Schumacher wins Desafio 2009 after Massa victory in second heat
Felipe Massa beat Michael Schumacher in race two
Michael Schumacher won the Desafio Internacional das Estrelas kart race for the second time in three years by finishing second in today’s second heat.
Schumacher won the first race in Florianopolis yesterday and came in second today behind his former team mate – and event organiser – Felipe Massa.
Schumacher worked his way up from eighth on the grid, passing Rubens Barrichello and Indy Car racer Vitor Meira before catching Massa.
Massa and Schumacher spent the final two laps nose-to-tail but Schumacher either couldn’t find a way past or decided he didn’t want to deprive Massa of a home win.
Second place was enough to secure the victory for Schumacher. Vitantonio Liuzzi, who finished second yesterday, ended today’s race 11th after contact with Massa and a heavier collision with Lucas di Grassi.
Video from the races and full points standings below.
Desafio Internacionaldas das Estrelas 2009 pictures
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- Rubens Barrichello, Desafio Internacional das Estrelas 2009
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- Michael Schumacher wins race one, Desafio Internacional das Estrelas 2009
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- Felipe Massa wins race two, Desafio Internacional das Estrelas 2009
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- Vitantonio Liuzzi, Desafio Internacional das Estrelas 2009
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- Race two start, Desafio Internacional das Estrelas 2009
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- Michael Schumacher, Desafio Internacional das Estrelas 2009
See Leandro Carlo’s photo stream on Flickr for more great pictures.
Desafio Internacional das Estrelas 2009 video
Race one
Piquet (white kart, orange helmet) motored off into the lead from the rolling start. Meanwhile Schumacher (Italian flag kart, red helmet) – who looked very racy on the warm-up lap – got held up by Pizzonia at the start and fell from sixth to eighth.
Liuzzi (Force India-coloured kart) passed Meira at the start of lap two to take second. Piquet had built a lead of more than a second, but Liuzzi gradually cut into it, bringing the chasing pack along with him including Schumacher, who worked his way up to fourth.
Meira re-passed Liuzzi as the Italian tried to go around the outside of Piquet. The Indy Car driver then took Piquet for lead, and the former Renault driver began tumbling down the order. As he dropped back a three-way battle for the lead between Meira, Liuzzi and Schumacher developed.
The tight battle for the lead was resolved when Liuzzi made to pass Meira but their pair collided, allowing Schumacher through.
At the end of the race Liuzzi finally got past Meira for second. Massa and di Grassi also got through demoting Meira to fifth.
Desafio Internacional das Estrelas 2009 results
| Driver | Total | Race 1 | Race 2 | |
| 1 | Michael Schumacher | 42 | 25 | 17 |
| 2 | Felipe Massa | 36 | 16 | 20 |
| 3 | Vitor Meira | 26 | 11 | 15 |
| 4 | Vitantonio Liuzzi | 25 | 20 | 5 |
| 5 | Rubens Barrichello | 23 | 10 | 13 |
| 6 | Tony Kanaan | 19 | 9 | 10 |
| 7 | Lucas Di Grassi | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 8 | Marcos Gomes | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 9 | Max Wilson | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 10 | Antonio Pizzonia | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 10 | Christian Fittipaldi | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 12 | Nelsinho Piquet | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 12 | Enrique Bernoldi | 7 | 3 | 4 |
| 12 | Raphael Mattos | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 15 | Duda Pamplona | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 15 | Bia Figueiredo | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 17 | Ricardo Zonta | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 18 | Tarso Marques | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 18 | João Paulo Oliveira | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| 20 | Mario Moraes | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 20 | Xandinho Negrão | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 22 | Luciano Burti | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 23 | Popó Bueno | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | Felipe Giaffone | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | Eduardo Berlanda | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Desafio Internacional das Estrelas
- Schumacher and 11 other F1 drivers join Massa’s kart race this weekend
- Rubens Barrichello wins International Challenge of Kart Champs 2008 in Brazil
Images (C) Leandro Claro
Katy said on 29th November 2009, 13:49
I didn’t see much of yesterday’s race, but today’s was really good! F1 drivers (and from other racing series) should do kart races more often :)
Giuliano Vilela said on 29th November 2009, 13:58
Yeah, it seemed like a lot of fun. Good for Felipe and Schumi. Barrichello was in good shape at the beginning but his kart wasn’t as good during the race.
Looks like next year will be even better. It was announced that Alonso was already invited by Massa. Hope more drivers follow him :D
Guilherme Teixeira said on 29th November 2009, 14:07
Great racing, and I’m glad with the result.
Schumi’s driving style was unique among all others, really pleasant to watch.
—
And Keith, I don’t want to be a nitpicker, but it is Desafio Internacional, not Internacionale =P
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 29th November 2009, 15:40
Sorry, not my native language! Have fixed it, thanks.
Daniel said on 29th November 2009, 14:51
Schumacher only had one real opportunity to pass, with two or three laps to go, but Massa closed the door at the end of the start-finish straight. Great race!
Great track layout, Lucas di Grassi was really inspired and should give Hermann Tilke a couple of lessons :)
David Bénard said on 29th November 2009, 16:20
Great report and pics !
Bud said on 29th November 2009, 16:27
Is he match fit?
Bud said on 29th November 2009, 16:28
Is he match fit?
Thanks Keith and happy hols….dare I say Christmas
Patrickl said on 29th November 2009, 17:27
How characteristic that Piquet spins off …
Elliott said on 29th November 2009, 17:28
People comment on Button’s driving style, but Michael Schumacher is the real master of smooth, calculated driving. I miss watching him race, he seems so calm and calculated.
Dave said on 29th November 2009, 19:05
I loved the first race. Anyone notice the Santander logo on Massa overalls.. 2010 Ferrari overalls maybe ?
Alex` said on 29th November 2009, 19:08
Oh my god, these plastic kart support are so ugly :/
Becken said on 29th November 2009, 20:27
Second and first heats HERE
Becken said on 29th November 2009, 20:27
…in video!
steph said on 29th November 2009, 20:57
My personal favourite picture of the event
http://tazio.uol.com.br/kart/textos/15285/imagens/11214/
wasiF1 said on 30th November 2009, 0:56
Great report with picture,I agree with many now as they have nothing to do for 2 months they should do some karting which will help them to keep themselves in racing mood,good for the spectator & will encourage young people to start karting & begin there career in motor racing.
Congratulation to Schumacher & Massa.
Kayser said on 30th November 2009, 2:35
this was more exciting to watch than F1.