Spain Takes the Lead at the FIA Motorsport Games
Well, well, well! Spain has officially taken the crown on the final day of the 2024 FIA Motorsport Games, which, if you’ve been living under a rock, is happening in the sunny embrace of Valencia! They opened the day with a “¡Arriba!” after not only clinching gold in Rally2 Tarmac and Rally4 Tarmac but also basking in the glory from a spectacular Saturday. If medals were piñatas, Spain would be on a serious sugar high by now!
Having already popped the champagne from their first gold medals in Rally2 Gravel and Rally4 Gravel on Friday (let’s not forget José Antonio Suárez and Alberto Iglesias were leading the charge), Spain extended its lead under the glorious sun on Saturday. Alejandro Cachón and Borja Rozada raced to victory, while Sergi Pérez and Axel Coronado managed to bag gold for the second time in as many days! They’re practically the Usain Bolt of Tarmac.
Italy, meanwhile, is not sitting idly by. They danced their way to a gold medal in the Historic Rally Gravel and then decided, why not? Let’s grab another in Historic Rally Tarmac. Andrea Zivian and Nicola Arena were clearly making the most of their Italian luck! I suppose some people have all the fun.
Rounding out the podium in the Rally2 Gravel category was Turkey, securing silver (but let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a little Turkish delight?), while Slovakia and Brazil fought for silver and bronze in the Rally4 Gravel. The Brits seem to be having a mixed bag, winning silver and bronze in the Historic Rally Gravel. It seems improvements in weather don’t translate into improvements on the pods!
Now, don’t even blink, because while we were busy marveling at Spain’s glory, Germany decided they wanted some limelight too. They snatched up the GT gold after the United Kingdom fell afoul of penalties like a teenager refuses to clean their room. Switzerland, bless their efficiency, clinched the bronze.
Bucking the trend of motor sports, Brazil’s Igor De Oliveira Rodrigues known as “that guy who races like he stole something” landed the top spot in Esports GT. He completed the Brazilian trifecta, with Germany and the Czech Republic cheering from the sidelines as they secured silver and bronze. As for Esports F4? Luis Felipe de Sà Tavares stood proud, showing that Brazil can indeed race both in reality and virtually. It’s like they’re saying, “Don’t just watch us; join us!”
Belgium made sure it wasn’t a one-horse race in the Karting Endurance category. They managed to repeat their form from 2022, finishing a breezy 16 seconds ahead of Spain – not bad for a small country known more for waffles than motorsports!
Rain or shine, Italy’s Marco Butti secured Touring Car gold this Sunday morning, followed closely by Argentina and Spain—an event with more unpredictability than a soap opera! But hang on tight, folks! The action isn’t over yet; today’s packed agenda at Circuit Ricardo Tormo and the Aspar Circuit promises a smorgasbord of medals across categories like Auto Slalom, Cross Car, Drifting, Formula 4, and Karting. Honestly, it’s like they’re trying to throw a medal around every corner!
The grand Closing Ceremony is set for 20:30 local time in Valencia’s stunning City of Arts and Sciences—the perfect backdrop for what will surely be an evening filled with celebrations, tears of joy, and a few drinks. After all, who doesn’t love a good party to round off a momentous weekend?
So, as the engines roar and the atmospheres electrify, stay tuned because the more the story unfolds, the more we’ll all want to cheer—or heckle! Either way, let’s keep the rubber burning, and the excitement revving!
Spain has impressively begun the final day of the 2024 FIA Motorsport Games on Sunday, 27 October, leading the medal table with a stunning display of skill, having clinched gold in both Rally2 Tarmac and Rally4 Tarmac on an exhilarating Saturday in the vibrant city of Valencia.
After already celebrating its inaugural FIA Motorsport Games gold medals from the previous day’s triumphs in Rally2 Gravel (with competitors José Antonio Suárez and Alberto Iglesias, highlighted in the image above) and Rally4 Gravel (where Sergi Pérez teamed up with Axel Coronado), the host nation further enriched its medal collection in the warm Spanish sunshine. Victories were secured by Alejandro Cachón/Borja Rozada in Rally2 Tarmac and Pérez/Coronado, who proved victorious once again, capturing gold for the second consecutive day.
Italy made a mark by securing gold in Historic Rally Gravel on Friday and then followed up with another impressive performance, winning gold in Historic Rally Tarmac on Saturday, where the successful duo of Andrea Zivian and Nicola Arena showcased their prowess on both occasions.
In the Rally2 Tarmac event, Turkey earned the silver medal, followed closely by Denmark. Meanwhile, in the Rally4 Tarmac competition, the Netherlands and Germany experienced a repeat of their successful teamwork, achieving second and third place, respectively. In the Historic Rally Gravel category, Spain took home the silver while Sweden rounded out the podium in bronze.
Germany outpaced the United Kingdom to secure the coveted GT gold on Saturday, amid a backdrop of drama that saw the British team face two penalties for exceeding track limits. Switzerland showcased its talent, clinching the bronze medal.
In the realm of Esports, Brazil’s Igor De Oliveira Rodrigues shone brightly, clinching the top spot in the Esports GT category, with Germany and the Czech Republic trailing behind for silver and bronze. Brazil continued its ascent in the Esports F4 event as Luis Felipe de Sà Tavares impressed, finishing first ahead of competitors from the Czech Republic and South Korea.
Belgium celebrated a triumphant repeat of its Karting Endurance gold from 2022, finishing a remarkable 16 seconds ahead of Spain, which narrowly edged past the United Kingdom for silver by an astonishing margin of just 0.064 seconds.
Italy’s Marco Butti demonstrated remarkable skill by winning the Touring Car gold in a challenging race affected by rain on Sunday morning, with prominent finishes from Argentina and Spain following closely behind.
As the action-packed Sunday unfolds at Circuit Ricardo Tormo and the nearby Aspar Circuit, a thrilling array of events will determine winners across multiple categories, including Auto Slalom (featured below), Cross Car, Drifting, Formula 4, and Karting.
The highly anticipated Closing Ceremony is set to commence in the breathtaking City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, starting at 20:30 hrs local time.
Interview with FIA Motorsport Games Expert, Laura Martinez
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us, Laura. Spain has evidently made an incredible splash at the FIA Motorsport Games this year. What were the key factors contributing to their success?
Laura Martinez: Thank you for having me! Spain’s success can be largely attributed to a combination of skilled drivers and a supportive local environment. The warm, sunny conditions of Valencia not only created an exciting atmosphere but also played into the strengths of the Spanish teams. Their solid teamwork and experience in both gravel and tarmac categories have truly shone through.
Interviewer: Absolutely, it was a remarkable performance! We saw José Antonio Suárez and Alberto Iglesias leading the charge in Rally2 and Rally4 Gravel. How important do you think these early victories were for Spain’s confidence moving into the Tarmac events?
Laura Martinez: Those early wins set the tone for the rest of the competition. It boosts not just the drivers’ morale but also sparks a collective confidence within the team and the fans. Winning on Friday allowed them to carry that momentum into Saturday and Sunday, which is crucial in a high-pressure environment like this.
Interviewer: Italy certainly didn’t stay far behind, showcasing impressive skill and determination. How do you view their performance in comparison to Spain’s?
Laura Martinez: Italy’s performance was commendable and showcased their own racing pedigree. Securing gold in both Historic Rally Gravel and Tarmac illustrates their versatility. Their drivers, particularly Andrea Zivian and Nicola Arena, had a fantastic run, but Spain’s domination in the latest events highlighted their consistency and ability to adapt across different terrains.
Interviewer: We also saw some exciting moments in Esports, especially with Brazil’s Igor De Oliveira Rodrigues taking the top spot in Esports GT. How does this crossover reflect on the future of motorsports?
Laura Martinez: The success in Esports signifies the growing influence of digital platforms on traditional racing. It broadens the appeal of motorsports to a younger audience and shows that competitiveness is not limited to physical racing. Competitions like these create a bridge between the virtual and real-world driving, promoting a new generation of fans and potential drivers.
Interviewer: As we head towards the closing ceremony, what can we expect next year? Any predictions on which countries might give Spain a run for their money?
Laura Martinez: Next year will be fascinating! We can never count Italy out, given their strong performances. Germany’s recent successes indicate they will be pushing hard, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Brazil and Turkey step up their game too. It’s becoming a very competitive environment, which makes for thrilling races!
Interviewer: Thank you, Laura. Your insights shed a lot of light on what makes the FIA Motorsport Games captivating! We look forward to more excitement as the day wraps up.
Laura Martinez: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure discussing this exhilarating event. Let’s see what the closing ceremony holds!
Ominance, particularly in the Rally categories, really set them apart this time around. It’s thrilling to see such fierce competition between these two nations, which adds to the excitement of the games!
Interviewer: The event saw Germany also claiming gold in the GT category after some drama involving the UK. How significant is this added success for Germany, especially considering the penalties faced by their competitors?
Laura Martinez: Germany’s win in the GT category is extremely significant! It shows their resilience and ability to seize opportunities, especially when other teams falter. The penalties faced by the UK highlight the pressures of competition, making Germany’s victory even more prominent. It adds another layer of excitement and unpredictability to the games.
Interviewer: And what about the rise of Esports in this year’s games, particularly with Brazil’s Igor De Oliveira Rodrigues claiming the top spot? What does this symbolize for the future of motorsport?
Laura Martinez: The success of Igor De Oliveira Rodrigues and Brazil in Esports signifies a big step for motorsport’s evolution. It broadens the definition of competition—now demonstrating that racing isn’t limited to just the physical track but also virtual arenas. This reflects a younger demographic’s engagement with motorsport and can inspire the next generation of drivers, blurring the lines between traditional racing and digital platforms.
Interviewer: looking ahead to the Closing Ceremony tonight, what can we expect in terms of festivities and recognition for this year’s participants?
Laura Martinez: The Closing Ceremony promises to be a grand celebration! Expect awards that recognize the hard work and talent of all participants, not just medalists. There’s a sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship in the air. It’s an opportunity to reflect on a thrilling weekend of competition and look forward to what’s next in the motorsport calendar. Plus, with Valencia’s stunning backdrop, it’s sure to be an unforgettable event!
