Photo: TCR South America

Leonel Pernía claims TCR South America title in chaotic Cuiabá night races

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Honda YPF Racing driver Leonel Pernía claimed the 2025 TCR South America title following two chaotic night races at Cuiabá in Brazil.

The first race was started behind the safety car due to very wet conditions, with Leonel Pernía heading the pack as the field was released.

Team-mate Nelson Piquet was the only driver able to challenge Leonel Pernía for the title and the former F1 driver started at the back of the field due to an engine change.

But Piquet Jr made strong progress and fought his way up through the order, passing Cupra driver Enzo Gianfratti for second place right at the end of the race.

Leonel Pernía won the race by just over three seconds ahead of Piquet while Gianfratti claimed his best result of the season in third.

W2 Pro GP driver Raphael Reis finished fourt ahead of Tiago Pernia.

The second race was held in drying conditions with the field running on slicks.

Peugeot driver Genaro Rasetto took the start as he made a severe jump start well before the lights went out and received a drive through penalty.

Rasetto was then hit by Raphael Reis on the first lap as the Cupra driver braked too late and took out Tiago Pernia as well in the process, handing the lead to Lynk & Co driver Juan Angel Rosso.

The incident brought the safety car out on track.

There were several lead changes as the race resumed, with Piquet Jr holding the led as the safety car was called once again with just over two minutes left of the race.

This time it was the newly crowned champion Leonel Pernia who made a mistake and spun off, getting stuck in the wet grass.

The race resumed with just one lap left as chaos ensued on track.

Gianfratti went straight into the side of Mariano Pernia while fighting for fifth place, sending them both sliding across the gravel trap.

Rosso made a mistake on his own at the same corner while in second place, dropping him down to finish eighth.

Piquet Jr won the race with a slim margin ahead of Leonardo Reis as Fabian Yannantuoni of Paladini Racing claimed the final podium spot.

Rasetto came home in fourth ahead of Gianfratti and Mariano Pernia.

Leonel Pernia was classified in tenth place, four laps down after his mistake, scoring enough points to secure the title.