Touted as the favorite heading into the Montalegre round of the CrossCar Junior category, Carl Svedlund certainly lived up to the hype during the qualifying heats of Race 1. Clocking the fastest time in all three sessions, the young Swede heads into the finals in an ideal position.

Relaxed and smiling after securing his place in the semi-final, Svedlund didn’t hide his satisfaction.

“I was a little nervous coming here, but overall I felt pretty confident.”

Asked what gave him the edge over the other juniors, Svedlund remained humble.

“I’m not really sure… Maybe the fact that I finished fourth in the championship last year. The three drivers who were ahead of me in 2024 aren’t here this season, so that obviously makes things a bit easier.”

His momentum, however, didn’t just come out of nowhere. It’s the continuation of a strong end to last season, where he earned four podiums—including a maiden win—across the final six races.

“Yeah, for sure. That first win, along with the other podiums, really shifted something in my mindset. That’s when I realized I could aim higher.”

Of course, being one of the frontrunners also comes with its share of pressure.

“It’s a bit of both. It’s motivating to know you’re one of the best, but you really can’t get overconfident. If you don’t follow through with results, it can come crashing down quickly.”

Within the JC Raceteknik camp, the goals for 2025 are crystal clear.

“The team wants to win—plain and simple. And so do I. I want to be the fastest by the end of the year.”

And with three straight qualifying wins under his belt this weekend, Svedlund’s ambitions are already gaining momentum.

“Absolutely. It boosts confidence and it’s a great way to kick off the season.”

As for the rest of the weekend? His answer is straightforward:

“Go for the win.”