Alex Irlando takes his first KZ podium in Wackersdorf

Alex Irlando in Wackersdorf confirms the expectations and takes home a solid P3 in a weekend complicated by the wheather. At his first time in wet condition with the BirelART chassis, the Apulian doesn't lose the concentration and manages to stay in the top positions.

Alex starts the weekend with the third chrono on Friday in dry conditions. The wheather changes completely on Saturday: it becomes stormy and very cold. Alex didn't have experience with this chassis under heavy rain, but he limits the damages grabbing a P4 and a P6 in the two heats.

On Sunday the wheather seems to be better and he takes a P3 in the last heat in dry conditions, but something was going to happen: right before the big final in the afternoon, it starts a light snowfall. The panic starts spreading among drivers and mechanics... Luckily it stops before the installation laps.

Alex was sitting on P4 and right after the start he is able to overtake Matteo Viganò on the outside line at the first hairpin. The pace is really good and during the second lap, Alex gets the better of Jorrit Pex and starts chasing the leader, and his former teammate, Anthony Abbasse. Alex gives his best and something more: after a few laps behind the KZ vice-World Champion, the BirelART stand bearer makes a little mistake in the third sector and Viganò grabs the opportunity to overtake him in the next hairpin. The lap-counter goes on, but the first laps behind Anthony ruined his tyres and he is not able to attack the leading duo.

“It has been a really difficult and, at the same time, satisfying weekend! I can really express myself at the very best on this track. The wheather conditions made it difficult, but I found myself at my ease in wet conditions, despite the fact that it was my first time with this material. The pace in the final was really fast and I'm sorry for that mistake on lap 10, but it happens when you're pushing harder and harder lap after lap. Overall I'm really happy and we can approach the second and last round in Sarno with a really positive mood! I'd like to thank my technical partners, BirelART and TM, and my family for the support they gave me during the whole weekend.”

Here are the results of the weekend.

Alex will return on OK karts in Genk, Belgium, on May 17th-19th for the second round of the FIA Karting OK European Championship.