"If it's no fun, then it's not a car," declared Toyota boss Akio Toyoda when he took up office in 2010. Just how irresistible this dialectic is becomes apparent as soon as the asphalt begins to fly beneath you, the wind begins to whistle, and the laws of physics compress the pilot against the seat during an accelerating trajectory. “If it's really fun, then it's my kart," says Leandro with a twinkle in his eye, putting his own spin on the Toyota anecdote on the incredible driving experience.
Leandro is at home in the automotive world. The 38-year-old father of two graduated in Mechatronic Engineering and works as a Project Manager at EDAG do Brasil in São Bernardo do Campo, metropolitan region of São Paulo. A declared “speed lover”, who in his spare time becomes a highly enthusiastic “kart guy”.
In Brazil, kart racing is organized at a high level even for amateur drivers. This spurs Leandro on. "The championships and tournaments are held at official karting tracks used also for international competitions, with strict regulations and structured teams, as well as at professional races, including live TV broadcasts," says Leandro.
For him, it's not really a matter of trophies and championship titles. "I don't want to be taken by pure ambition, but by the determination. For me, it's all about experience and overcoming my own limits. There is no greater motivation for me than having my wife and two kids with me at the track on race weekends." But that doesn't necessarily mean that he wouldn't like to take the next step. He has plans, for instance, to race for the “Brazilian Kart Championship” title as well as to join international races. The ultimate goal is the “Kart World Championship”, wearing the Brazilian flag colors on his clothing.
The impetus for high speeds and driving vehicles has always prevailed throughout Leandro’s life. He feels most at home outside of the comfort zone of the predictable. That’s why the real emotion cannot be briefly described as a leisurely cruise along the highway, but with the closed helmet visor, green lights for start on and the roar of the engines. Even as a university student, Leandro always sought great challenges. It was during his Mechatronic Engineering degree that he was invited to join what would be his first big project related to the product development, the “Romi-Isetta Virtual Project”, which was promptly accepted. His enthusiasm knew no bounds. Romi-Isetta is, after all, an automotive icon in Brazil. With their small 10 inches wheels, 236 cubic capacity and 9.5 horsepower, Romi-Isetta was the first Brazilian vehicle made as series production. Under “Romi-Industries” responsibility, famous agricultural machinery manufacturer, just over 3.000 cars were produced between 1956 and 1961. In Brazil, they made automotive history.
In the project, which ran for over three years and concluded just in time with Leandro’s graduation, the aim was to virtually rebuild the complete vehicle using tridimensional digitalization resources and original construction drawings in time for the 50th anniversary of this small vehicle, in 2006. "At the time, that was extremely ambitious and challenging. And we succeeded." The result was very well received, fascinated the experts, and was presented repeatedly in seminars, workshops, and even at the International Auto Show in São Paulo. "At one of these events, I met Martin Vollmer, Managing Director of EDAG do Brasil. He presented the company to me, and his vision of fully integrated vehicle development programmed for the future. Not much later, I started to work there."
“Being part of the EDAG team since 2007 is a source of great pride. I can live my automotive dream here, am close to the latest technologies and to the dynamically developing needs of our customers," says Leandro. Since 2017, he has been a project manager for the largest independent engineering service provider, serving national and international customers in the passenger car and commercial vehicle sectors.
“Just like the corporate environment, the kart races require careful risk analysis, timing and resource management. A precise strategic plan is essential for success and great results”, says Leandro, reinforcing his teamwork motto - “Together we are stronger”. He enjoys applying his motorsport experience and fundamentals he gets from motorsport, along with a mixture of professionalism and pleasure in what he does, to the management and integration of all the teams involved in the product development. Other key aspects are strategic issues such as product nationalization and the implementation of new technologies. "It's like in a race: It's all about accelerating at the right moment."
Ayrton Senna, Brazilian racing driver and idol, three-time Formula 1 world champion, once summed up life’s philosophy well and applied by Leandro: “With regard to performance, commitment, effort, dedication, there is no middle ground. You do something well or not at all”. With logic like this, Leandro keeps his champion mentality, and remains at the top of the podium, in and outside of racing tracks.
