[EN] Pedro Lima Conquers Interlagos 'Rollercoaster,' Secures Double Podium During F1 Weekend
- Guilherme Caldeira
- 10 de nov.
- 3 min de leitura
The Starrett Bassani Racing driver showcased remarkable resilience and outright pace at Brazil's 'Temple of Motorsport,' shining for the home crowd during the most significant racing weekend of the season.
The Autódromo de Interlagos was not just the stage for Formula 1 this past weekend (November 7–9); it was also the arena where the young talents of Brazilian F4 proved their worth. For Starrett Bassani team driver Pedro Lima, the event was a true emotional rollercoaster, ending with two trophies that cemented his speed and resilience.
Racing in the "backyard" of F1, with the grandstands of the São Paulo GP packed, adds a unique pressure. Pedro Lima, however, seemed to thrive in this high-stakes atmosphere.
The Turnaround: From Frustration to Triumph
The weekend began with promise. In Friday’s qualifying session, Lima clocked the second-fastest time, securing an excellent starting position for the decisive races. However, motorsport rarely follows a simple script.
In Race 1, starting from fifth position (per the second-best lap rule), Pedro immediately showed aggressive pace. He quickly climbed the order and was already battling for the leading positions, even running in second, when contact caused his front wing to break off on the track. The driver was forced to make an unscheduled pit stop for repairs—an eternity in a short F4 race. The incident dropped him to the back of the pack, where he ultimately finished the race in last place.
It was a difficult blow that truly tested the driver and the Starrett Bassani team. But what happened next would define his weekend.
The Spectacular Recovery
Race 2, held on Saturday (8), demanded a heroic recovery. The resulting script, however, was electrifying right from the moment the lights went out.
Starting from 14th position, Pedro Lima delivered an astonishing opening lap. I
n a demonstration of raw speed and opportunism, he skillfully avoided incidents and attacked at the right moment, leaping from P14 to P5 before even completing the first tour.
Immediately following this initial charge, an incident elsewhere on the track brought out the Safety Car, which was then upgraded to a Red Flag, temporarily halting the competition.
After track clearing, the scenario became even more dramatic: the race restarted with just 6 minutes left on the clock. From fifth position, Pedro Lima showed no hesitation. In the ensuing "short sprint," he was surgical, overtaking two more opponents and taking the checkered flag in a spectacular third place.
It was a two-part performance: an impressive start and a precise, against-the-clock finish, securing a podium that had seemed highly unlikely just minutes before. The result, truly "fought for" from the back of the grid, tasted like a victory.
"We're happy to finish the day on the podium with Pedro Lima. In the first race, Lins also had a good performance and we closed in the top 5. Tomorrow we start from second position again with Lima and will have the chance to fight for the win. Now, it's time to work, analyze the data, and go all out tomorrow."
- Eduardo Bassani, Starrett Bassani Team Principal.
Ferrari Promo
Consummate Performance on Sunday
To close out the weekend on a high note, Sunday's Race 3 was a demonstration of consistency.
Starting from second position (reflecting his strong qualifying performance), Pedro Lima drove an intelligent and mature race. He maintained the pace on the leader throughout the event, secured a comfortable gap over the third-place finisher, and made no mistakes.
By crossing the finish line in second place (P2), Pedro Lima secured his second podium of the weekend, this time in front of the event's largest crowd, just minutes before the Formula 1 cars took to the track.
The Brazilian F4 weekend at Interlagos proved a great success, giving young drivers a global platform. For Pedro Lima, it was more than just a successful event: it was proof that, even when everything seems lost, speed and sheer determination can still lead to the podium.
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