this, with provisional results very different from those we experienced in Salbris at the opening of the season, especially in the KZ and KZ2 categories.
Sunday could almost lead to two different races: the one between Drivers who are looking to shine in the race and the one where the contenders for the European Championship will compete! However, each Driver must still contest a Qualifying Heat before starting the Final and the hierarchy can still develop. The same goes for the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy.
KZ: Celenta and Kremers tied
With his pole position, Francesco Celenta (ITA) won the first heat in front of Marijn Kremers (NLD), who immediately responded in the second by passing his rival at the start of the race. Although one of them has a good chance of starting from pole, two other Drivers have impressed: Paolo De Conto (ITA) and Jorrit Pex (NLD), both of whom hold a fastest lap in the race. Despite his lack of racing in 2018 compared to his rivals, Mirko Torsellini (ITA) remained in 5th place in both his heats. In the provisional classification, Jérémy Iglesias (FRA) gained three places in relation to his result in Timed Practice.
KZ2: 12 heats, 5 winners
Although he has one less victory than the Frenchman Emilien Denner (3 against 2), the Italian Giuseppe Palomba (ITA) managed to come back to the height of his rival, totaling five points, the same score as Denner, the poleman from Friday. Giacomo Pollini (ITA) also had a brilliant day, winning twice. He is 3rd in the provisional ranking of the Qualification Heats before an unmissable final heat where he will attempt to start at the front of the Final.
Several Drivers have been very consistent despite very lively races, such as Matteo Vigano (ITA), Oliver Rasmussen (FRA), Alessio Piccini (ITA) and Alexander Schmitz (DEU). By winning one of his four Heats, Adrien Renaudin (FRA) proved he was determined to defend his leadership in the Championship. Three times a winner, but forced to retire in a heat, Riccardo Longhi (ITA) is the big loser of the day.
Academy: Two wins each for Meguetounif and Albanese
Poleman Sami Meguetounif (FRA) and Federico Albanese (ITA) won both their heats. Everything will be decided in the last, on Sunday morning, where they will compete to decide the result between them. In their wake, many have made themselves noticed. Kajus Siksnelis (LTU) finished 2nd twice and Guilherme A. De Figueiredo (BRA) twice 3rd! Suleiman Zanfari (MAR), with a fastest lap, was quick, as was Craig Tanic (FRA) and Joshua Rattican (GBR), who were forced to retire in a heat. Leader of the CIK-FIA Academy Trophy after Salbris, Jose Maria Navalon Boya (ESP) has so far gained six places from his Qualifying position.