Parolin Motorsport made a flying start at the FIA Karting European Championship with a 3rd place for Christian Costoya in OK at the Spanish circuit of Campillos. 89 drivers were competing in OK and 82 in OK-Junior, meaning competition was fierce for the leading positions.
Costoya comes through the pack
Costoya took 3rd in the Final at Campillos after a masterful recovery from a wet Qualifying session. He was unlucky to be in the only group hit by a sudden shower and found himself 18th overall in the timed session. However, on home soil he recovered well, winning a heat and finishing 4th in Super Heat A with the fastest lap. In the Final he started 10th and by the close of the race was among the frontrunners, taking 3rd after intense battles although the leader had escaped. Costoya is now 6th in the Championship with three more events to go.
Hugo Martì and Beau Lowette were unlucky not to qualify for the Final despite strong gains in their Super Heat while Qarrar Firhand was unable to start his Super Heat due to technical reasons.
OK-Junior drivers on a steep learning curve
Giacomo Giusto made great strides this weekend at Campillos, qualifying 6th in his group and taking his first heat win, then going on to finish 25th in the Final. Priam Bruno, still recovering from a wrist injury, took three top six finishes in the heats then came home 22nd in the Final.
Alessandro Truchot qualified for the Final and gained places despite having a tough time and Bruno Blanco was as rapid as ever, setting the fastest lap in his Super Heat, but just missed out on the Final.
“Every driver in the team was tested to the limit at Campillos,” said team manager Marco Parolin, “The OK drivers had to contend with rain showers on Friday and the team also had to work hard to manage tyre wear when the temperatures rose, but this podium position is testament to the whole team’s relentless determination to get the job done. Our young drivers in OK-Junior also made their mark with heat wins and fastest laps and we look forward to the results to come as they follow in Christian’s footsteps.”
The team’s focus will now switch to Portugal and the second round of the European Championship at Portimao from 1st-4th May, preceded by the dress rehearsal of the Champions of the Future Euro Series second round the weekend before.