Leonel Pernía takes lights to flag victory at San Juan
Honda Racing YPF driver Leonel Pernía dominated Race 1 at San Juan Villicum to claim his third victory of the 2025 TCR South America season.
Leonel Pernía took the lead from the pole position at the start as his team-mate Nelson Piquet Jr got a slow start, losing several positions. Honda driver Tiago Pernía stalled and unable to restart his car, prompting a safety car intervention.
The issues for the Honda drivers at the start allowed Cupra driver Raphael Reis to climb up to second place, with reigning champion Pedro Cardoso (Peugeot) rising to third ahead of Fabián Yannatuoni (Lynk & Co).
The track went green again on lap three. Piquet Jr. overtook Peugeot driver Luis Ramírez for fifth position at the restart. The Brazilian would soon be on Yannatuoni’s tail, attacking for fourth place on lap four. But the Lynk & Co driver instead overtook Cardoso for third place on lap five.
Maria Nienkötter (Toyota) went off the track and got stuck in the gravel trap on lap five, with Enzo Gianfratti (Honda) following suit at the same spot on the following lap, with the safety car coming into action for a second time.
The race was relaunched on lap eight, with the positions remaining stable at the restart. Piquet Jr. started his attack on Cardoso on lap nine and the two made contact, with the Brazilian going wide and lost several positions. The Honda driver would retire to the pits at the end of the same lap.
Yannantuoni lost third place to Cardoso on lap ten, as his team-mate Santino Balerini (Toyota) spun off the track and was stuck in the gravel trap.
Further back, Pezzini and Rasetto made contact, with the Cupra driver losing places to Rasetto and Mariano Pernía.
The battles continued, with Rasetto losing out after further contact, allowing Rosso and Exequiel Bastidas (Audi) to go through.
Yannantuoni overtook Cardoso to recover third place on lap twelve.
Leonel Pernía won as the chequered flag fell, with Reis and Yannantuoni completing the podium. Cardoso finished fourth, followed by Ramírez and Pezzini.
Mariano Pernía crossed the line in seventh place, ahead of Rosso and Bastidas, with Rasetto completing the top ten.
“I’m glad to have won, as these races are very difficult,” said Pernía after the race. “Fabián was very quick and competitive, so I’m very thankful to my team and sponsors who support me with this project.”
Pernía leads the championship with 198 points, 27 ahead of Cardoso and 78 over Reis.
The TCR South America field returns to the track for Race 2 on Sunday afternoon at 12:40 local time, 17:40 CEST.
