Kaká Magno makes return to Stock Light with P13 in Interlagos
- RACERS
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Kaká Magno began her 2026 campaign in the Stock Light Championship with a hard-fought performance at the season opener at Interlagos, overcoming early setbacks to a P13 finish as best of the weekend.
Kaká Magno began her 2026 campaign in the Stock Light Championship with a hard-fought performance at the season opener at Interlagos, overcoming early setbacks to secure consistent finishes across a demanding triple-header weekend.
Entering her fourth season in the category, Magno arrived with renewed motivation after joining W2 Racing ProGP, one of the most competitive teams in the Brazilian paddock. With over 17 years of racing experience and a career in the sport, including a formative season competing in Italy, the Curitiba-born driver targeted a step forward in results.
The first race of the weekend, a 25-minute sprint, proved challenging from the outset for the only woman on the grid. A technical issue prevented Magno from taking the start from the grid, forcing her to begin the race from the pit lane and effectively almost one lap down.
Despite the setback, she focused on gaining valuable track time and building rhythm. Lapping consistently in the 1:47 range, she began to climb the order as several competitors encountered issues, and capitalized on pit stops and problems for Bastos, Sangalli, and Fahs to move up to P16 by lap 8.
Her pace steadily improved, dipping into a 1:46.3 personal best as she grew in confidence.
With eight minutes remaining, Magno suffered a spin at Turn 1, but crucially avoided damage and rejoined the race. Maintaining composure, she continued to push, benefitting from further incidents ahead, including a drive-through penalty for Annunziata. By lap 14, she was lapping quicker than Moura ahead, despite a significant gap.
Late-race drama saw both Falquete and Moura run into trouble, allowing Magno to climb further up the order. She ultimately crossed the line in P13, completing an impressive recovery drive given her difficult start.
Race 2 on Sunday afternoon offered a fresh opportunity, with Magno lining up P14 on the grid. A strong launch on the outside line saw her immediately gain positions, moving up as Rufino and Nienkotter encountered issues. She then found herself leading a tightly packed group, defending from Bastos and Annunziata while executing a great move around the outside at Turn 2 to overtake Bastos.
Although she later lost positions as the pair fought back, dropping to P19, Magno maintained solid pace in the 1:45 range and remained within striking distance of the cars ahead.
As the race progressed, she regained ground, passing Nienkotter and capitalising on issues for Filho to climb back to P17 by lap 9. In the closing stages, she continued to drive a clean race, avoiding unnecessary risks.
A final-lap incident between Paparelli and Berlanda briefly opened the door for further gains, though Nienkotter reclaimed a position before the flag. Magno nonetheless secured P17, in another solid result in a tightly contested field.
The third and final race of the weekend took place shortly after, under challenging conditions as the sun began to set over Interlagos. Starting from P16, the race initially got underway behind the safety car before going green with 22 minutes remaining. Magno was forced into evasive action at Turn 1, taking to the run-off area to avoid contact, which dropped her down the order. She quickly recovered to P17 and began working her way forward once more.
She overtook Moura and benefitted from a series of incidents and retirements, including contact between Schotten and Sangalli and a puncture for Falquete. By lap 6 she was up to P15, and continued her progress by passing Bastos to reach P13, building a comfortable margin to the cars behind in the final minutes. However, late drama struck again on the final lap, when an issue at Turn 1 forced her off track, dropping her to P14 by the chequered flag.
Despite the setbacks across all three races, Magno’s opening weekend showcased her determination to bounce back from adversities; consistently gaining places from her starting positions, Kaká Magno leaves Interlagos with valuable mileage as the championship heads to Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna for the next round on 15–17 May, where she will aim to achieve even stronger results.