I Finish the Season On the Podium
The return to Franciacorta for the last competition of 2023, with the 2nd round of the WSK Final Cup, marks the moment that I want to carry with me to 2024. A weekend in which I was very competitive, I led in all the races I did, I almost guaranteed pole position and finished the Mini Sub 10 Final on the podium. I won a Qualifier and had great performances in the Pre-Final and Final, leading in both. Come 2024!
I Couldn't Reach the Final in Lonato em Lonato
With the clear goal of being among the first in the opening round of the WSK Final Cup, this weekend everything went a little wrong. Despite racing on a track that I really like, this time Lonato doesn't bring back good memories. A Qualifying with an inadequate rapport and two heats in which I crashed in the first corner, forced me to come from behind in the Pre-Final. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to be in the Mini Sub 10 Final.
My First Podium in WSK
Sarno's Circuito Internazionale Napoli has become an even more special track for me, after this weekend it was the stage for my first podium in a WSK Promotion competition. In the 2nd round of the Euro Series, I was always very strong, almost taking pole position in my group and then always being one of the protagonists at the front. With a strong attitude in the Final, I climbed positions to guarantee 3rd place in the Mini Sub 10 class.
Present in the Final and Many Kilometers Accumulated
I was able to sign up at the last minute for an event I wanted to race this year, the IAME World Finals 23 Portugal, at the Kartódromo Internacional do Algarve. After ensuring that I had competitive equipment, delivered to Lucas Araújo's ART, I was able to focus on ensuring a performance that would allow me to be in the Final, a goal which was achieved. This race also allowed me to accumulate many more kilometers in a racing situation.
My First Win in Italy
An almost perfect weekend, competing in the Coppa Italia ACI Karting, one of the most important competitions on the transalpine calendar and a return to Arce, the first track where I went kartting with a DR. I was second fastest in Qualifying and from then on I always won, in the two qualifiers, Pre Final and Final. Success brings even more motivation and determination, along with the lessons I take into the future. Bring on the next race!
Among the Strongest
During my visit to Franciacorta for the final round of the ACI Italian Karting Championship, I confirmed my current good form, always being in the top positions of the Mini Sub-10. In Qualifying I was 2nd fastest in group (3rd overall), in the Qualifiers I was 2nd (I led for a while) and 3rd. A small distraction mortgaged a good result in Race 1 in which I was 10th. In Race 2 I had good attitude and came 8th, although I fought for the podium.
Getting Stronger at WSK
Moralized by good performances, I reached the 1st round of the WSK Euro Series strong. In Franciacorta I narrowly missed out on pole position. In the Qualifiers I led and only because of an unfair penalty did I not win for the first time. I knew how to overcome difficulties to be 3rd in the Pre-Final and in the Final I came in 2nd, but I lost time when I avoided an accident, still managing to be 6th. It was my best WSK result so far.
Close to a New Podium
Motivated by the result of Race 1 in Val Vibrata, I arrived in Sarno hungry for a podium. I was strong in Qualifying and consistent in the qualifiers, placing me on the front lines in races 1 and 2. In the first race I was fighting for the podium and only a lack of extra power in the engine prevented me from getting there. In race 2, I was involved in an incident at the start and I couldn't do better than finish 18th.
My First Podium
On my debut in Val Vibrata I achieved my best result so far in all competitions in Italy. In Race 1 of this stage of the ACI Italian Karting Championship, I secured second position in a race that I led. I was very competitive all weekend, fifth in Qualifying, second in one heat and ninth in another. In Race 2, contact from an opponent prevented me from doing better than 13th place. It was an unforgettable weekend!
Dream Saturday and Nightmare Sunday
Sarno's weekend brought me a mix of completely opposing flavors. Returning to the Circuito Internazionale Napoli for the last round of the WSK Open Series, I started badly when I made a mistake in Qualifying that put me in last place. In the Qualifiers I did well and recovered enough to dream of good results on Sunday, but I wasn't happy again, ending up off the track in the Pre-Final and Final.
Unlucky in the Italian Championship
In my second round in the ACI Italian Championship, I was unlucky again, especially in the two decisive races (Sunday). Although I wasn't at my best, as the engines still aren't fully responsive, I did well in the Qualifiers and started in the middle of the pack for the final races. Lack of power and luck affected my performance in both, conditioning the final result.
Battling Hard Throughout The Weekend
On the La Conca track (Muro Leccese) I was always close to achieving good results. A small mistake prevented me from doing better in Qualifying and this also affected my performance in the Qualifiers, which are always very competitive. I reached the Pre-Final and had one of my best performances of the week, just like in the Final where I ran backwards. Contact with an opponent also didn't help my final result.
I started Short Of My Goal
I returned to the Cremona Circuit, to race the 1st round of the ACI Italian Karting Championship. With a lot of rain in the first days, I was consistent in Qualifying and performed well in the Qualifiers. On Sunday, I made a mistake at the start of Race 1 and although finishing 10th, I was penalized and dropped to 15th. In Race 2, I was hit early by an opponent and ended up off the track, but returned a lap later. I finished 34th.
Do the Best We Can
On my return to Portugal, to race the CPK round in Portimão, in anticipation of the Portuguese Cup being held on Algarve soil, I saw this as an opportunity to prepare that race. However, a collision with another driver in one of the free practice sessions damaged the chassis and meant that my equipment was not in the best condition. Even so, I was able to be competitive and perform well on the track.
Every Detail Can Make a Big Difference
The return to Cremona is something that I enjoy, on a track where I have been feeling good. I had a very consistent performance this weekend, running in the top positions. I ended up having two less good moments, in Qualifying and then in the Final, where a small mistake limited my top speed, in a part of the track where I was surpassed by several drivers. Still, I left good indicators and was in good shape.
Savoring the Fruits of Consistency
For this stage of the Open Series, I was very consistent all weekend. Qualifying didn't go well for me, as I was hampered by two drivers ahead of me on the flying lap, but then I was consistent in the Qualifiers, always finishing in the first half of the field. The Pre Final wasn't as exuberant as I wanted, I was much better in the Final, where I had my best result in the WSK so far, with a top 10.
Learning From Mistakes
Racing for the first time at the Cremona Circuit and with fewer participants in the Mini Sub-10, I was able to compete in all the Qualifiers, with all the favorites for victory in the WSK competitions. In this second round of the Open Series, I performed well, finishing 5th in Qualifying. Finishing 3rd, 5th and 8th in the Qualifiers, I led a race and was always one of the most competitive. Under rain I was strong in the Pre Final and in the Final a mistake prevented me from perhaps making history for karting in my country. Am confident!
New Competition – Same Determination
I racedagain on the Lonato track, where I already feel very comfortable, the first stage of the WSK Open Series. This is a new competition for me, which I face with ambition and humility. I was always competitive, but there were times when I let inexperience get the best of me. I reached the Final, where I had a good race and recovered until I reached the top 15, when contact with an opponent made me lose positions. I ended up penalized and dropped to 32nd.
Once Again Damaged By An Opponent
On my return to Sarno, I couldn't do well in Qualifying, which forced me to run from backwards in the Qualifiers. I managed to be in the Pre-Final, where I performed well. I started the Final in the first half of the field and felt competitive for a good result. However, I only made the first two turns, after being pushed by an opponent into a kart that was immobilized on the track.
Performance Conditioned By Contact From Opponent
After not being able to do well in Qualifying, I managed to have good performances in the Qualifiers. In the Pre-Final I ended up being touched by an opponent and involved in a chain collision, being penalized for damage in my kart. In the Final, I started very well and was going for a good result (I gained 11 positions in 4 laps), but I was hit by an opponent when the driver in front of me blocked my path and I lost a lot of places.
Embracing the Challenge to Evolve with Results
Right from the start I joined the series with one goal: to fight for the best positions and be consistent in my performance, trying my best not to make mistakes. I was very competitive in Qualifying, which left me extremely motivated. In the Qualifiers I fulfilled the mission of going through unscathed and maintaining a good position for the Pre-Final. In this race, I had a good performance and in the Final, despite some problems, I secured a top 16 position.
The Start of a Demanding Season
South Garda Karting in Lonato opened my 2023 season, where I was present for the WSK Champions Cup, the first race on the WSK Promotion calendar. This race marked the debut of a new category within the Mini: Sub 10. In difficult conditions, with very cold weather, I gradually improved my performance, I was in the Final, but I ended up being a victim of bad luck, when I took a touch in the DR that forced me to retire.
