Leonel Pernía, current TCR South America champion, started the 2026 season leaving no doubt: the Argentine is here to defend his title with full force. The Honda Racing driver managed to maintain the pole position advantage to win in both the South American category and TCR Brazil in the first race of the year, which took place this Sunday (8), at the Circuito dos Cristais, in Curvelo (MG).
Read more Rafael Câmara finishes debut F2 weekend with a podium in Australia
The race started with Leonel Pernía maintaining the first position, with Néstor Girolami right behind. Tiago Pernía managed to place himself in fourth in the first laps, which were very hectic. A highlight for Pedro Cardoso, who climbed from 14th to 8th in two laps.
On the third lap, Joaquín Cafaro was stuck in the pits, while Nelson Piquet Jr. had to stop for adjustments and returned far back on the grid. In the front pack, Tiago Pernía and Rapha Reis began to compete more fiercely, with the Brazilian managing the overtake.
The race was interrupted by the safety car after Bruno Massa was stranded in a dangerous area of the track. The race resumed quickly, with Pernía maintaining the lead. Camilo Trappa was leading in the Junior category.
In the middle of the pack, Cardoso caught up to Celso Neto and Diego Ciantini in a tight battle. Cardoso managed to establish himself in seventh and then overtook Trappa to secure sixth place. The race continued at a lighter pace in the following minutes, with Juan Angel Rosso taking third position.
Read more F1: Hamilton downplays missed pit stop and hails 4° in Australia
With just under five minutes to go, Gabriel Moura, who was in eighth, had problems with his car and lost several positions. Then, Enzo Falquete went off track and the safety car had to be deployed again.
The race still had a restart for the final lap, with Pernía leading the pack well to finish with the first victory of the season. Girolami and Rosso completed the podium for Race 1.
Raphael Reis finished fourth, while Pedro Cardoso took the checkered flag in fifth, followed by Tiago Pernía. Celso Neto was the sixth to cross the finish line. Argentine Camilo Trappa came right behind and won in the Junior Cup. Fabricio Pezzini was ninth and Nelson Piquet Jr. was tenth. In 13th, Adrian Chiriano secured the victory in the Trophy Cup.
TCR South America holds its second and final race of the first stage of the season later this Sunday, at 1:05 PM, with broadcasting on the category’s social networks and on TV Gazeta.
Read more F1: Lindblad speaks about special day in Australia: «I didn’t make any mistakes»
