Frijns takes title as Formula BMW Europe bows out.

Monza, 12 September 2010.  Robin Frijns is a fighter and it was this indomitable spirit that saw him snatch the third and final Formula BMW Europe title in the very last race of the last weekend for the series. He came to Monza on the back foot and went away with the trophy.

Jack Harvey, who had been his nemesis all season, was leading by seven points at the start of the weekend.  Then the Brit took pole for both races and extended this to nine. However, in Robin’s own words, ‘anything can happen in Monza’ and it did. Harvey was stranded in the gravel trap on lap two after a collision caused by another driver, and Frijns came back from a lowly eighth on the grid to take the race one win. The Dutch driver was then 21 points ahead rather than nine behind. Race two was almost academic as from sixth on the grid he had to finish eighth or higher if Harvey won. He did this – he was third and Harvey first. Job done.

His journey to this coveted prize started on the 8th May 2009 when, as a winner of a BMW Junior scholarship, he had his first ever single seater race in Barcelona.  He was one of a set of Rookies who were contesting the series for the first time, and by the end of the year he had not only won a race, but also the Rookie Cup. This meant he had a second year of backing from BMW and the chance to battle for the overall crown.

In 2010 it was obvious from race one, again in Barcelona, the battle was going to be between Frijns and Harvey, who had met for the first time years before in karting. However, this time Harvey took the lead from race one and never gave that up until round 15 in Monza. As the two youngsters lined up in Monza it was six wins to Harvey and five to Frijns and all to play for.  After race one it was six all and then in race two it was seven six to Harvey.

Like any driver he has had his ups and downs this season and his own personal thoughts on what has happened are:  “My low of the season was in the first race in Barcelona as I crashed, but it wasn’t my fault. The high was I would say Zandvoort in the rain as I won by eight seconds and I was really fast. However, I had a lot of highs as I won six races and the first one in Monza was special as I needed to win that to keep me in the championship. I still can’t take it in that I have won, but as soon as I get home I know it will sink in.”

This was his second year with Josef Kaufmann Racing and he has made quite an impression on them as Lars Kaufmann explained: “We first heard about him when his mother called us in 2008 about giving him a test. We put him in the car and he was fast from the first lap and really impressive. Last year he was our Rookie and he was very good, finishing his first ever race fourth and going on to win the Rookie Cup. This year didn’t have a good start with the crash that was not his fault in the tricky conditions in Barcelona. We have been behind all year trying to catch up, but then yesterday we took over the lead of the championship. I think today was the most difficult race of the season and stressful, as we knew we had to be in the top eight for the championship. He raced brilliantly and I think he deserves to win the championship. He has been a lot of fun to work with.”

Frijns was born on the 7th August 1991 in Maastricht but has since moved with his family to Warsage in Belgium. He started competing in 1999 in karting and the wins came thick and fast. His successes include the VAS Championship, the Belgian Kadet Class Championship, the French Championship, the European KF2 Championship and runner up spot in the French and Belgian championships.

In his own words, he loves hanging out with his friends and also spends a lot of time in the Netherlands as he does some driver coaching and can often found behind the wheel of a kart. He also has a nephew who is not much older than him also racing but in a Porsche. However, away from the track his hobbies include snowboarding, golf and fitness training. 

He is very clear about what he wants to do in life – he wants to be the very first Dutch Formula 1 champion. Also he is his own worst critic as if he is seldom satisfied with his own achievements so keeps pushing himself. Also it should come as no surprise his favourite track is one of the greatest in the world – Spa-Francorchamps – and his favourite driver is a true legend – Ayrton Senna.

He is now ready for the next step on his career ladder. He is still deliberating what it will be, but it is certain he will be standing on the top step of many more podiums and even lifting up more championship trophies.