The Royal Spanish Automobile Federation has confirmed its ambitious intentions to go for gold in all 16 disciplines at the FIA Motorsport Games 2022 in France this month, 26-30 October.
The RFEDA has selected some of the country’s best experienced and emerging young talents in each category to form its 25-strong team, with participants aged 14 to 64 years of age flying the flag for Spain.
Spain’s national team more than doubles in size and commitment for the second edition of the event in which drivers from across the globe compete for medal-winning glory for their home nation.
Sara Fernández, recently crowned FIA European Rally Champion co-driver, captains the Spanish Automobile team and comments: “Our team is a true declaration of intent. All the drivers we have gathered have the talent and ability to medal at the FIA Motorsport Games. I am looking forward to being with all of them at Paul Ricard!”
Starting with the Circuit competitions, this year’s TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa winner Daniel Juncadella will lead the way in the GT Sprint competition. He’ll be joined by Gonzalo de Andrés and Fernando Navarrete, who were part of Spain’s line-up at the inaugural FIA Motorsport Games in 2019. The Touring Car was selected in the most recent round of TCR Spain at Navarra. Finally, will be Isidro Callejas who represent Spain on this category..
Joining the Formula 4 contingent and the hunt to win the €10,000 prize fund provided by KCMG will be 16-year-old Bruno del Pino Ventos, who currently competes in the Spanish Formula 4 Championship. Completing the crew for the Circuit activities, Alajandro Pérez will fight for the Drifting crown.
For the Off-road categories, the Spanish delegation combines youth and experience, with 14-year-old Diego Martïnez taking on Cross Car Junior and Iván Piña competing in Cross Car Senior.
The country’s large karting contingent includes more upcoming and future stars with Aarón García, also only 14 years of age entered for Karting Sprint Junior. Nacho Tuñón will compete for Spain in Karting Sprint Senior, and Álvaro Bajo, Alba Cano, José Mauel Pérez-Aicart and Iván Valesco are confirmed for Karting Endurance.
Team Spain has equally strong representation across the Rally disciplines. Rally Team Spain FIA ERC4 and Junior ERC pairing Óscar Palomo and Rodrigo Sanjuán will fight for medals in Rally4. They’ll be joined by Pepe López and Borja Rozada in Rally2, and Antonio Sainz and Miguel de la Puente in Historic Rally.
In the Electric Street categories, Álvaro Gutiérrez and Natalia Granada are set for their Karting Slalom debut, while Laura Aparicio and Miguel García Pérez-Carrillo are responsible for Spain’s Auto Slalom efforts.
Last but not least, Alberto García, who has earned a score of podium finishes and strong results in events and championships including the 24 Hours of Barcelona, GT2 Esport Racing Series, ACR World Cup and ACR League, will take on the intense competition of the Fanatec Esports Cup.
Manuel Aviñó, President of the RFEDA comments: “The creation of the Spanish Motoring Team to compete in the FIA Motorsport Games is one of the most exciting projects that we have carried out from the Federation. The team of 27 participants that we have assembled combines youth, experience and talent, as well as victories both inside and outside our borders. This is the most faithful proof that we take this project very seriously…and that we are going for it all.”
Team Spain
GT - Gonzalo de Andrés and Fernando Navarrete
GT Sprint - Daniel Juncadella
Touring Cars - Isidro Callejas
KCMG Formula 4 - Bruno del Pino
Drifting - Alejandro Pérez
Cross Car Senior - Iván Piña
Cross Car Junior - Diego Martínez
Karting Sprint Senior - Nacho Tuñón
Karting Sprint Junior - Aarón García
Karting Endurance - Álvaro Bajo, Alba Cano, José Mauel Pérez-Aicart and Iván Valesco
Karting Slalom - Álvaro Gutiérrez and Natalia Granada
Auto Slalom - Laura Aparicio and Miguel García
Rally2 - Pepe López and Borja Rozada
Rally4 - Óscar Palomo and Rodrigo Sanjuán
Historic Rally - Antonio Sainz and Miguel de la Puente
Fanatec Esports Cup - Alberto García