Macau’s first post-COVID-19 pandemic FIA Formula 3 World Cup, one of its signature races, has been confirmed for next month’s 70th Macau Grand Prix (MGP), Sports Bureau (ID) President Pun Weng Kun said yesterday, who noted during a press conference that both the FIA Formula 3 and FIA GT World Cups will also be held in Macau in the next two years, “thanks to the support and trust from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)”.
Due to the pandemic, the F3 World Cup race in Macau was suspended between 2020 and last year.
Macau confirmed its first COVID-19 case in January 2020. The local government began to gradually loosen its COVID-19 control and prevention measures late last year.
Pun said that this year’s six-day Grand Prix will take place on November 11-12 and November 16-19, comprising the Formula Macau Grand Prix – FIA F3 World Cup, Macau GT Cup – FIA GT World Cup, Macau Guia Race – Kumho TCR World Tour event of Macau and the 55th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, among others of the “world’s leading races” once again taking place on the Guia Circuit, adding that in commemorating its 70th anniversary, this year’s Grand Prix will also feature a raft of celebratory activities, including a “family carnival” and a racing car and motorcycle show, as well as the “Celebrating the 70th Macau Grand Prix – Guia Circuit Fun Run”.
According to an ID statement on Sunday, registration for the 6.2-kilometre run along the Guia Circuit, starting and finishing at the Macau Grand Prix Building in the Outer Harbour area, which will start at 6:30 a.m. next Sunday (November 5), is now full.
Pun, who made the remarks during and after the press conference at the Macau Science Centre in Nape, pointed out that “the annual international sporting event in our city” was also a platform from which to promote Macau, adding he expected the Grand Prix to once again bring the world’s attention to Macau and enhance its reputation as a city of tourism, while highlighting its cosmopolitan community. Thereby, Pun said, the MGP is promoting the development of Macau’s tourism industry and its cultural and creative, catering, retail and sport sectors.
Pun also said he believes that thanks to the upcoming Grand Prix featuring 11 kinds of races, “no doubt, Macau will be filled with excitement throughout the month of November”.
This year’s Grand Prix is once again sponsored by the city’s six integrated resort (IR) operators, in addition to other enterprises.
Pun told reporters after the press conference that the Grand Prix Organising Committee has received many ticketing enquiries from overseas, adding that more than 80 percent of the tickets for the final races during the last two days (November 18-19) have so far been sold, showing an “ideal” attendance rate of this year’s event which would help promote the image of Macau as a tourist city.
Asked by the media about the event’s budget, Pun said that the budget would be strictly controlled and not exceed its planned expenditure.
Pun had previously announced a budget of about 260 million patacas.
Meanwhile, according to the press conference, the Macau Formula 4 Race, TCR Asia Challenge, Greater Bay Area GT Cup (GT3), Greater Bay Area GT Cup (GT4) and the Macau Roadsport Challenge will be held on the weekend of November 11-12, while the FIA F3 World Cup, FIA GT World Cup, Macau Guia Race, Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, Macau Touring Car Cup and Macau Grand Prix 70th Anniversary Challenge will be held during the event’s second segment, from November 16-19, including two days of qualifying races on November 16-17.
A raft of top drivers and riders competing in next month’s races such as Britain’s Dan Ticktum who, according to the press conference, is hoping to become the only triple F3 MGP winner in the history of the race. The press conference also singled out 16-year-old Ugo Ugochukwu from the US, who has won 14 F4 races this season, and Dutchman Richard Verschoor, winner of Macau’s F3 race in 2019.
According to the press conference, the Guia Race sees the return of nine-time champion Rob Huff of the UK and newly crowned 2023 TCR Europe Champion Tom Coronel of the Netherlands.
Swiss-Italian Edoardo Mortara, known as “Mr Macau”, returns in the FIA GT World Cup, the press conference pointed out. He has 10 wins in Macau from 2008 to 2017 in F3 and GT races, according to Wikipedia.
The “top-notch” entry for the 55th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, according to the press conference, includes Britain’s Michael Rutter and Peter Hickman as well as female rider Nadieh Schoots from the Netherlands.
The Macau Grand Prix Family Carnival, featuring a simulated Guia Circuit and a mini racing track, will be held at Praça do Tap Seac next weekend, while the 70th Macau Grand Prix Auto Show will be held at the square from November 10-12.
Sports Bureau (ID) President Pun Weng Kun delivers a speech during yesterday’s press conference about next month’s 70th Macau Grand Prix, at the Macau Science Centre in Nape. – Photo: Yuki Lei
