So Close to Finishing the Season on the Podium
O Cremona Circuit foi o local onde terminei esta temporada de karting. Na disputa da 2ª etapa da WSK Final Cup, estive mais uma vez forte na Mini Gr. 3, qualificando como segundo mais rápido, a quatro milésimas da pole. Nas Eliminatórias, fiz segundo por duas vezes e terceiro. Fui terceiro na Pré-Final e quarto na Final e terminei a Final Cup em quinto da Mini Gr. 3. Este foi um ano intenso, mas de enorme aprendizagem. Venha 2025!
Back to Square One But Stronger
At the start of a new competition, probably the last of the season, I’m back with DR, where I’ve always been happy. But now, I’m stronger and more consistent, which is why I maintained a very high pace in Lonato for Round 1 of the WSK Final Cup. I took pole position, drove solidly in the Heats, and overcame setbacks in both the Pre-Final and Final, where I finished in the top 5—my best result so far in Mini Gr. 3. Now, we’re giving it our all for Cremona.
Win For Portugal
Representing my country for the first time at a global karting event was an immense honor and privilege. My participation in the 2024 FIA Motorsport Games will always be unforgettable. I was fortunate to have the support of my friend Frederico Duarte, a highly regarded official mechanic for Parolin. In Valencia, I demonstrated my drive and competitiveness, leading in the Mini category at every moment. I brought Gold home to Portugal and made history.
Second Pole Position of the Season
On my visit to Sarno for the final round of the WSK Euro Series, I highlight the highest point of my performance: achieving the second pole position of the year in Mini Sub-10. In the Heats, not everything went smoothly, and I also faced difficulties in the Pre-Final, where I even had a scare. In the Final, I was battling for second place, but a contact from an opponent caused my kart's engine to shut off. Finishing 13th feels like too little!
Give My Best in Any Circumstance
I arrived in Lonato "hungry" for competition and, since the free practice sessions, I was always among the best in Mini Gr. 3. In qualifying, I "fought hard" and secured the 3rd best time. The heats didn't go well for me, but I did what I could. Luck also didn't help me in Race 1, but I held on to the best position I could get. In Race 2, after some work from my team, I had better equipment and delivered with a ninth-place finish in a race where I had one of my best performances of the season, finishing 9th.
Train in Competition
Considering that this competition took place in Lonato, a week before South Garda Karting hosted the final stage of the ACI Sport Italian Championship, my team thought this would be a good opportunity to train and prepare for the event. I performed well in Qualifying, as well as in the Heats, but not everything went smoothly. I qualified for the Mini Gr. 3 Final, but a technical problem prevented me from starting.
Safe and Confident
After a month without competing, I came full of motivation to race at the WSK Super Cup in Franciacorta. I felt comfortable on track and with my performance, always staying in the top positions, both in Qualifying and the Heats, where I consistently placed within the top 10. In the Final, I suffered a contact early on that kept me away from the top five, but I still managed to perform at a good level among the best in Mini Gr. 3.
Luck Did Not Keep Up With the Pace and Performance
With intense heat and new asphalt causing additional problems, I was always very competitive during the ACI Sport Italian Karting Championship visit to Sarno. I had a good pace in Qualifying and the Qualifying Heats, although I only managed a good result in one of them, as I crashed in the other. In Sunday's races, I ended up crashing in the first one, which forced me to start from the back of the grid. I climbed 12 positions in Race 2.
Enhancing My Abilities
Even though I struggled with some performance issues throughout the week, I always managed to make a difference in the races. It was one of my best competitive weekends this year, even if the results are not the best of 2024. I showed how I am more competitive and consistent in racing. I gave my best in Franciacorta and learned a lot from the difficulties of this weekend at the WSK Euro Series.
Better Prepared to Compete Among the Best
Although I was within the best pace during the first training sessions, I ended up not having a good Qualifying, which affected my performance in the Qualifying Heats in Val Vibrata. Even so, I managed to comfortably reach Race 1 and 2 on Sunday. I had a good Race 1 but ended up retiring early in Race 2. I take a positive view of the weekend, feeling stronger and more comfortable against the best in the Mini category.
Setbacks Make Me Stronger
In my second stage of the Italian Championship, where I race in the Mini Gr. 3, the competition is always tougher, with at least 20 drivers capable of fighting for victories. I had setbacks in the Qualifying Heats, but I managed to place myself among those who advanced to the two decisive races. There, I wasn't lucky; I had to run at the back of the pack, but the battles for position and the ambition to finish the races also make me stronger.
Podium X2
Although I was very fast in free practice, I didn't confirm it in Qualifying. Starting from the middle of the grid, I met the objectives in the Qualifying Heats without any issues and performed very well in the Pre-Final, where I secured third position. In the Final, I started fourth and even ran in second, but I made a small mistake and dropped to sixth. With a clear head, I climbed back up and secured the podium in the final lap, both in the event and in the Open Series.
The Result Does Not Reflect My Competitiveness
In my debut on a new track, the Sicilian Circuito Internazionale Triscina, I had a good performance. On a complex layout, I consistently ran among the top competitors in my first race in the Mini Gr. 3. Against the best drivers in the Mini category, I didn't feel intimidated, although I wasn't able to be as competitive as I would have liked in the two decisive races. I leave here motivated for the rest of the championship; we are on the right track.
I'm Really On the Right Path
Competitive, strong, motivated, and aware are words that define my current moment. In Franciacorta, at the 1st stage of the WSK Open Series, I was consistently among the top contenders, even being the benchmark on several occasions. I was faster, winning one heat and contending for the lead in two others. My less favorable moment came in the Pre-Final, perhaps due to some bad luck that influenced my result. However, I bounced back strong in the Final.
Determination Is a Trump Card
This 35th edition of the Trofeo Andrea Magutti served for me to evolve dealing with difficult situations and setbacks. It wasn't one of the races where I was most competitive. I had to sweat a lot to overcome some setbacks in the Heats and reach the Pre-Final. I started the Mini Sub 10 Final in 24th place and managed to climb to a respectable 10th place in the 10 laps of the race. My determination grows with me!
On the Right Path
The final stage of the Super Master Series marks a turning point on the positive side, with me becoming increasingly adapted to my new equipment and team, and results starting to come naturally. In Sarno, with the usual atmospheric instability at this time of the year, I was consistently in the fight for top positions in the Mini Sub 10, just like my teammate. My performance brings me a lot of confidence for the rest of the year.
I Face the Challenges and Overcome Them
Despite being fast since the free practices, I ended up being hindered by an opponent in the qualifying, and that affected my performance, conditioning me at the start of all three heats. Later, I made a mistake in Heat 1, had a good Heat 2, and got involved in an accident in Heat 3. This forced me to start the pre-final from the back, but I made a good recovery. In the final, starting from behind, I passed 12 on the first lap, and I even made it to the top 10. I did well!
New Home, Same Motivation
In the second stage of the WSK Super Master Series, I embarked on a new journey in my young career, continuing the evolution in karting with SM Racing. I was warmly welcomed into a highly professionalized structure, and on the track, I gave my best despite challenging weather conditions. In Cremona, I was quite competitive, with strong performances in the heats and pre-final. Unfortunately, luck was not on my side in the final.
Doing My Best
My first stage of the 2024 WSK Super Master Series edition was one of hardship, where I learned to make the best of equipment that wasn't as competitive. Nevertheless, I managed to overcome the challenges of the heats and secure a spot in the Mini Sub 10 Final. In the decisive race, I gave my best for a result in the first half of the field. This event was also nostalgic for me as it marked the end of a cycle.
I Started the Season in a Timid Manner
After finishing 2023 on a very positive note, I had high expectations to start 2024 competing for victory in the WSK Champions Cup. I was competitive in Lonato, but at certain crucial moments, such as the start of the heats, I ended up experiencing some lapses in concentration. I compensated in the Pre-Final by finishing 3rd. In the Final, I didn't have the necessary luck to stay in the leading pack. Finishing in the top 10 felt like it wasn't enough.
