Day 8: First podium of the Worlds after a tough morning

Day two of the individual Kart World Championship (KWC) at Vandel Kart was a rollercoaster. Going off track in the first qualifying session left me deep in the field for race three, but race four brought the answer: second on the grid, fastest lap of the race and third place — my first podium of this year's Worlds. At the halfway point, four races of eight, I sit 54th. The top 48 go through to the semifinals, and the gap up to the cut is minimal.

Both of today's races ran on the new layout, and the day started in frustrating fashion. I had the pace to start near the front in race three, but I went off and ruined the whole qualifying lap. I rarely make that kind of mistake, so the disappointment was real. Into the second race I carried one simple lesson: drive calmer and put together a clean lap. It paid off immediately.

Race 3: the off that cost me

Qualifying started really promisingly and the pace was there for a starting position around the top five. Then I went off, and with that the session was ruined. Instead of starting at the front, I lined up 16th.

From there it was very hard to make progress. I still worked my way up to eleventh at the finish, and the race pace was decent. But the result did not reflect the speed I actually had — the qualifying mistake cost me a really good result.

Race 4: second in qualifying and a first podium

Ahead of the second qualifying session I focused on driving calmer and setting a clean lap without sliding. That gave me second on the grid.

Early in the race I tried to stay with the leader to build a gap behind us, but the pace was not quite high enough. So I chose to take my joker lap early to get a few clear laps. The leader responded immediately with his own joker and came out right behind me, which handed me the lead — only for a moment, though, because he took it straight back. I let him go rather than pick an unnecessary fight; any time lost would have hurt me against the drivers who still had their joker laps left.

When the two ahead of us completed their jokers they came out just in front, and there I could pass the driver closest to me and move up to third. From that point the pace really came together. I set the fastest lap of the race, closed quickly on the two ahead and pulled a gap behind me at the same time. There was not quite enough time left to reach second, but third place held to the flag — my first podium of this year's Worlds and welcome proof that the speed is there.

Feeling after the day

Two completely different feelings in a single day. First the disappointment after an unusual mistake in qualifying, then a strong recovery with a controlled qualifying lap, the fastest lap of the race and a podium. That gives me some much-needed confidence for the four races that remain.

Halfway through the championship I sit 54th, and the gap up to the semifinal cut is minimal. My remaining heat times are in the schedule on the championship page.

What I take with me

• A calmer qualifying approach paid off straight away.
• The pace is good enough to fight at the front.
• The first podium of this year's Worlds is in the bag.
• The semifinal cut is within close reach.
• Now it is about building on how the day ended.