Miguel Paludo dominates Carrera Cup race and Raijan Mascarello is Sprint Challenge champion
In two very busy races, the F1 Grand Prix Sao Paulo once again had a gala opening with the outcome of the Porsche Cup C6 Bank Mastercard sprint championship at Interlagos. The Sprint Challenge and Carrera Cup races have been frantic since the start, with multiple alternations from the riders who could emerge as champions in the last two remaining titles.
For the Sprint Challenge the drama started at the first corner and went to the final lap. Championship leader and favourite to win, Raijan Mascarello didn't even get around the first corner. Reached in dispute of the first brake of the race with Caio Castro, the #80 accompanied the entire race from inside the medical car in the escape area. His direct competitor, Cristian Mohr, fought the entire race to advance to fifth place, fighting with a very front car. He was in a position to take the title and tried until the final lap, risking an outside manoeuvre on Ayman Darwich at the Lake corner and finishing at the tyre barrier.
The victory came with Nelson Marcondes, who led all laps of the weekend's two races after coming off pole in both races and finished the season as runner-up behind Mascarello.
In the Carrera Cup pole dominated with authority. Heptachampion Miguel Paludo converted the advantage of starting in front in a quiet victory, entitled to the best lap of the race. He has now reached 38 victories in the Porsche Cup C6 Bank Mastercard and is one of equalling the historic record of Constantino Jr. Marçal Muller received the flag in second. After a few entertaining during the race, Enzo Elias came in third, confirming his mathematically won title the day before.
The Carrera Sport competition was electrifying from start to finish. Lucas Salles started ahead of Franco Giaffone, but the #3 car competitor overcame the competitor on the track after multiple position reversals. Giaffone ended up with the win and the title in the division.
The Porsche Cup C6 Bank Mastercard returns to action on December 3 rd in a 500km race that will close the season and endurance challenge championship.
The Sprint Champions in 2022
Carrera Cup - Enzo Elias
Carrera Sport as Franco Giaffone
Carrera Rookie - Lineu Pires
Sprint Challenge - Raijan Mascarello
Challenge Sport - Guilherme Bottura
Rookie Challenge - Gustavo Zanon
Read the full weekend reports here