Real Federacion Española de Automovilismo (RFEdA)’s FIA Motorsport Games line-up includes Daniel Juncadella in GT, Sainz’s older brother Antonio Sainz in Historic Rally, Alejandro Cachón in Rally2, Belén García in Karting Endurance and Eric Gené in Touring Car.

Moya (below left) said: “I am proud and happy that President Manuel Aviñó asked me to become the captain and flag-bearer of the Spanish team competing in the FIA Motorsport Games, the Olympic Games of motor sport. There could not be a better place than Valencia to host such a huge event.”

But to field such a huge team has required considerable investment, as Aviñó (pictured below) explained: “This is thanks to what we did at the first FIA Motorsport Games in Rome because we went to the government and we got a bit of support to go again to Marseille [for the second edition] and there we got eight medals. That was another good message to sell to the government and I have to say thank you to the Spanish government because we got important support for this edition and this is why we have a strong national team. We have one of the strongest delegations but a lot of nations have put a lot of effort to come here [with their own strong delegations].”

Aviñó, who along with Svenska Bilsportförbundet CEO Anna Nordkvist, serves as an FIA Vice President for Sport Europe, continued: “The FIA Motorsport Games is more than a race, it’s about the feeling you have for your country. From the first moment I always believed in this event and we need to embrace it more because it’s an event done for and by the FIA Member Clubs. It’s also the best option we have to show our government that we can compete while representing our country.”

GT Sprint driver Daniel Juncadella said: “Every time you get the chance to represent your country it’s something unique and showcasing the Spanish colours it’s super-special. I remember in the previous Motorsport Games I had a terrible weekend and I was really disappointed – hopefully it’s second time lucky.”

An established and highly successful professional racing driver, Juncadella is hoping to inspire the younger members of the Spanish team.

“It’s incredible how young some of the guys competing here are,” Juncadella said. “These guys are well prepared and passionate and driven to win, to compete for their country, and that’s something very special. I am massively impressed with their level – hopefully I can help them with my experience.”

One of the younger members of the Spanish team is 17-year-old Touring Car competitor Eric Gené, son of Jordi Gené, who achieved considerable success in single-seater and touring car racing.

“It’s an honour to be here in Valencia, it’s a great experience and one of my favourite tracks,” Gené (above) said. “My father raced here 10 years ago so he could tell me a few things, but the most important part is to enjoy it, concentrate during the race and not make any mistakes.”

Rally2 driver Alejandro Cachón added: “It’s incredible for me to be here at this amazing event. I hope to do my best and take a gold medal for the Spanish federation. For sure I feel pressure, but I like it and it’s a lot of fun.” 

Spain’s FIA Motorsport Games medal haul has already begun with José Antonio Suárez and Alberto Iglesias winning Rally2 Gravel gold yesterday (Friday) in a Škoda Fabia Rally2 and Sergi Pérez and Axel Coronado doing likewise in Rally4 Gravel gold in a Peugeot 208 Rally2.