Leonel Pernia claims Cuiabá pole as Race 1 is rescheduled due to a storm

Leonel Pernia took one step closer to the 2025 TCR South America title as he claimed pole position at Cuiabá in Brazil, while severe weather forced the first race to be rescheduled.

The Honda YPF Racing driver claimed pole position with a lap time of 1:50.882, beating team-mate Nelson Piquet Jr by 0.254 seconds.

The Cupra rivls of Enzo Gianfratti (G Racing Motorsport) and Leonardo Reis (W2 Pro GP) claimed positions three and four, 0.649 and 0.746 seconds from pole respectively.

Paladini Racing driver Fabian Yannantuoni put his Lynk & Co 03 TCR in fifth place on the grid ahead of Cupra driver Rapahel Reis.

It was a decimated TCR South America field that took to the new track in Brazil with just 14 cars. One of the drivers missing is title contender and reigning champion Pedro Cardoso who misses this race weekend due to “logistical issues”.

The first race of the weekend was scheduled for 21:00 local time but was cancelled due to an intense lightning storm and will be rescheduled for 15:20 local time/11:20 CET on Saturday.