At just 11 years old, Gil Membrado first got behind the wheel of a rallies car, following in the footsteps of XEVI Pons. Two years later, at 13, he made his debut in Latvia, a feat that emulates two-time world champion Kalle Rovanperä. The Spanish federation allowed him to start competing in Spain a couple of seasons ago, shortly after turning 15. Daniel Alonso, who was initially mentored by Fernando Alonso, signed Membrado when he was just 16, and he quickly rose to driving a Ford Fiesta Rally2. By the end of the season, he was winning sections and making his way onto podiums.
Today, at 17 years and four months, Gil Membrado has won his first national rally in Cáceres, adding another impressive chapter to his already remarkable biography. Carlos Sainz has even called him “the clearest promise of motor racing in Spain in the world of rallies.” Membrado’s mentor, Dani Balasch, who is a driving instructor for the RACC and was part of Carlos Sainz’s junior team, has been instrumental in his development. It was through Balasch’s connection with Juanjo Lacalle that Sainz learned about Membrado’s talents, and he has been closely guiding him ever since.
Sainz and Membrado recently shared a test in Madrid, where they exchanged notes and advice. Membrado’s victory in Cáceres is a testament to the hard work and dedication that Sainz has been investing in his young pupil. As Membrado continues to break records and defy expectations, he is drawing comparisons to Rovanperä, who is known for his precocious talent. With Sainz’s guidance and support, Membrado is pushing the boundaries of what is possible for a driver of his age.
The youngest as always
Dani Sordo debuted in the mountain at 16 and won his first national rally at 20. Until now, ‘Rocket’ Suárez held the record as the youngest winner of a Spanish Earth Championship, also at 20. Membrado, however, has achieved this feat at just 17, and he still doesn’t even have a driving license – he can’t take the test until he turns 18 at the end of October. As he begins his second campaign in the top division of Spanish motor racing, Membrado is already leading the National Earth championship, with his sights set on the World Cup.
When Membrado’s father, Josep Mª Membrado, a Catalan Rallies Pluricampeón, enrolled him in a summer karting camp run by Fernando Alonso, he inadvertently set off a countdown to greatness. Now, as Membrado approaches the age of majority, he continues to take the lead in his own race against time. With each passing day, he is combining his future plans with his present successes, and it’s clear that time is very much on his side.