Maite Cáceres claims victory, two second places, two fastest laps in Formula FARA

Uruguayan racer Maite Cáceres claimed her first victory in the Formula FARA Championship after a remarkable weekend that featured one win, two second-place finishes, and two fastest laps across three fiercely contested races at Homestead Miami Speedway.

Photo courtesy: Maite Caceres

Uruguayan racer Maite Cáceres claimed her first victory in the Formula FARA Championship after a remarkable weekend that featured one win, two second-place finishes, and two fastest laps across three fiercely contested races at Homestead Miami Speedway.

The event marked a last minute addition to Cáceres’ schedule as she continues preparations for her upcoming full-time campaign in the Toyota GR Cup North America with RAFA Racing Team. Returning to single-seater machinery for additional race mileage, the Uruguayan joined the grid with Olivia Racing, using the weekend as both competitive preparation and valuable track time ahead of her transition to Toyota GR86 machinery.

Having already returned to Formula FARA competition earlier in the year at the same venue, albeit on a different circuit layout, Cáceres had immediately demonstrated strong pace with a podium finish. Back at Homestead using the configuration incorporating the faster final section of the oval banking, she once again proved competitive from the outset.

Cáceres wasted no time during the 15-minute qualifying session: she became the first driver to break the 1:27 barrier, briefly holding provisional pole position as lap times rapidly improved. Championship rival Cam Becker ultimately set the benchmark with a 1:25.7, but Cáceres continued to find pace, progressively lowering her times. Her final improvement, a 1:25.923, placed her just two tenths shy of pole, securing a front-row start and showcasing her speed to fight at the front throughout the weekend.

Photo courtesy: Maite Caceres

Saturday’s opening race began cleanly, with Becker leading while Cáceres comfortably retained second place through the opening laps. The pair immediately broke clear of the field, establishing a gap of more than three seconds as they traded fastest laps.

Running consistently within tenths of the leader, Cáceres increased the pressure midway through the race. She posted the fastest lap in 1:25.758 before improving again with a 1:25.714, closing the gap to just a tenth of a second.

A dramatic duel unfolded in the closing stages: using strong exits from the banking section, Cáceres drew alongside Becker multiple times, including a side-by-side run into Turn 1 on lap nine. The battle intensified on the final lap with several switchbacks between the two leaders, but despite a final attack, Becker's car pulled clear on top speed and Maite crossed the line just 0.071 seconds behind, securing second place after one of the closest finishes of the weekend.

Sunday morning’s second race again placed Cáceres on the front row, alongside Becker. With regulations limiting drivers to two sets of new tyres, the Uruguayan opted for an alternative strategy compared to her rival, who could bolt on the fresher tyre.

After a clean start despite incidents further down the order, Cáceres focused on maintaining pressure at the front while building a margin over the chasing pack. Consistent laps in the low 1:26 range allowed her to distance herself from Enzo Vidmontiene and Medeuiro, who battled behind for third.

Although Becker managed to edge slightly clear making use of the fresher set of tyres, Cáceres remained consistent, dipping into the 1:25s late in the race while extending her advantage over third place to an impressive 16 seconds. She ultimately secured a second consecutive runner-up finish, reinforcing her front-running form.

Photo courtesy: Maite Caceres

The final race of the Formula FARA Miami Grand Prix weekend again saw Becker and Cáceres share the front row. After a cautious opening lap, Cáceres studied her rival closely, remaining tucked into the slipstream as the leading duo once again pulled away from the rest of the field.

Setting a new fastest lap early in the race, she launched her decisive move by drafting out of the banking and overtaking for the lead into Turn 1, in her first time leading all weekend.

An intense multi-lap battle followed. Becker repeatedly challenged, reclaiming the lead briefly before Cáceres executed clean defensive driving and switchback maneuvers to stay in contention. The pair ran side by side on several occasions, opening a significant gap over the rest of the field as they fought for victory.

In the thrilling closing laps Becker appeared to have secured the win, holding a small advantage that prevented a final attack. However, a post-race ten-second penalty for Becker reshuffled the results, promoting Cáceres to victory and awarding the Uruguayan her maiden Formula FARA triumph.

The victory, secured on International Women's Day, marked Cáceres’ first win in single-seaters and highlighted her continued competitivness in Formula 4 machinery, having also previously secured multiple podiums in the Formula FARA and a third place in the overall standings in the Ligier Junior Formula Championship in 2024, with five podiums to her name.

With one win, two second places, and two fastest laps, Cáceres leaves Homestead with strong momentum just days before beginning her Toyota GR Cup North America campaign at the Arlington street circuit, where she aims to carry this confidence into the next chapter of her sports car career.