Thrilling Finale at the Nelson Piquet International Autodrome: The Endurance Brasil Championship

The Nelson Piquet International Autodrome in Brasília was alive with the roar of engines as it hosted one of the most intense and captivating finales in the recent history of the Endurance Brasil series on Saturday, April 6. The atmosphere was charged with excitement, reminiscent of a blockbuster film, featuring unexpected mechanical issues, daring strategies, and nail-biting moments that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. Among the standout performers were Gaetano Di Mauro and Arthur Pavie, who clinched the overall championship and the P1 class title for 2025 alongside their stage partner, Gabriel Koenigkan, representing BTZ Motorsport. However, the top podium finish went to the well-established duo of Pedro Queirolo and David Muffato, who skillfully piloted the AJR #35 from TMG Racing to victory through a combination of calm decision-making and nearly flawless strategy.

Title Decided Through Bravery and Tenacity

The race took a dramatic turn when the #117 car appeared to be in complete control. Starting from the front row and maintaining a steady pace, the BTZ trio seemed set to secure Gaetano’s second consecutive championship and Pavie’s first. However, the final pit stop became a pivotal moment that altered the course of the race—and the championship.

As Di Mauro tried to exit the pits to continue his fight, he found the exit blocked, resulting in a lost lap and a plummet to seventh place in the P1 category. Under normal circumstances, there would have been ample time to recover. But this was no ordinary race. Upon re-entering the track, Di Mauro faced a worsening clutch problem that made every lap increasingly challenging. The situation became even more dire as the Ligier #42, driven by Lucas Foresti, Victor Foresti, and Rafa Martins, was closing in. They were tied on points with the #117 and would snatch the title based on the number of victories if they remained on the same lap.

This unexpected twist led to a remarkable chapter in the race that will surely be remembered for years to come. "This was one of the toughest titles I’ve ever earned," Gaetano recalled. "I completed two stints with the clutch slipping significantly. On the final lap, I would tap the accelerator, and the car would slip. I had to minimize my throttle application."

In a stroke of both improvisation and genius, the team came up with a makeshift solution that quickly became a humorous anecdote in the paddock: "During pit stops, we used soda mixed with sugar on the clutch to see if it would enhance grip, creating some sort of sludge to help us keep accelerating." Yes, sugary soda was the secret ingredient that kept the car—and the championship—alive.

Di Mauro ultimately crossed the finish line in sixth place overall, but it was enough for the team to secure the title. Despite being three laps down, the victory was bittersweet and exhilarating.

Victory Through Surgical Strategy

While the BTZ team fought their own battles, Queirolo and Muffato were engaged in a different narrative altogether. Without any mechanical issues and showcasing a steady rhythm, TMG Racing executed an aggressive strategy right from the start. A well-timed splash and go under the yellow flag, coupled with three early mandatory pit stops, allowed them to navigate a race characterized by multiple Safety Car interventions.

This strategic gamble paid off brilliantly. The AJR #35 took the lead in the early stages of the race and, although they made another pit stop near the end to ensure they had enough fuel to finish, they never lost control of the race. "We came off three races with car problems. The team worked through the night, dismantling the fuel tank, and today it all worked perfectly. We executed a flawless strategy," Queirolo stated. "I had a great stint, and David had an excellent one as well."

This race was a testament to perseverance and the experience of one of Brazil’s most enduring duos in the endurance racing scene.

Celebrating the Prototype Class: Legends Crowned

The race also marked a special achievement for the Ligier #22 from GForce Autosport. Flávio Abrunhoza, alongside André Moraes Jr. and Daniel Lancaster, secured the Legends Trophy, aimed at Bronze drivers aged 55 and over. "It’s not easy to drive a prototype coming from GT4, especially with Victor [Foresti] as a competitor. Consistency was key to securing the title,” Abrunhoza celebrated.

Victorious Debuts in GT3 and GT4

Although the GT3 and GT4 categories had already crowned their champions prior to the Brasília event, the audience was treated to exciting and unexpected victories in both divisions, accompanied by fascinating backstories.

In the GT3 class, the win went to Enzo Elias and brothers André and Miguel Rosário, who began their race in the most challenging way possible: an early misstep that nearly stranded their Mercedes AMG GT3 #8 and triggered the first yellow flag. However, their comeback was nothing short of spectacular. "We saw significant progress throughout the season. This win is a culmination of work that began at the start of the year," André Rosário remarked. The victory not only placed the trio on the map in their category but also reaffirmed the strength of Scuderia Chiarelli heading into the championship’s final stretch.

In GT4, the narrative was even more astonishing. The Porsche #718, which triumphed in Santa Cruz do Sul, once again claimed victory, but this time with an entirely different trio of drivers. Luiz Souza, Bruno Bonifácio, and Vitor Baptista decided to race together just 48 hours before the event—and they emerged victorious. "We hadn’t even planned to race together; I was only coming as a strategist. Our partnership has been successful off the track, and now it’s proven to be successful on it as well," Baptista shared.

Looking Ahead to 2026

With the conclusion of the season, the APE is already setting its sights on the future. The Endurance Brasil 2026 is set to kick off once again in Brasília on April 11, featuring eight stages, one of which will follow a double-header format. The grand finale is scheduled for November 21 in Goiânia. This robust calendar is designed for a category that is currently in a phase of expansion and has just delivered one of the most memorable finales in recent years.

Final Results – Four Hours of Brasília

Overall Classification