Superleague Formula's first Spanish football club was officially launched today with two-time UEFA Cup champions Sevilla FC unveiling the 750 horsepower, V12-powered machine that will carry the hopes of the club's fans in the new championship.
The red and white machine was unveiled by club coach Manolo Jiménez and President José María del Nido with a selection of key players in attendance at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.
The Spanish media were given an advance look at the car that will be presented to the fans on Saturday night at Sevilla's match against FC Barcelona.
Sevilla joins other leading European clubs including AC Milan, Olympiacos, FC Porto, PSV Eindhoven, Borussia Dortmund, RSC Anderlecht, FC Basel and Galatasaray SK plus Brazilian rivals Flamengo and Corinthians.
When Superleague Formula kicks off at Donington Park in the UK in August this year, a total of 20 leading teams will be represented – each fighting it out for 1 million euro prizemoney at each of the six championship rounds.
"That’s an initiative that all the fans are going to love, because it combines the main features of the sports: the emotion and the feelings," said Sevilla FC Coach, Manolo Jiménez.
"To combine motor sports and football it’s a very, very interesting thing and it has all the ingredients to become a success".
Sevilla enter this week's home game against Barcelona on a high after scoring a 2-1 away victory Recreativo Huelva.
The Sevilla announcement comes at an exciting time for Superleague Formula. Sevilla and Corinthians were announced as the latest signings last week and the first Menard Competition Technologies design and built engine is due to be installed into the first Elan Motorsports Technologies Panoz chassis in the next few weeks.
Sevilla FC's fans are not going to be the only passionate supporters of the club's Superleague Formula entry, the club's players are also eagerly awaiting the debut of the car.
"Football is my job, but I have loved motor sport always," club captain Javi Navarro said.
"I have always loved driving, and the idea of putting together football and motor sport on a track is like a great cocktail, a cocktail which promises strong emotions."
Sevilla is eargerly awaiting the challenge against Barcelona on Saturday night after scoring a pair of draws in Copa Del Rey competition in January. Barcelona were also the club Sevilla defeated to claim the UEFA Super Cup in 2006 – claiming a 3-0 victory in Monaco.
"Super League Formula has all the ingredients to be attractive to the fans," said right wing, Jesús Navas said.
"Knowing how the Sevilla fans are, they love everything related with their club, I´m sure they will throw themselves into the races. Compete against other powerful clubs from Europe and from all around the world will make people follow the championship."
- Paul Ryan- photos Superleague
