IRK IRON1 RND 5 · Race Race⏱ 42 min

The 7 Laghi Kart circuit in Castelletto di Branduzzo (PV) hosted a 41-minute endurance race on 2 August 2026, with a remarkable field of 34 starters on the 1,256-metre layout. The event delivered a tightly fought battle at the front, with the top four entries separated by just over seven seconds after 40 laps.

STEFANELLI FEDERICO (kart #32) took the chequered flag, completing 40 laps and edging out PELLEGRINO NUNZIO (#25) by a slim 0.118 seconds — a margin that reflects how close the fight at the front remained throughout the race. GRANDOLFO MASSIMO (#16) completed the podium at 4.699 seconds, while GRILLI ALESSANDRO (#17) crossed the line fourth, 7.228 seconds off the lead. Each of the top four recorded 2 pit stops.

The fastest lap of the race was set by PIAZZOLI KEVIN (#26) with a time of 1:02.431, though he ultimately finished fifth, 7.296 seconds from the winner. The top 31 classified finishers all completed 40 laps, underlining the competitive density of the field. OLIVERI GABRIEL (#23) ended 32nd one lap down, BRANDOLINI DANIELE (#1) classified 33rd two laps behind after making 3 pit stops, and FILIPPONE RICCARDO (#10) did not record a classified result.

Pace analysis: STEFANELLI FEDERICO not only won on the road but also posted the best median race pace of the field at 1:03.192 (1st in pure pace rankings), combining consistency (σ = 0.41 s) with a strong second stint median of 1:02.920. PELLEGRINO NUNZIO was second in pure pace at 1:03.203, though his third short stint showed slightly less regularity (σ = 0.61 s).

GRILLI ALESSANDRO delivered one of the most notable strategic recoveries of the race: ranked only 3rd in pure pace (1:03.302), he progressively lowered his stint medians across all three relays — from 1:04.114 down to 1:03.576, then to 1:03.160 — to secure fourth place at the finish. GRANDOLFO MASSIMO, meanwhile, finished on the podium despite being ranked only 8th in pure pace (1:03.427), making him the clearest strategic overperformer of the day; his three stints were remarkably stable (σ between 0.26 and 0.38 s), earning him the joint distinction of most consistent driver alongside GIACHINO MATTIA and PRIORI RICCARDO (all at σ = 0.36 s).

DONADONI ROBERTO (10th) held the 5th-best median pace at 1:03.352, while GIACHINO MATTIA (9th) ranked 6th in pure pace with exceptional regularity — both drivers leaving points on the table relative to their raw speed. At the other end, MARINELLI FLAVIO (20th at the finish) ranked 13th in pure pace, a signal that factors beyond raw pace cost him positions during the race.

Key takeaways for teams: At 7 Laghi Kart, pure pace alone was not sufficient — GRANDOLFO MASSIMO's podium from 8th in pace ranking illustrates that consistent, stable stints can compensate for a modest median. Conversely, drivers with genuine pace in the top five (GIACHINO, DONADONI) need to translate that speed into better net results. The extremely tight top-four battle (under 8 seconds across 40 laps) confirms that pit stop execution and regularity management are decisive differentiators on this 1,256-metre circuit.