Cortez scores rare three-peat in karting series

MANILA, Philippines - Formula-E Racing new recruit Larco Cortez scored a rare three-peat as he swept the Formula Cadet Novice division to firm up his hold of the overall lead in the Coca-Cola Karting Super Series at the Boomland Kart Trak in Pasay City recently.

Cortez humbled the elite field with his consistency, aggressiveness and determination, dishing out a solid outing on the long, wide technical course at the Batangas Racing Circuit and holding his ground at the short but narrow and tough Boomland tracks.

The 11-year-old swept the qualifying heat and the pre-final and final races to capture the Formula Cadet Novice crown, beating other Expert drivers in the combined races.

Cortez actually checked in third overall behind Formula Cadet Expert champion Eduardo Coseteng and runner-up Bianca Bustamante, completing the 16-lap final race in eight minutes, 59.914 seconds. He also posted the second fastest laptime of 33.808 seconds, nearly matching Coseteng’s best time of 33.805.

Formula-E Racing Management chief Elson Carpio said Cortez’s Boomland feat is far better than his performance in Batangas, adding that his new protégé is not just a talented fast learner but a dedicated future champion.

“This is the reason why Cortez is considered the most promising young discovery. Each leg, he keeps showing something new that’s beyond his current competitive level.  I don’t know if it’s an advantage or disadvantage to mature early in his career, but the attitude and character he’s been showing makes him a big champion material in two or three years,” said Carpio.

Cortez turned in the fourth best time of 34.092 seconds in the 10-man Expert-Novice combined field. He also finished fifth overall in the qualifying heat with a best laptime of 33.816 seconds and jumped to third overall in the pre-finals.