RACE-Report

Heat 1: 09:27 / Heat 2: 1:49:10 / Final 1: 3:47:30

Heat 1: 08:40/ Heat 2: 1:48:20 / Final 1: 3:40:20

• Starting

  After a long drive to Valencia (13 hours), we arrived safely at the Aspar Circuit. It was already 29°C at 9:00 a.m. At 10:30 a.m., we were able to check in, get the kart ready, and pick up the engine.

  There were many drivers there, and we caught up with old friends.

• Practice

  The first practice session started with 10 minutes of engine running-in, followed by 3 minutes in race mode.

  During the first practice session, I noticed a delay between throttle input and engine power delivery. So we had the carburetor checked. We also weren’t getting enough grip yet.

  In the second practice session, we tried again after the overhaul, but the issue was still there. Not as bad as before, but still present.

  I was told we should run with a higher sprocket. We did that in the third practice session. The lag in the upper RPM range had improved, but it was still present at lower RPMs.

  Even in the fourth practice session, we just couldn’t hit the 01:00:XY time. We always ended up at 01:01:XY. The lag had improved with the higher sprocket, but it was still apparent.

  In the fifth and final practice session, we finally got a new carburetor to test, and surprise, the delay was gone, and we managed to hit the 01:00:XY time. So it was clear which carburetor we’d use in tomorrow’s race.

• Race 1

  Today, the weather conditions were the same as yesterday. Early Morning 26°C and steady increase to 34°C. It felt like 45°C under the tent, and sweat was pouring down my face. It was also very humid.

  Qualifying didn't go as planned. I had the fastest lap time right after the first lap and was still in first place until 1.5 minutes before the end. But I couldn't improve my lap time any further because I couldn't draft behind anyone. Even though I achieved a very good lap time by my standard, it still wasn't enough. The leader was 0.6 seconds faster.

  The first Heat wasn't anything special. I had another good start and was able to move up three positions right away. I managed to hold that position well until the end.

  In the second Heat, I got off to another good start from the inside lane and was able to move up four positions right away. Then it was a tough battle, and our positions shifted by two places every lap. On lap 6, I was pushed off the track, but I managed to fight my way back. We were all very close together as we crossed the finish line.

  The Final went very well. I had to start on the outside and was only able to gain one position. By lap 9, I had fought my way up to 8th place. Then it was a tough battle all the way to lap 15. I’d move up two positions, then fall back again, and so on. But in the end, I fought my way up to 6th place. Thanks to a penalty given to a driver in front of me, I gained one more position.

  1. Warm up: P16 (01:00:86 sec)

  2. Qualifying: P13 ( 01:00:25 sec)

  3. Heat 1: P10 / Start: P13 (01:00:28 sec)

  4. Heat 2: P11 / Start: P13 ‍(01:01:17 sec)

  5. Final: P5 / Start: P12 (01:01:89 sec)

• Race 2

  The weather was just as good on the second race day. It was already 24°C and sunny at 9 a.m. This was actually good for the setup adjustment, since we could use the experience we’d gained the previous day. Humidity was high again today at 74%.

  But even during the Warm-Up, we realized that the grip we’d had the day before was no longer there. The rear end, in particular, was slippery. In my opinion, the tire pressure was too low and the front grip was too firm. We couldn’t achieve the lap time we wanted and were way behind.

  Qualifying didn't go as planned either. I was too late to draft and too early for the fast pack. As a result, I had to drive on my own. On the other hand, the eight cars ahead of me were all within 1/10 of a second of each other. Starting from the middle of the pack is very difficult, since that's where most of the collisions happen. I need to improve in this regard.

  In the first Heat, I got off to a good start and fought my way up to 8th place lap by lap. I fought hard, which was really fun. I moved up 7 spots. Unfortunately, I’ll have to start from P15 again in the second heat based on qualifying.

  The second Heat wasn't anything spectacular, but I had a solid race and gained three positions.

  In the Final, short before the race started, I was interviewed by Nicloe Sutherland. Then I started from 9th position. Once again, I was able to move up to 4th place by the middle of the first lap.

  From the 4th lap on, I held 3rd place until the 9th lap.

  It was a really tough battle for 3rd place, and I was attacked really hard—maybe even pushing the limits of what’s legal.

  In the end, I managed to finish in 4th place, which was certainly very good considering my qualifying result, but I’ll have to wait until Round 5 in Franciacorta for a podium finish.

  1. Warm up: P23 (1:01:14 sec)

  2. Qualifying: P15 (1:00:02 sec)

  3. Heat 1: P8 / Start: P15 (1:00:06 sec)

  4. Heat 2: P12 / Start: P13 (1:00:58 sec)

  5. Final: P4/ Start: P9 (1:00:58 sec)