FIA’s Circuit Championships director Frederic Bertrand, surrounded by journalists
In an edition that is marked by the 50th Anniversary of the Macau’s Motorcycle Grand Prix, the biggest highlight goes to the return of two-time Formula 3 Champion Felix Rosenqvist.
The Swedish will attempt to be the first three-time winner of the Guia Circuit F3 race and the first ever driver to lift the FIA F3 World Cup trophy on November 20.
Rosenqvist was called to return when his successor, European champion Lance Stroll, confirmed last weekend in Imola that he would not be competing in Macau.
Rosenqvist will partner Nick Cassidy and Maximilian Gunther at local flag team Theodore Racing.
Another unexpected return will be of Daniel Juncadella (2011 winner) replacing British-born Ben Barnicoat.
According to FIA’s Circuit Championships director Frederic Bertrand, this year’s event meets all the criteria to be “at least as good or even better than previous editions.”
Bertrand was speaking on the sidelines of yesterday’s press conference at the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf, held by the organizing committee to present this year’s race program.
Regarding the absence of Lance Stroll, he said, “We regret that he is not here. I think he has some other things to attend and we hope [wish] him the best in future.”
“The entry list is great. If you see the number of drivers that are coming back after already winning the race… They want to be here again because of this World Cup title and we are having the number two, three, four and five of the European Championship, which means that the fight will be very hard,” he continued.
Bertrand also reaffirmed that everything is being prepared and that the people working on the field both from FIA and locally are well-trained and capable.
Questioned on the topic of the change to Pirelli tyres, Bertrand said: “We are linked to a very fair process of tender to choose a supplier and Pirelli won the process.” “Yokohama’s bid was a little bit less interesting for the drivers. We do everything to help the driver to come and that means that the tyres are for free,” he added.
As for the lists of entrants for the 50th edition of the Motorcycle Grand Prix, no novelties are expected besides the confirmation that this year’s field will include five previous winners, including defending champion Peter Hickman, eight-time winner Michael Rutter, four-time winner Stuart Easton, 2013 winner Ian Hutchinson and the 2001 champion and Isle of Man TT legend John McGuinness.
Like the 2015 edition, the region will be represented through
local CF Racing Team 32, which will include South African Allann-Jon Venter.
To mark the anniversary of the half-century old motorcycle GP, the organizing committee will hold a series of activities that will include a Classic Motorcycle Show and a Classic Motorcycle Parade, to be held on November 19.
According to the organizing committee, three old-time stars were also invited to attend this year’s edition: 1977 and 1984 winner Mick Grant, 1996 winner Phillip McCallen, and 2006 and 2007 winner Steve Plater.
A special series of t-shirts, jackets and gloves done in collaboration with local designer house “Workers Playground” were also specially produced and presented yesterday.
The racing program this year abandoned the concept of a “Celebrity Cup Race”, which has reduced the program to seven races.
Formula 3 and the GT World Cup will be the headliners, together with the Macau Guia Race 2.0T and the Motorcycle GP. There will also be three support races: the Macau Touring Car Cup, the Road Sport Challenge and the Chinese Racing Cup.
The Macau Grand Prix will take place between November 17 to 20.
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