RESILIENCE DEFINES DUDU SALAMONDE’S WEEKEND IN VALENCIA AT THE CHAMPIONS OF THE FUTURE

Brazilian driver faces challenges in Spain, shows strong recovery pace and remains motivated for the next round of the European Karting Championship

The Valencia circuit in Spain hosted the second round of the 2026 Champions of the Future, bringing together some of the top names in world karting on one of the most technical layouts of the calendar. Representing Brazil, São Paulo’s Dudu Salamonde (Minardi Management powered by DAG / EXA Tecnologia / Vero Coco / DKR / RL Eng. Design / Casa Barô / SOMA Blindados / Team: Parolin Racing / Coach: Gianluca Beggio) took on the challenge at the Kartódromo Lucas Guerrero, competing in the OK category.

Throughout the weekend, Dudu shared the track with 87 other drivers in his category, all fighting for a spot in the event’s final phase. In an extremely competitive and balanced grid, every detail proved crucial, demanding not only technical performance but also strong mental control and the ability to adapt to adverse situations.

Even before the racing action began, Salamonde showed confidence following his practice sessions at the Spanish circuit. Comfortable with the layout and pleased with his initial pace, the driver highlighted the positive atmosphere within the team. “I’m coming in with really good expectations. The practice sessions were great, I felt comfortable on track, so I think we can fight well throughout the weekend,” he said.

In qualifying, the Brazilian clocked a time of 53.575 seconds, securing his position in Group E of the OK category. The lap demonstrated consistency against a large and competitive field, keeping him in contention for solid positions in the qualifying heats.

The first qualifying heat brought encouraging signs. In an 11-lap race around the Lucas Guerrero circuit, Dudu showed aggression and strong racecraft, gaining four positions over the course of the heat. The performance reinforced his potential to move forward throughout the event.

However, the second heat brought a decisive and unexpected setback. While recovering positions, Salamonde was caught out by a rival spinning ahead of him. With no room or time to react, the Brazilian was involved in the incident and was forced to retire, compromising his chances for the remainder of the weekend.

Following the impact of that result, the team had to react quickly. In the next two qualifying heats, Dudu returned to the track with a revised kart setup, aiming to regain balance and competitiveness. Despite the efforts, both races proved challenging, and he finished towards the back of the field.

Despite the difficulties, Salamonde refused to give up. In the final heat, he delivered one of the standout recovery drives of the weekend. With determination and consistent pace, he executed ten overtakes, crossing the finish line in 16th place — an impressive result, although not enough to secure a spot in the qualifying positions for the final phase.

After the races, the driver reflected on his performance and highlighted the lessons learned. “It was a shame about the crash in the second heat. From that point on, we had to change quite a lot on the kart and it became more difficult. I only really managed to recover in the last heat, but it was a very important learning experience for the European Championship,” Salamonde evaluated.

Although he did not secure a place in the final phase, the overall outcome of the weekend is seen positively by the team. The experience gained under challenging conditions contributes to Dudu Salamonde’s development, as he continues to evolve in one of the most competitive environments in international karting.

Dudu remains in Valencia, where he has already begun preparations for the second round of the European Karting Championship. On-track activities at the Kartódromo Lucas Guerrero begin next Thursday (7), and the Brazilian arrives even more motivated to turn recent challenges into stronger performances as the season progresses.

 

Press Office:  Kako Marques / KMCom