Luis García Abad: “Sainz or Alonso could be champions with the right material”

The general director of the Formula 1 Tag Heuer Grand Prix of Spain, Luis García Abad, commented this Wednesday that with “the right material” Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz “could be world champions”, but that in Formula 1 it is “very difficult to be competitive”, he has also referred to the Catalunya GP as a “friendly” Grand Prix.

“Both Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz have a weight deficit in their cars, but there you have to look at the team and not the drivers. It is very difficult to be competitive in Formula 1, it is technical excellence. Either of the two, with the right material, could be champions,” said the general director of the Madrid Grand Prix at the Europa Press Sports Breakfasts organized with the collaboration of Amix, Comunidad de Madrid, Joma, Loterías y Apuestas del Estado, Mondo and the UCJC.

García Abad confessed that he does not know if Alonso is going to continue, but he believes that what he is doing now, at 45 years old, “fighting with dignity”, is “enviable.” “Many times being competitive when you don’t have a good car is even more recognizable. Everyone in the paddock knows who is the best,” he stressed.

The manager highlighted the importance of having two Spanish drivers in F1. “When we don’t have them we are going to miss them a lot. F1 races are not just about drivers, they are also about cars. They don’t win because they don’t have a car. The drivers are that support part, they attract an important percentage of the public. But as a promoter I also like the spectators who come to see Norris, Verstappen…”, he expressed.

Fernando Alonso’s former manager assured that Spain needs “more boys and girls in karting.” “I am certain that we are going to work to make it happen when the opportunity arises. We have to optimize the resources available to athletes,” he alleged.

As for the Madring, he noted that many pilots have come to see it and that they have “conversations” with them. “We have a line to follow, and as a result of the Ferrari test we have made two suggestions. Everything has to go in the right direction and we have to promote the spectacle. Anyone who comes has everything they need to enjoy the circuit,” he said, while hoping that it would not rain during the Grand Prix.

Finally, he referred to the GP Catalunya as a “friendly” Grand Prix. “We went to ask for the Madrid Grand Prix and we stayed with the Spanish GP. We talk frequently and I am glad that they are still in the World Cup. To organize the GP we have brought the Australian logistics team to help. Everyone will come to Madrid to see the GP and gossip, like I go to their Grand Prix,” he joked.