FIA to accredit Macau F3, GT Grand Prix for three years

Global car-racing authority Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has agreed to accredit the local F3 and GT races for the next three years, Director of Sports Pun Weng Kun said yesterday.

Pun, also the coordinator for the Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee (MGPOC), made the disclosure on the sidelines of the GP press conference yesterday afternoon. He added that the decision was based upon the FIA’s trust in the Guia Circuit and the program arrangements.

Although not attending in person, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem also made reference to the decision in a video he had recorded for the occasion.

Dutchman Richard Verschoor, winner of the race in 2019, returns to the category from the FIA F2 Championship to defend his title. Other drivers returning to F3 from F2 are promising Czech driver Roman Staněk and Red Bull Juniors Zane Maloney, the first Barbadian to race in Macau, and Frenchman Isack Hadjar.

The F2 hopefuls are joined by a host of drivers from the 2023 FIA F3 Championship field, with front-runners, Ferrari Driver Academy Swede Dino Beganovic, Italian Gabriele Minì and Pau Aron, among other skillful racers.

Leading the charge of drivers looking for their first Macau GT Cup win is French Mercedes Factory driver Jules Gounon, Reigning DTM champion Sheldon van der Linde, Porsche factory stars Kevin Estre and Thomas Preining, New Zealander Earl Bamber, Mercedes driver Daniel Juncadella and Ferrari factory ace Daniel Serra, among other stars. Ferrari will be seeking the factory’s first Macau FIA GT World Cup title.

Celebrating its 70th edition, this year’s event will be held in two separate weeks – from Nov. 11 to 12 and 16 to 19.

There will be five races over the first weekend, including Macau Formula 4 Race; TCR Asia Challenge; Greater Bay Area GT Cup (GT3); Greater Bay Area GT Cup (GT4); and the Macau Roadsport Challenge.

The second weekend will see an even more packed schedule, including the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix – FIA F3 World Cup; Macau GT Cup – FIA GT World Cup; Macau Guia Race – Kumho TCR World Tour Event of Macau; Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – 55th Edition; Macau Touring Car Cup – China Touring Car Championship; and Macau Grand Prix 70th Anniversary Challenge.

Several supplemental events will be held alongside the main races. The Macau Grand Prix Family Carnival will be held at Tap Seac Square from Nov 4 to 5, featuring a simulated Guia Circuit and a mini racing track catering to a younger audience, who, through the activities, will be able to learn more about motorsports. The “Celebrating the 70th Macau Grand Prix – Guia Circuit Fun Run presented by Bank of China” will be held on Nov. 5. Runners on the 6.2km-long Guia Circuit will experience the track racing on foot.

The 70th Macau Grand Prix Auto Show will be held at Tap Seac Square from Nov. 10 to 12, allowing the public to witness the racing cars and motorcycles up close. In addition, to further promote racing culture, the 70th Macau Grand Prix Photography Contest will be held once again.

As well as receiving sponsorship and support from the six integrated resort operators in Macau and other businesses, the event also successfully promotes cooperation with various local and overseas organizations from different sectors. They will jointly launch a variety of products to link the GP with the promotion and development of the sports industry, and to enhance the social and economic benefits sporting events bring, the MGPOC said in a statement.