A quartet of second-generation stars – Magnussen, Wurz, Coronel and Gene – are set to race for gold medal glory for their nation at the 2024 FIA Motorsport Games next month in Valencia.
Luca Magnussen, Oscar Wurz, Rocco Coronel and Eric Gene each come from families with incredible racing pedigrees. The young stars will compete in Karting Senior, Formula 4, Karting Junior and Touring Car.
Magnussen is the younger brother of current Haas Formula 1 driver Kevin Magnussen. The 15-year-old is looking to follow in the footsteps of not only his big brother but also his father, Jan.
Jan Magnussen’s career included a World Karting Championship title in 1990, a barnstorming championship-winning British Formula 3 campaign in 1994, 24 Formula 1 starts, and a legendary sports car career, which included four 24 Hours of Le Mans class victories, a Daytona 24 Hour win, and four IMSA championship victories.
“Representing Denmark is an amazing opportunity, and I’m really looking forward to racing at the FIA Motorsport Games,” Luca Magnussen said.
“I’ve been really fortunate to be able to lean on my Dad and my brother’s experience. My Dad is not like a lot of other karting Dads. He is very calm, and that trait is very important for me in karting.
“But once you are out on track, it’s all up to me. It doesn’t matter what my family has done in the past; I’m writing my own story now, and I’ll be working super hard to help Denmark add to its medal tally.”
Oscar Wurz enters the 2024 FIA Motorsport Games claiming victory in the FIA CEZ Formula 4 championship – the central Europe F4 series, which includes races in Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, and the Slovak Republic.
The son of F1 star and two-time Le Mans winner, Alex Wurz, Oscar will contest the FIA Motorsport Games for the second time. After competing in Karting Senior in 2022, the Austrian will compete for gold in the Formula 4 category in Valencia.
Oscar Wurz also will follow in the footsteps of his brother Charlie who finished sixth in Formula 4 at the 2022 FIA Motorsport Games.
“I’m super happy to be able to represent Austria at the FIA Motorsport Games in Formula 4,” Wurz said.
“It’s really special to be able to race in this event, and I’ll do my absolute best to make Austria proud.”
The Coronel name is set to compete in the FIA Motorsport Games for the third time this year. Tom Coronel has led the charge for Team Netherlands in both 2019 and 2022 – winning the gold medal for touring cars in Marseille in 2022.
Coronel’s son Rocco is now about to follow in his father’s footsteps to represent Team Netherlands in Karting Junior this year.
Tom Coronel’s decorated career has included international championship wins in touring cars, ten starts at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, championship success in Formula 3 and Formula Nippon in Japan as well as regular outings in the Dakar Rally with his twin brother, Tim.
Rocco Coronel was always destined to be a racing driver – not only is his father a famous racing star, his mother Paulien Zwart was also a racing driver.
Big things are expected for the 13-year-old Coronel. He has just been signed as a Red Bull Junior Driver.
“I am very excited to do the FIA Motorsport Games. I was there in Marseille when Dad won his gold medal in touring cars and I told him I really wanted to compete at the event,” Coronel said.
“I will be working hard to follow in Dad’s footsteps and chase a gold medal for Team Netherlands. This will be one of my last karting races before stepping up to cars as Red Bull Junior driver.
“I also have my birthday and turn 14 during the games so it will be a very exciting time for me in Spain.”
Eric Gene is set to represent the “home team” at the FIA Motorsport Games in the Touring Car category. The second-generation Spaniard is competing in TCR Europe and TCR Spain in 2024 and will complete his season as the local representative competing at Circuit Ricardo Tormo.
Gene’s father Jordi and uncle Marc were both rising stars for Spain in the late 80s, early 90s. Jordi climbed the ranks through British Formula 3 and contested three seasons in Formula 3000. He was a regular star in the European and World Touring Car Championship and has a 24 Hours of Le Mans class win to his credit.
The younger brother Marc made it all the way to Formula 1 and was a long-time test driver for Ferrari. He won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Peugeot in 2009.
“I’m very proud to represent Spain and take part in the FIA Motorsport Games,” Gene said.
“It’s very exciting for me that the event is going to take place in Valencia. To be able to race with all the support of the local fans will be brilliant.”
The FIA Motorsport Games will feature 27 different categories in 2024, with events scheduled for Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Aspar Circuit, the architecturally spectacular City of Arts and Sciences, and the surrounding mountainous roads near Valencia, which will host the rally stages.
The event will be staged next month from October 23-28.
Tickets to attend the FIA Motorsport Games 2024 are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here. A three-day pass will give fans access to all venues, while those under the age of 16 are admitted free of charge. Take advantage of the special offer of a weekend ticket for just €20.
Source : Fia
