Photo: TCR South America

Tiago Pernía sails to victory at Curvelo

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Tiago Pernía achieved a lights-to-flag victory in Race 1 at Curvelo, host of the seventh round of the 2025 TCR South America season.

Tiago Pernía took the lead at the start ahead of Raphael Reis and Nelson Piquet Jr., as Fabián Yannantuoni was stuck on the grid, having to retire from the race. Pedro Cardoso also failed to start.

The positions remained stable, with Mariano Pernía retiring to the pits on lap nine.

Raphael Reis attacked Tiago Pernía for the lead at Turn 1 on lap 10, with the pair colliding and Piquet Jr. taking advantage of the situation to take the lead, followed by Tiago Pernía and Reis, with Leonel Pernía also close to the group, followed by Genaro Rasetto and Juan Ángel Rosso.

Tiago Pernía reclaimed the lead on lap eleven, as Maria Nienkotter stopped on the track, causing a stationary yellow flag.

Leonel Pernía suffered cooling issues in his Honda, as the Argentinean moved out of Reis’ slipstream in the straights, despite not being close enough to attempt an overtaking manoeuvre.

Piquet Jr. increased the heat on his team-mate on the penultimate lap, with the Brazilian looking for a move towards the race lead.

Tiago Pernía won at the chequered flag by a very slim margin over Piquet Jr., with Raphael Reis completing the podium.

Leonel Pernía was fourth, followed by Rasetto and Rosso. Leonardo Reis finished seventh in his series debut, with Enzo Gianfratti right behind. Celso Neto and Adrian Chiriano completed the top ten.

“I’m very happy, we did a good start and the car responded very well,” said Tiago Pernía after the race. “Raphael Reis came very strong at the beginning and then Nelsinho, so we had to fight but did a good race.”

Leonel Pernía leads the championship after Race 1 at Curvelo with 438 points, 101 ahead of team-mate Piquet Jr., 116 over Cardoso and with Raphael Reis 127 points adrift.

The TCR South America field returns to the track at 14:10 local time (19:10 CEST) for Race 2.