The fifth round of TCR South America and TCR Brasil concluded this Sunday (26) with Joaquín Cafaro dominating Race 2, held at Autódromo Velocitta, in Mogi Guaçu (SP). The Uruguayan led from start to finish to secure the victory, while Leonel Pernía confirmed the TCR Brasil title by crossing the finish line in fifth place. Raphael Reis, who still had chances to win the championship, saw his possibilities end after going off track and making two pit stops during the race. Check out how the race unfolded:
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Joaquín Cafaro started from pole position due to the grid inversion and managed to maintain the lead at the start. Fabricio Pezzini took second place, followed by Camilo Trappa. In the title fight, Leonel Pernía completed the first lap in fourth, while Raphael Reis dropped to eighth and remained stuck behind Tiago Pernía in the initial laps.
The beginning of the race saw few position changes. Raphael Reis was one of the few to attempt a more aggressive maneuver, but he ended up being overtaken by Gabriel Moura and dropped to ninth place. On the following lap, the Brazilian managed to regain eighth place.
With just over 22 minutes remaining on the clock, Reis attacked Tiago Pernía again but ended up going off track with heavy braking. The driver had to go through the pits, definitively compromising his chances of staying in the championship fight. Meanwhile, Pedro Cardoso took the opportunity to overtake Camilo Trappa and move into third position.
Even after returning to the track, Raphael Reis was more than a lap behind the leaders. Up front, Pedro Cardoso maintained a good pace, overtook Fabricio Pezzini, and took second place. Further back, Nelson Piquet Jr. gained a position by overtaking Gabriel Moura and reached eighth place. Shortly after, Reis had to return to the pits again.
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In the midfield, Gabriel Moura led a group of seven cars and engaged in good battles with Néstor Girolami. The Argentine found space to overtake with about 12 minutes remaining. Immediately after, Fabian Yannantuoni also pressured Moura, the two drove side by side, and the Brazilian ended up losing another position.
In the final stretch, Leonel Pernía closed in on Camilo Trappa in the battle for fourth place. The Argentine pressured during the final minutes, but Trappa managed to defend and held his position until the checkered flag.
Without being threatened in the lead, Joaquín Cafaro took the checkered flag with more than a two-second advantage over Pedro Cardoso. Fabricio Pezzini completed the podium, while Leonel Pernía finished in fifth place, a result sufficient to confirm the TCR Brasil 2026 title. Raphael Reis, after the problems faced during the race, was out of contention for the championship.
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