SCCA Pro Racing

The Brazilian driver showed a lot of speed in the fourth round of the season and scored 42 points during the weekend

The dispute of the fourth round of Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda in Mid-Ohio was very positive for the Brazilian Guilherme Peixoto (DEForce Racing). The driver joined the podium for the first time in his single-seaters career, only half way through his first season. Gui Peixoto secured the pole position and achieved two third places in the triple round.

The round, which was part of NASCAR's programming at the Mid-Ohio circuit, began with free practices on Thursday (Aug. 8) of which Gui Peixoto immediately showed up among the fastest. The Brazilian confirmed the good performance during Friday's (9) qualifying practices with the conquest of his first pole position in the series, when he registered the time of 1: 27.554.

Starting from the 1st place in race 10, Gui opted to strategically race with the tires he used in qualifying, leaving the new set of tires for race 2. The Brazilian expected a race with some yellow flags, which would reduce the driver's disadvantage to the competitors coming from behind on new tires. The race, however, was all in green flag and Peixoto finished fourth.

In Race 11, still on Friday, the driver started from the third place and quickly took over the second position, but lost the second spot after a couple of laps of tough racing between the top three, with the multiples yellow flags towards the end, Gui did not have time to fight and climb more positions. Third place, however, was very much celebrated by the driver, who took the podium for the first time.

On Saturday (10), the 22 drivers returned to the track for the last race of the weekend. And once again, the race was marked by yellow flags. Gui Peixoto started second and scored another podium, finishing third.

The good results came to crown the Brazilian's positive evolution in the category. Gui has scored points in 11 of 12 races so far. At Mid-Ohio, Gui was the second top scorer, taking 42 out of the 75 available points during the weekend. With the result, the Brazilian also climbed the overall standings and is now the sixth place in the championship, with 79 points, holding his position as second best rookie.

“The round was very good. We were quick in every practice, always driving among the top three and I could finally get my first pole position. I can say it was almost the perfect lap, so we were very pleased with our qualifying. The car was perfect and the whole team did a great job”, said 16-year-old Gui Peixoto.

“On the first race of the weekend, we tried a different strategy, because most drivers usually start with new tires. This time, as I was starting from the first position, I went with the qualifying tires. We expected a lot of yellow flags during the race, as it’s usually the most yellow flagged race, but in the end we didn't have any. We risked and got fourth”, explained.

“On the second race, I started in third, with new tires and was very fast. But the race yellow flags and for that reason I didn't have the expected opportunities to overtake. We faced the same scenario in Race 3 on Saturday. I was faster than both cars in front, but I didn't have a chance to overtake them with such a short green flagged race”, continued the young driver.

“But overall it was a very good weekend. We still had some difficulties, we need to improve some points. I had the opportunity to drive in first, so the experience of leading the race will be taken to the next round in the right way to fight for our first victory”, added Gui Peixoto.

The fifth round of the season will take place on September 13, 14 and 15 at Sebring.

For more information on Gui Peixoto or information on to become part of his motorsports program, please contact XYZ Talents Daniel Rodrigues via email to daniel.rodrigues@xyztalents.com or visit Gui Peixoto via his social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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