Interview with Fidel Garcia, RFEdeA’s Sporting Director

The promoter Koiranen GP organized a two-day test together with its other series, the SMP F4 NEZ Championship. Twenty-two drivers were present on the Spanish track, the Spanish drivers including Xavier Lloveras, Lluc Ibañez and Marta Garcia.

The Spanish Federation, the RFEdeA, was present at the tests in Valencia to find out more about the new addition to the FIA F4 series, the Spanish F4 Championship certified by FIA which starts in two months in Navarra.

Fidel Garcia, from the RFEdeA Sporting Department took the time to answer a few questions.

SF4: What do you think about the drivers who have been testing in Spanish F4 so far?

Fidel Garcia (FG): The Spanish drivers, Marta Garcia, Xavier LLoveras and Lluc Ibañez, who were testing in Cheste are young drivers with a high level of experience in karting, not only in the Spanish Championship, but also in the international CIK-FIA competition. For them, we are convinced that they have no problems adaptating to this new discipline.

SF4: At the moment what path is there in Spain to get to the higher categories in motorsport?

FG: The most common progression in the Spanish circuit racing is to start from karting and progress through its different categories depending on age, until the driver reaches 15-16 years old and has the option to step up to formula cars or to compete in GT or Autocross. We consider F4 as the natural category to make a logical transition between karting and single-seaters. This was missing in Spain.

SF4: What has been your perception of the development of Spanish F4 over recent months?

FG: The Spanish F4 Championship certified by FIA has taken shape: the official calendar has been released and we know which teams which will enter the championship; the Series will announce the drivers who will be competing one by one and the regulations will be published soon. All in all, the Spanish F4 Championship, thanks to the new promoter Koiranen GP, is preparing for a succesful start in June at the Circuit of Navarra.

SF4: The Series has announced its first teams. What do you think about them?

FG: The first Spanish team to confirm its presence is Drivex. They have extendsive experience and normally compete in different circuit championships at national and international levels. Regarding the new team Ukyfu Racing, I was able to speak with one of the managers in Valencia and I appreciate their huge passion for competition and the will to be competitive. We hope that new teams will announce their participation in the Spanish F4 Championship very soon.

SF4: Seeing the promoter, Koiranen GP, at work in Valencia, what are your expectations for this season?

FG: The organization level which Koiranen GP has shown confirms the will and seriousness they put to work for the Spanish F4 Championship to succeed from the start. It is worth mentioning the professionalism of their technical team on track, where they constantly advise the new drivers and coordinate all the mechanics.

The RFEdeA will be present at the first round of the Spanish F4 Championship in Navarra in June 10-12.