Chang, Engel emerge victorious in Macau GP

Maro Engel (front) of Germany drives during the Macao GT Cup race at the 69th Macao Grand Prix, Saturday (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

Local favorite Andy Chang turned in a dominant performance to win the 2022 Macau Grand Prix today (Sunday).

Gerrard Xie had led the early stages of the race around the Guia Circuit, but Chang passed the driver of Hong Kong, China on Lap 6, and thereafter pulled away to register a dominant victory around his home city’s streets.

Fellow Macau racer Leong Hon Chio, who had won the previous two editions of the Macau Grand Prix, completed the top three in Sunday’s main event.

Earlier in the day, Germany’s Maro Engel took victory for Craft-Bamboo Racing Mercedes in Sunday’s Macau GT Cup.Starting from pole position after having won Race 1 yesterday, Engel lost the lead after a close battle with Rafaelle Marciello at the start, but regained it on Lap 2 when Marciello pulled off with an apparent mechanical issue.

A subsequent Safety Car period to clear a stricken car from the circuit meant the race ended with a two-lap dash to the flag, with Engel able to keep Audi’s Edoardo Mortara at bay to score his third victory around the streets of Macau, having previously won in 2014 and 2015.

“It feels amazing to get another main race win,” said Engel.
“We came close on many occasions throughout the years but never quite got it done. To do it with Craft-Bamboo Racing, which is Hong Kong-based, is amazing.

“It was definitely more challenging than expected with Raffaele. He made a great start and we were side-by-side.
“I knew I had to do everything I could to stay close and put pressure on him. I’m not sure what happened [to him] but obviously we’re very happy with this win.”

Mortara settled for second place, having climbed from fourth on the grid, while Alex Imperatori rounded out the podium places in his Porsche. MDT/Xinhua