We hadn’t even had first practice in Malaysia, before Edo seized his best result of the year.

Edo was invited to take part in a go-kart race on Thursday morning here at Sepang, where he went up against other drivers from GP2 and Formula BMW… and the odd F1 test driver. The Arden driver put his 50cc kart on pole for the three lap race – and it was loaded with overtaking. Sweltering in the heat, an epic dual ensued between Edo and his friend and countryman Tonio Liuzzi. Force India’s third driver got the jump, launching from third to first, and the pair swapped position twice more before taking the chequered flag – Tonio a nosecone ahead of Edo.

“You couldn’t have had a closer finish if you tried,” beamed Edo, dripping with sweat. “Congratulations to Tonio, it was a really fun way to start my weekend in Malaysia.”