The unveiling of Superleague Formula's first Spanish club in Sevilla this week has proven to be a major success with the fans, footballers, the local media and some of Spain's hottest young racing drivers voicing their support for the championship.
The club's 750 horsepower, V12-powered Superleague Formula car was revealed to the local media on Thursday and the fans had their turn tonight at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium. Sevilla fought out a tough 1-1 draw over major rivals Barcelona FC.
Sevilla's red and white Superleague Formula car has been a winner at newsstands across Spain, with the car featured on the front page of major newspapers AS, El Diario de Sevilla and El Mundo.
Leading drivers are excited at the possibility of driving the Elan Motorsport Technologies-built, Menard Competition Technologies-powered machine.
Andy Soucek and Borja Garcia have been key contenders in the GP2 championship in recent years. The Spanish pair drove for DPR and Durango respectively in the Formula 1 support series last year and both are keen to represent Sevilla in Superleague Formula.
"Well I heard about the Championship a few years ago and I had some chats with Alex Andreu - it all looks really exciting," Soucek said.
"It has been a very big boom now here in Spain, everybody is talking about it and I was called to be a possible and future driver for the Championship. I believe it's a very good idea after finishing my GP2 season to start with Superleague Formula.
"It's a big car with a big engine and it's also very good training for me, it'll be a big show for everybody who's going to look at the races.
"The good thing about the car is that it has no traction control or power steering so it makes it even more difficult for the driver. It's going to be really exciting to drive the car and to watch the races because we will see a lot of power sliding and good overtaking.
"I am from Madrid so Real Madrid is my favourite club but Sevilla absolutely is a very equal club in Spain. There is a big fight between Madrid and Barcelona but Sevilla is really loved by everybody in Spain so absolutely, I would love to defend the colours of this club."
Both drivers took the opportunity to climb aboard the Sevilla car at Thursday's launch. Superleague Formula will hit the track for the first time next month when testing begins at England's Donington Park circuit – the venue for the opening round of the championship in August.
"I believe it's an interesting competition, to join football and formula cars, I think it will be a good introduction to motor racing for new fans," Garcia said.
"It would be great to get the opportunity to drive this car because I am Spanish and Sevilla is Spanish - I think it would be great to fight with these colours and this club.
"It will be important to get good results because the fans of Sevilla of course want to push to win the championship."
While Sevilla has claimed major silverware in Europe in recent years with its pair of UEFA Cup titles, the southern Spanish club will compete in Superleague Formula against other leading European teams including AC Milan, Olympiacos, FC Porto, PSV Eindhoven, RSC Anderlecht, Borussia Dortmund, FC Basel, Galatasaray SK plus Brazilian rivals Flamengo and Corinthians.
In total, 20 football clubs will be represented on the grid, fighting it out for 1 million Euro prizemoney at every race weekend.
Superleague Formula President and CEO, Alex Andreu, was delighted with the response to the Sevilla launch.
"We knew Sevilla was excited about the opportunity to join Superleague Formula but the response has really exceeded our expectations," Andreu said.
"The media reaction on Thursday was incredible and the fans are very passionate and keen to see their car challenge for the title.
"The grid is filling fast and we have some very exciting announcements in the weeks ahead – we feel a real sense of momentum at the moment. Everyone is also very keen to see the car run for the first time. Donington will be a perfect venue for that because it is also the site for our first race."
- Paul Ryan- photos Superleague
