Season 2009 has not finished yet, but it can already be considered extraordinary for Nyck De Vries (Zanardi-Parilla/Chiesa Corse) in KF3. Crowned European Karting Champion, the Dutch junior maintained his German Champion title and repeated his prowess in the very hard-fought WSK International series. And it was again on the Spanish circuit of Zuera that he conquered this title and added yet another success to his already very eloquent list of victories.
In the paddocks and over the stands of the karting circuit, no superlative was spared in describing Nyck De Vries' brilliant performances since his debut in KF3. This 14-year old phenomenal karter continues to stamp his authority on a discipline which is considered the breeding ground for future race car drivers. "Nyck has always impressed me" stressed Dino Chiesa, his well-known Italian team manager "but the things he has done over the last few months are really incredible". Not to mention that the alchemy between the kart and the driver is just as perfect as his driving ability on track. The Dutch karter leaves nothing to chance and this is how he makes the difference and stands out from his competitors from timed qualifying to the final.
Held in Spain on the Zuera track (near Saragossa), the sixth of seven WSK rounds was anticipated as a tight competition. Sure, De Vries went back to the top of the ranking after his victory in France, in July, but Russian Kvyat and Spanish Sainz hoped they could reverse the trend. On Saturday morning, Nyck took a psychological advantage by conquering the pole in 1'01"672, a better time than all those set in this summer's European Championship, held on this same circuit. The Chiesa Corse driver's supremacy continued in the qualifying heats: three races, three victories and as many best laps.
In the pre-final, Sainz made the best start but De Vries reacted quickly. After he took control leading the pack, he never stopped increasing his advantage and finished with a 6 second gap over his Spanish rival. "The final was hard but I did not give up an inch of ground, because I knew I had a good chance to gain the championship" Nyck commented. "In the end, I even managed to escape and win". After this final phase marked by two victories and two best laps, Nyck received the good news... He will not have to wait until the last WSK round in Italy because his advantage in the Championship is solid enough to allow him to win the title already.
"The Zuera track definitely suits me. It is here that I became 2009 European Champion, I conquered the WSK in 2008 and I won again this series I really like, because it includes several races and requires both speed and regularity. My thanks go to Dino Chiesa, Zanardi, Iame and Tom, my mechanic, for all the support they give me". For Nyck De Vries, the World Cup he has recently lost for a little mechanical problem is nothing more than a bad memory. |
