After setting the ninth-fastest time in Free Practice 2, Nathan Ottink has already showcased his potential in the highly competitive Open 4WD category. One thing is clear: the young Dutch driver wasted no time breaking into the Top 10 of RallyX’s premier class.

Making his career debut in the RallyX Championship behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta, the reigning Junior European Autocross Champion is off to a promising start.

“So far, things are going pretty well,” Nathan says. “It’s a brand-new track for me, and a whole new experience too. I’ve never raced in a Supercar before—just a few test sessions up until now. I’m really looking forward to the first heat and seeing how it all unfolds. We made a few setup adjustments to make the car a bit more stable. It’s improving little by little, the feeling is getting better, and we’ll see how things evolve over the course of the weekend.”

Despite his youth, Ottink is already showing a strong ability to adapt to a technical and demanding circuit like Montalegre.

“The dirt section of the track really reminds me of autocross, so I feel pretty comfortable there, especially when the car starts sliding. I’ve also done a lot of karting, so I know how to handle the asphalt too. You have to be really smooth behind the wheel. The key is finding the right balance between both styles—blending speed with precision.”

All that remains now is for him to turn those good early impressions into results, with the first two races of the 2025 season just around the corner.