He then made it count when it mattered with a brilliant second-place and third-place finish.

It meant the ADD Motorsports-supported driver closed the gap to the top of the standings to just 19 points.

He said: “It was a really good weekend. I got a good qualifying lap in and was back among the podiums. But for me the most pleasing thing about the weekend was that I showed good race craft in the second race. I set up the move to take second for around a lap, pressurizing the driver in front to make a mistake before taking him on the inside with a lap to go."

“I was a little disappointed not to get a podium on the third race, but I had no choice but to retire the car after sustaining significant damage from being hit by another driver going into Agostini on lap two.

“To get two podiums straight away after this long break was a good result and has put me in a great place in the Championship.” 

English driver James, born in Singapore, now living in Herts, cut a determined figure from the off – finishing third fastest in the first testing session and fastest in the second.

He took this pace into qualifying, finishing third on the only clear lap he was able to put in – but felt pole was there for the taking had he not been forced onto the wet on his flying lap.

Race One was interrupted by several safety cars, leaving only four racing laps.

When the racing resumed, James attempted to attack the driver in front who defended well, but he had to settle for third place at the flag.

James finished just behind Defrancesco – with Carlin’s double podium bringing the jubilant team’s total podium count to an impressive 800.

The driver started the reverse grid of race two in sixth place and had moved into fifth early on after a good start.

He took advantage when the drivers in front clashed to move into third and then spent a lap setting up an attack to try to take second.

His patience and pressure paid off, with James making a brilliant move to take the position with a lap to go.

James began the final race in fifth place but lost 10 positions when he was forced onto the grass on the first corner. 

Another driver then hit him from behind, finishing his race early.

James started the weekend 31 points behind the leader, but now sits in fifth but more importantly, just 19 points behind.

He added: “I’m in a really good position now. I’m a lot closer to the top and after this weekend I am even more confident that I can challenge for the title.

“Obviously there’s a long way to go, but I plan to keep picking up the podiums to keep me up there.”