The first free practice of the 2026 TCR South America season was led by Leonel Pernía, the current champion of the category. The Honda Racing driver clocked 1min23s238 on his best lap this Saturday morning (7), at the Circuito dos Cristais, in Curvelo (MG).
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Pernía’s time was 0s283 faster than the one set by Néstor Girolami. Returning to the category, the Hyundai MSA driver showed strong pace at the opening of activities. The third best mark was from the current TCR Brazil champion, Nelson Piquet Jr., with 1min23s654. Next came Joaquín Cafaro, from Uruguay Racing Team, with 1min23s866. Juan Ángel Rosso was the last driver to stay within the same second as Pernía: the Paladini Racing driver achieved 1min24s124.
Meanwhile, Tiago Pernía, from Honda Racing, was sixth with 1min24s263. The seventh best lap of the morning in Curvelo was in the hands of Camilo Trappa, another Hyundai MSA driver, with 1min24s286. Fabricio Pezzini, from Paladini Racing, came right behind with 1min24s317. Rookie Eric Schotten, from W2 Pro GP, secured the ninth mark: 1min24s452. Enzo Gianfratti closed the top-10 of the session by clocking 1min24s510 with the G Racing car.
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In TCR Brazil, the order of the top ten was as follows: Leonel Pernía, Nelson Piquet Jr., Tiago Pernía, Fabricio Pezzini, Eric Schotten, Enzo Gianfratti, Pedro Cardoso, Gabriel Moura, Juan Manuel Casella and Bruno Massa.
The TCR cars return to the track later this Saturday, at 12h50, for the second free practice. Qualifying is scheduled for 16h05.
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