Preview Valencia: Strong Spanish drivers in Formula BMW Europe.

 

On the Formula BMW Europe winners’ podium it’s most definitely a case of Spanish spoken. 17-year-old Daniel Juncadella from Barcelona has already been up there five times in this successful junior race series, and on the top step twice as the winner of rounds 9 and 10 in Budapest. Four pole positions, moreover, have earned the Spaniard extra points to secure him his current second place in the overall rankings. “Things are going pretty well,” says Juncadella, although the Italian Team Eurointernational driver still can’t quite believe his outstanding achievements so far. At any rate, it seems he can rely on his DNA, with motor racing a traditional forte of the Juncadella clan. Two of his uncles raced in Formula One and his father was Spanish Formula 3 champion.

 

It was the BMW Motorsport talent scouts who discovered Ramon Pineiro (Fortec Motorsport) of Barcelona for Formula BMW Europe. The 16-year-old took part in the 2007 scholarship qualifying in Valencia and earned a place in BMW’s junior scheme. He receives financial support to the tune of 75,000 euros and benefits from the BMW Education and Coaching Programme. As a rookie he lacks the necessary racing experience in a Formula car in this, his first season, but two pole positions in Silverstone provided dazzling evidence of his racing talent.

 

The Spanish capital of Madrid is home to Formula BMW Europe’s third Iberian contestant, 16-year-old schoolboy Facundo Regalia (Eurointernational). He played for the Real Madrid junior team before turning his full attention to motorsport. Born in Argentina, he moved to Madrid with his parents at the age of eight. Another “incomer” is Mexican driver Esteban Gutierrez (Josef Kaufmann Racing), who is currently living with a Spanish host family in Madrid, where he attends school but is otherwise totally focused on motor racing. After six wins in ten races, he heads the overall rankings in Formula BMW Europe.

 

Shared nationality aside, these drivers all have one thing in common: they are excited at the prospect of their second “home event” of the year. After the season opener in Barcelona, the forthcoming races held as part of the European Grand Prix support programme will mark the second visit to Spain this year by Formula BMW Europe.

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