Vicente Capela Secures Second Place in Braga and Moves Closer to Rotax Title Defense

Braga (POR), July 27, 2025

The International Karting Circuit of Braga hosted another thrilling round of the 2025 Portuguese Rotax Championship — the fourth of the season. Vicente Capela (Sponsor: Interkrarn / Team: Junior Racing Team / Driver Coach-Mechanic: Diogo Pinto / Chassis: FA), the reigning Rotax Portuguese Champion, took another significant step toward back-to-back titles by finishing second on the Mini Max podium. The driver of kart #211 showcased consistent pace and racecraft throughout the weekend, bringing him even closer to repeating his 2024 triumph.

Thanks to his strong performance in Braga, Capela no longer needs to win all the races in the next round at Bombarral to secure the title. With favorable championship math, the Portuguese driver now holds a comfortable advantage heading into the final stretch of the season — a reflection of the solid work delivered throughout the year.

Saturday's (July 26) free practice sessions served as preparation for Qualifying, which set the grid for the first decisive race. Capela clocked a lap time of 57.472 seconds, just one-tenth off pole position, earning him a front-row start for Final 1.

In Saturday’s race, Capela made a flawless start and, by lap three, took the lead with a spectacular overtake around the outside at the famous “Curva do Bar.” Not only did he set the fastest lap of the race, but he also maintained the lead until lap nine, when contact with another competitor cost him time and dropped him to seventh overall. He recovered to finish fourth in the Mini Max class after 13 laps.

Sunday’s (July 27) Final 2 gave Capela the chance to bounce back. Starting from fourth on the grid, he once again demonstrated his skill with a strong launch, moving into second by the second lap. Setting the fastest lap again, he soon took the lead and expertly defended it until the checkered flag, taking the win.

Final 3 saw Capela starting from P3, and although he took the early lead, the race was far from straightforward. He was overtaken on lap seven but reclaimed the top spot shortly after. However, a slight mistake in one of the corners caused him to drop to fourth. Showing great determination, he fought back to finish second — once again setting the fastest lap, his third in three races.

Capela scored 138 points over the weekend, tying with the round winner. However, based on tiebreaker criteria, the driver of kart #211 was classified second overall in Braga but retained his lead in the championship standings.

"It was a very tough weekend on track, but I managed to do a solid job. I arrived and left Braga with the same gap to second place. Now, everything will be decided in the final round," said Vicente Capela after the races.

If he secures the title, Capela will once again earn the honor of representing Portugal at the Rotax Grand Finals, which will take place from November 29 to December 6, 2025, at the Bahrain International Karting Circuit. In 2024, he competed in Sarno (ITA), proudly flying the Portuguese flag at the world championship.

"Wherever I go to represent Portugal, it’s always an honor. I was in Sarno last year, and I hope to have that opportunity again this season," Capela added, commenting on the prospect of another international appearance.

In the overall standings of the Portuguese Rotax Championship in the Mini Max class, Vicente Capela now has 581 points, holding a 29-point lead over the second-placed driver. The numbers show he's very close to claiming his second consecutive title, which will be decided in the final round scheduled for September 28–29 at the Bombarral Karting Circuit.


Text by Kako Marques / KMCom Assessoria

Follow Vicente Capela on Instagram:
@vi_capela