‘Ultimate goal is to make the MGP brand even better’
Sports Bureau (ID) President Luís Gomes announced yesterday that the 71st Macau Grand Prix (MGP) will be held from November 14 to 17, and that a new car specification – Formula Regional (FR) – will replace the MGP’s long-running Formula 3 (F3) races from this year.
Gomes made the remarks on the sidelines of a press conference yesterday held by the Macau Grand Prix Organising Committee (MGPOC) at the Macau Science Centre (MSC).
Gomes told reporters that both are formula races and stressed that FR is not a second-tier race in the international motorsports arena, and that the types of racing cars will be updated in line with the development of motor racing and, therefore, will not remain unchanged for ever.
Macau will be represented at the FR race by Tiago Rodrigues, the 2023 Chinese Formula 4 champion.
As to whether other kinds of races will be introduced in the future, Gomes said he would be happy to see more good races in Macau, taking into account the scheduling of different race tours and striking a balance between residents’ transport and traffic needs and the excitement that the races offer the public. He said the ultimate goal was to make the Macau Grand Prix brand even better.
Gomes announced during the press conference that this year’s Grand Prix comprises seven events, namely the Macau Grand Prix - FIA FR World Cup, Macau GT Cup – FIA GT World Cup, Macau Guia Race – Kumho FIA TCR World Tour Event of Macau, the 56th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix (MMGP), Greater Bay Area GT Cup (GT4), Macau Roadsport Challenge, and the Macau Roadsport – Macao SAR Establishment Cup.
This year’s event will continue to serve as a platform on which to work with the private sector to develop sports tourism projects that attract international visitors, and promote the coordinated development of both a comprehensive tourism and leisure industry and the sports sector, Gomes underlined.
The budget for this year’s event is around 240 million patacas, which, however, has not yet taken into account sponsorships such as by the city’s six integrated resorts (IRs) and ticket revenues, with four of the IRs providing sponsorships of 20 million patacas each and the remaining two 10 million patacas each, while the ticket revenues are estimated to be similar to those of previous years, which is around 17 million patacas.
This year’s event has attracted more than 180 drivers and riders from 35 countries and regions around the world, Gomes noted, noting that the Macau Grand Prix has a grandstand capacity of about 14,900 seats.
The list of drivers announced yesterday includes Rob Huff, Raffaele Marciello, Edoardo Mortara, Augusto Farfus, and Maro Engel.
The list of riders includes last year’s Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix winner Peter Hickman, runner-up Davey Todd, as well as veteran Michael Rutter.
Gomes said: “The number of participating countries and drivers has already surpassed the [pre-pandemic] 2019 level, showing that the Macau Grand Prix is recognised by the international motorsports community and has a high status in the motorsports world.”
A total of 9 GT4 racing car brands will compete in the Greater Bay Area GT Cup – Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Lotus, Mercedes, McLaren, Porsche, Toyota, and Ginetta.
In addition, the Macau Grand Prix Family Carnival will be held in Praça do Tap Seac from November 2 to 3, where the square will feature a simulated Guia Circuit and a mini racing track. Meanwhile, the Macau Grand Prix Auto Show will be held in Praça do Tap Seac from November 9 to 10, allowing members of the public to see the racing vehicles up close, according to the conference.
Tickets for this year’s Grand Prix go on sale from 10 a.m. today, with the price ranging from 400 to 1,200 patacas, and each purchase is limited to a maximum of 20. The MGP Organising Committee has set up a total of 15 sales points in Macau, Hong Kong and the mainland, as well as online, telephone, email and mobile app purchase channels.
The Sports Bureau (ID) President Luís Gomes talks to reporters on the sidelines of yesterday’s press conference held at the Macau Science Centre (MSC).
Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee (MGPOC) members pose during yesterday’s press conference.
