After securing two fourth-place finishes in Montalegre during the opening round of the 2025 season, Kalle Gothesson approaches this weekend’s event in Valkenswaard with clear optimism.
Following a 2024 campaign that ended with a modest 21st place overall in the standings, the young Swedish driver has made a dramatic turnaround, kicking off the new season with back-to-back finals appearances in Portugal.
Consistent and composed on the opening day of racing, Gothesson climbed to ninth in the intermediate standings. However, the second day of competition brought a tougher challenge.
Knocked out of the Top 16 after three difficult qualifying heats, the Speedcar driver pulled off one of the weekend’s standout performances, charging through the field to claim another fourth-place finish in the final.
A result that bodes well as he heads into round two in Valkenswaard.
“Portugal was pretty positive for me, with two fourth-place finishes. Sunday’s qualifying rounds were a bit more chaotic—there was a lot going on—but I still managed to reach the final. The goal was definitely to aim for the podium. It didn’t happen yet, but we’re still in the fight. This weekend, the ambition remains the same: perform well and hopefully grab a spot on the podium.”
Beyond the headline results, Gothesson is particularly proud of his ability to stay calm and deliver under pressure—particularly during a chaotic second day.
“Even though Sunday was a bit rough, the Portuguese round gave me a real confidence boost. Things don’t always go perfectly, and it’s important to be able to make the most out of difficult situations. We proved we can do that, and that’s really encouraging for the rest of the championship.”
Now all focus shifts to the Valkenswaard circuit, where Gothesson aims to build on his early-season momentum.
“Valkenswaard is a very different track from Montalegre. I’ve never raced on it before, but that’s true for most of the drivers, so we’re all starting on equal footing. The target is still to go for the win, but realistically, a podium finish would already be a great result. It’ll be interesting to see who adapts the quickest and nails the right setup early on. Once that’s done, it’ll be about managing the weekend smartly. I’m not entirely sure what to expect, but the goals are high—as always.”