Sandro Bellio on repeat and claims FIA Top Methanol title number three
Sandro Bellio claimed his third FIA European Top Methanol Championship in style with a victory in a ‘winner takes it all’ final of the European Finals. It must have been a déjà vu feeling for the Belgian drivers as he clinched his 2022 title in exactly the same way by defeating Jonny Lagg in the last run of the season. At the halfway point of the season, the title seemed to be out of reach for the family run Danny’s Racing Team, but after a great comeback, the title race went down to the wire with still five drivers in contention for the 2025 crown. Time to look back with the champion on another difficult but in the end successful season.
In 2019 Sandro Bellio claimed his first FIA European Top Methanol Championship, being the first driver from Belgium in history to win an FIA European title. After another title in 2022, Bellio finished second in 2023 and third in 2024. With winning the 2024 European Finals, Bellio started the new season as one of the favourites.
The family run Danny’s Racing Team started the season with the number one qualifying position at The Main Event, but in eliminations, Bellio was defeated in the semi-finals by Jonny Lagg. At Tierp Arena Bellio had to start the eliminations from fourth position, won his first round, but was then defeated by the other A-Fuel Team Sweden driver, Tony Bryntesson. At the halfway point of the season, Bellio was the number three in the ranking, no fewer than 56 points behind the number one. At the NitrOlympX, Bellio qualified fifth, but this time he advanced to the final and although he lost to Silvio Strauch, Bellio suddenly was the new leader in the title race. With the European Finals to go, there were still five drivers in contention for the 2025 crown. With a 5.52-second ET Bellio claimed the number two qualifying position and with advancing to the final, he kept his championship dreams alive. Once again Bellio had to face Lagg in the final and the winner would also clinch the 2025 FIA European Top Methanol Championship. In a thrilling final, Bellio crossed the finish line first, 0.028 seconds (!) ahead of Lagg, claiming the Euro Finals win and the title!
After 2019 and 2022 this is your third FIA European Top Methanol title. Was this the best so far or the most difficult or unexpected one?
The best part of course, was winning the championship. Because there were only four races, there was hardly any room for mistakes. The hardest part was getting everything ready for the last race, as the final was the weekend immediately after Hockenheim.
How do you look back at last season?
The drag racing season is always the highlight of the year and we really enjoyed it so much.
During the season there were some moments a new title seemed to be out of reach. Did you still always kept the faith it would be possible?
Our motto is, never give up, buckle down and go for it. If you don’t think like that, you shouldn’t be competing.
The final of the European Finals was a ‘winner takes it all’ run, the winner would also claim the title. How difficult was it to go into that run?
This final run was a carbon copy of 2022, where we also had to win the final to claim the title. At such a moment you have to control your nerves and do you what you have to do.
What was your best race?
Our best race was the final.
What was the most important race for winning the title?
Before Hockenheim, we were a few elimination rounds behind the number one in the championship. Because we were able to advance to the final there, we were the new leader, but less than one round ahead of Jonny Lagg. We started the last race of the season with still five teams in contention for the title. Our qualifying performance was rather poor, which left us in second position on the elimination ladder. Our main rivals were all on the other side of the ladder.
Most proud of in 2025?
The perfect teamwork, despite all the setbacks, the team never gave up and sometimes it’s amazing how much work can be done in a short time.
Toughest moment of the season?
Before The Main Event, we tested during the test-and-tune day, and the runs looked good. However, during the first qualifying run, a few lifters were damaged, so we had to swap engines. Thanks to Joeri from Technomotion, who had new lifters for us, we were able to start the season anyway.
Toughest competitor(s) in 2025?
Everyone in our class has a chance to become champion. You shouldn’t underestimate anyone. You are your own biggest opponent, and you must try to perform as consistently as possible.
How where the reactions after winning the title?
A lot of people were happy for us and we were followed en masse. We got far more reactions with this third title.
People/companies you want to thank?
We would like to thanks DynoUnlimited for testing our engine and Danny Cars for making this all possible. Joeri from Technomotion, Molinari, our good friend Joe, Brad Anderson, Manton and Sebastiaan from JE Pistons. We would also like to thank all our fans for their unwavering support. We look forward to the coming season, and as always, we’ll will do our very best to make the impossible possible. See you at the track.
Text and photos: Remco Scheelings
