Nikita Ljubimov finished his second round of the FIA European Karting Championship competitively, remaining at the top of the OK Junior category.
After finishing the first round at Campillos, the Tony Kart driver also completed the Portimao round, marked by totally unpredictable weather. From Friday to Sunday, in fact, intermittent rain was the protagonist. It was not easy to manage the constant changes on the track, but Ljubimov did his best and confirmed his great progression and competitiveness.
After a good qualifying session, Nikita tackled the five heats in the programme always running for the top positions, marking a new step forward in his first year in this category. In the heats the race pace was very good and the Estonian driver was able to finish with a P3 for the first time in the first heat. In the second heat, Nikita was still battling for the top positions but a contact caused by a driver forced him into P11. P4 and P9 on Saturday and an unfortunate DNF due to a racing accident caused by an opponent when he was still in the top positions.
In Sunday’s Super Heat, still in mixed dry and wet conditions, Nikita did his best as always, closing in P7 and securing a good starting position for the category final. The final was the finale of the weekend and unfortunately did not smile on the Tony Kart driver who, after handling the start very well, recovering many positions in the top ten zone, was forced to retire due to a mistake that led to a race contact.
A bittersweet ending that, in any case, does not cancel out the very good performance of the whole weekend, especially in the rain and on a mixed track. The competitiveness shown will be the new starting point for the next races in Viterbo: Champions Of The Future 28/31 May – FIA Karting European Championship 5-8 June.
Nikita: “It was a completely crazy weekend and we had to adapt in every session and every heat. The weather was unbelievable but, thanks to the work together with my team, I was competitive in all conditions and I am happy about that, especially the heats. In the final I could have closed even more positively but unfortunately a mistake cost me the retirement, I will learn from this with the certainty of being able to fight for the best positions. Thanks to Tony Kart, Vortex, my mechanic, Marco Ardigò, my family and all the people who support me. See you in Viterbo!”
Nikita Ljubimov Press Office
Petrolhead Communication
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