The return of the champions
Raffaele Marciello (L) and Edoardo Mortara [C] and Maro Engel [R]
One of the biggest surprises yet of this year’s edition of the Macau Grand Prix (GP) is the return of several GT cars’ former winners to the Macau GT Cup.
While it was already expected that reigning champion and two-time winner, Hong Kong racer Darryl O’Young, would wish to return to defend his title, it was a pleasant surprise to realize that several other GT race champions are among those listed to race this year, including the four-time winner Edoardo Mortara, two-time winner Maro Engel and 2019 winner Raffaele Marciello.
Darryl O’Young
As the most successful driver of the Guia Circuit, Mortara – also known as “Mr. Macau” – is returning once again this year to the local Grand Prix to attempt another record-breaking performance.
The 35-year-old racer, who is of Swiss, Italian, and French heritage, is returning this year to compete in the Macau GT Cup behind the wheel of an Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II from Absolute Racing. The last time Mortara won in Macau was back in 2017.
O’Young will return at the wheel of the same Mercedes-AMG run by Hong Kong-based Craft-Bamboo Racing and will team up with Maro Engel in a similar machine to make a bid for the podium.
Marciello, at the wheel of another Mercedes-AMG GT3 but from the Chinese Toro Racing Team, will have the same goal in mind. His team also includes Min Heng and Alexandre Imperatori, who will, however, be driving Porsches GT3 R.
The only Ferrari in the field will be driven by Chen Wei An, who is returning in the only 488 GT3 EVO on the grid.
The 16-car field is split across six manufacturers, with the two most successful brands of GT cars at Guia predominating. Audi and Mercedes-AMG will have a five-car field each, followed by Lamborghini and Porsche with two each.
GT cars will drive out onto the track today for the free practice sessions, returning tomorrow for two qualifying sessions and again on Saturday for the 8-lap Race 1.
The final 12-lap Race 2 will start on Sunday at 1:05 p.m.
