On Sunday, July 20, 2025, the Velocitta Circuit in Mogi Guaçu, São Paulo, hosted an electrifying round of the Stock Car Pro Series, marked by intense battles and mechanical twists. Felipe Baptista, driving for Car Racing KTF, emerged as a favorite for victory after leading practice sessions and securing pole position, but an accelerator failure prevented him from starting on the grid, forcing a recovery race that ended in ninth place. The event, featuring 31 SUVs from the category’s new generation, showcased Baptista’s competitiveness and his team’s solid work despite setbacks. Broadcast live on Band, SporTV, and YouTube, it drew thousands of fans to São Paulo’s interior, reinforcing Stock Car’s status as Brazil’s premier motorsport series.
The Velocitta round marked the fourth stage of the 2025 season, the first with new SUV models like the Chevrolet Tracker and Toyota Corolla Cross. Baptista, coming off a dominant weekend, faced challenges that tested his skill and his team’s resilience. The driver, currently fourth in the championship, showed pace and strategy, but the mechanical failure highlighted reliability issues plaguing the season.
- Velocitta stage highlights:
- Nelson Piquet Jr. won the main race, his first victory in 2025.
- Gaetano Di Mauro took the championship lead with 294 points.
- Arthur Leist secured third, reinforcing Crown Racing’s competitiveness.
- Six drivers, including Guilherme Salas, retired due to mechanical failures.
Baptista’s race narrative reflects the balance between talent and adversity, with the Car Racing KTF team showing efficiency in quickly resolving the issue with car #121. The driver’s climb of 22 positions was one of the weekend’s most remarkable moments.
BAITA DIA EM VELOCITTA: teve equipe que debutou sua prateleira de troféus, teve piloto escalando mais de dez colocações no grid, teve de TUDO!!!!
— Stock Car Pro Series (@stock_car) July 20, 2025
Amanhã tem muito mais com nossa corrida principal! pic.twitter.com/r7faRTDaB3
Dominance in practice and qualifying
Felipe Baptista arrived at Velocitta with an impressive performance. On Friday, July 18, he led the second practice session, edging out Átila Abreu by a narrow margin. On Saturday, during qualifying, the Car Racing KTF driver confirmed his speed by securing pole position with a 0.186-second advantage over Abreu, a category veteran. The performance positioned Baptista as a favorite for the main race, boosting team confidence. They had been working tirelessly to adapt the new Chevrolet Tracker to the 3,493-meter circuit’s demands.
The Velocitta track, known for its 14 curves and medium-speed sectors, requires precision and car balance. Baptista praised the team’s synergy, which fine-tuned the vehicle to handle the track’s demands, particularly in braking zones, accounting for 25% of lap time. The pole position, secured with a competitive time, reflected meticulous work during extra practice sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 15 and 16, aimed at testing the new SUVs’ reliability.
Sprint race: climbing the grid
On Saturday, the 30-minute-plus-one-lap sprint race posed an extra challenge for Baptista. Due to the inverted grid, which reverses the top 12 qualifying positions, he started in 12th. Even so, he showcased skill and strategy, climbing the field to finish second. The result foreshadowed car #121’s potential for the main race, with Baptista highlighting his bold start as key to the outcome. The sprint race also tested pit-stop strategies, crucial for Sunday’s main event.
The race saw fierce battles, with drivers like Gaetano Di Mauro and Nelson Piquet Jr. already showing competitiveness. Baptista’s second place boosted his confidence for the main race but underscored the need to avoid mechanical issues, a recurring concern in 2025 with multiple failures in the new SUV models.
Setback in the main race
Sunday promised glory for Felipe Baptista. With pole position secured, he was set to lead the 50-minute-plus-one-lap main race. However, moments before the formation lap, an accelerator failure in car #121 derailed his plans. The vehicle was towed to the pits, forcing Baptista to start from the pitlane, a significant disadvantage on a track where overtaking is challenging due to its narrow layout.
The Car Racing KTF team acted swiftly, restarting the car and resolving the issue, allowing Baptista to rejoin the race. With a strong pace, he recovered positions, finishing ninth. Climbing 22 positions was a notable feat, given the track’s difficulties and the race’s intensity. Baptista praised the team’s work, which kept the car competitive despite the initial setback.
Mechanical issues in the season
Baptista’s accelerator failure was not an isolated incident at Velocitta. The 2025 Stock Car season has been marked by reliability challenges with the new SUV models. At Mogi Guaçu, six drivers, including then-leader Guilherme Salas, retired due to mechanical issues. The introduction of Chevrolet Tracker, Toyota Corolla Cross, and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross models brought innovations, like 500-horsepower turbo engines and a new Audacetech SNG01 tubular chassis, but also exposed weaknesses.
- Season’s technical challenges:
- Turbo engines faced overheating issues on demanding tracks.
- Electronic system failures impacted several teams’ performance.
- A shortage of spare parts led to the postponement of the June stage.
- Extra practice sessions were held to adapt cars to race conditions.
These issues have demanded constant adjustments from teams, with Car Racing KTF standing out for quickly resolving Baptista’s car issue. The 12-round season tests the resilience of drivers and teams in a packed schedule.
Praise for Car Racing KTF team
Despite the setback, Felipe Baptista emphasized the Car Racing KTF team’s work. The team, formed by the merger of KTF Sports and Car Racing, debuted in 2025 with four cars, showcasing ambition and organization. The driver highlighted the team’s ability to deliver a competitive car, even amid the challenges of the new SUV platform. The recovery in the main race, according to Baptista, reflected the “exceptional work” done in the pits.
The synergy between driver and team was evident throughout the weekend. In practice, Car Racing KTF optimized the car for Velocitta’s medium-speed corners, while in qualifying, strategic choices secured the pole. Even with the mechanical failure, the team’s quick response kept Baptista competitive, reinforcing confidence for upcoming races.
Current championship standings
After the Velocitta stage, Gaetano Di Mauro took the championship lead with 294 points. Guilherme Salas, the previous leader, dropped to second after retiring. Gianluca Petecof, with 171 points, holds third, while Felipe Baptista remains fourth with 141 points, 58 behind the leader. The season’s competitiveness is clear, with five drivers within 100 points of the top.
The stage also highlighted team balance. Valda Cavaleiro Sports leads the constructors’ championship with 327 points, followed closely by Eurofarma RC (324) and Car Racing KTF (315). Nelson Piquet Jr.’s Scuderia Bandeiras sits in seventh with 184 points, boosted by the stage win.
Upcoming challenges in the calendar
The Stock Car Pro Series heads to the fifth stage, scheduled for August 15-17 at the Circuito dos Cristais in Curvelo, Minas Gerais. The track, known for its long straights and high-speed corners, will test the SUVs’ performance. For Baptista, the stage offers a chance to recover points and establish Car Racing KTF as a championship contender.
The 4,420-meter Curvelo circuit demands a different setup from Velocitta, emphasizing top speed and stability on long straights. Teams have begun preparing for the technical challenges, especially after lessons from Velocitta’s failures. The season, ending on December 14 at Interlagos, promises more intense battles.
Velocitta’s history in Stock Car
Inaugurated in 2012, the Velocitta Circuit has become a key venue for Stock Car since its debut in 2017. With 28 races held by 2025, the track is dominated by Thiago Camilo and Ricardo Zonta, each with three wins. Daniel Serra, with nine podiums, is the track’s most frequent podium finisher. The July stage reinforced the circuit’s reputation for unpredictable races, with safety cars and retirements shaping the event.
- Historic winners at Velocitta:
- Thiago Camilo: 3 wins (2019, 2021).
- Ricardo Zonta: 3 wins (two in 2023).
- Rubens Barrichello: 2 wins.
- Felipe Fraga: 2 wins, including the track’s first race in 2017.
The track’s mix of technical corners and narrow sectors continues to challenge drivers and teams, demanding a perfect balance between speed and equipment preservation.
Preparation for Curvelo
With the 2025 season reaching its midpoint, teams are focusing on adjustments for the Circuito dos Cristais. Car Racing KTF plans to intensify tests with the Chevrolet Tracker, prioritizing engine durability and high-speed stability. Baptista, who showed pace on technical tracks like Velocitta, believes the team’s work will be key to contending for podiums in Curvelo.
The Minas Gerais stage will also feature Stock Light, BRB Formula 4 Brazil, and Turismo Nacional, adding to the weekend’s appeal. Live broadcasts on YouTube, Band, and SporTV will ensure fans catch every detail of the action.
Legacy of competitiveness
The Velocitta stage in 2025 cemented the season as one of the most competitive in recent years. Nelson Piquet Jr.’s victory, Gaetano Di Mauro’s rise, and Felipe Baptista’s recovery showcased the high level of drivers and teams. Despite mechanical challenges, the category continues to attract big names like Rubens Barrichello, Thiago Camilo, and Daniel Serra, all in contention for the title.
Baptista’s story at Velocitta reflects Stock Car’s essence: talent, strategy, and overcoming setbacks. With eight stages remaining, the championship remains open, promising more thrilling moments for motorsport fans.
