Get ready for an intense and dramatic weekend at the Macau Grand Prix! The first-ever FIA GT World Cup Super Pole has delivered an edge-of-your-seat qualifying session, with Naël emerging as the top qualifier, narrowly beating Slater.
Antonio Fuoco, an Italian driver, made history by claiming the Super Pole, a feat never achieved before in Macau. He will now lead the pack alongside his AF Corse teammate, Yifei Ye, in the Qualification Race on Saturday. The untested format, featuring a 30-minute Q1 session followed by a new Q2 for the top 10 drivers, provided an exciting spectacle at the iconic street track.
Fuoco's impressive performance, with a time of 2m15.535s, broke the existing Macau GT lap record. He expressed his satisfaction with the format, emphasizing the need to extract maximum performance from the car in just two laps. Edoardo Mortara, known as "Mr. Macau" for his impressive record of seven overall race wins, also delivered an outstanding lap, describing it as one of his best in the last 20 years of competing in Macau.
But here's where it gets controversial... Sheldon van der Linde, who was favored to challenge for the Super Pole, unfortunately crashed during Q1, leaving him on the sidelines. This unexpected turn of events adds an element of surprise to the race.
In addition to the FIA GT World Cup, the 72nd Macau Grand Prix week showcases three other FIA-sanctioned categories: the FIA FR World Cup, FIA F4 World Cup, and the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour. The Qualification Race for the FIA FR World Cup saw Théophile Naël take the pole position, followed by Freddie Slater and Evan Giltaire. Naël's performance in Q2 was particularly impressive, as he managed to improve his lap time and secure the top spot, despite initial challenges.
The FIA F4 World Cup Qualification Race will see Sebastian Wheldon start from pole position after an impressive performance, edging out Kean Nakamura-Berta by a slim margin. Wheldon, a 16-year-old, expressed his excitement and confidence after claiming pole for his first street race. He had earlier set the pace in Free Practice 2, showcasing his intent and the category's competitive nature.
Néstor Girolami secured his first pole position of the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour season, outpacing his title rivals Yann Ehrlacher and Thed Björk. Girolami's performance earned him 15 points and a well-deserved top spot.
The Macau Grand Prix is more than just a race; it's a celebration of motorsport passion. It brings together drivers from various championships and disciplines to test their skills on one of the most demanding circuits. It's a platform for rising stars and a hugely significant event in the Asia-Pacific region, inspiring future generations of drivers and fans.
This year marks a special milestone, as it's been a decade since the Macau Grand Prix introduced designated FIA World Cup races. The three FIA World Cup events will be streamed live and free on the FIA's official YouTube channel, providing an opportunity for fans around the world to witness the excitement.
So, who will emerge as the ultimate champion? Will the favorites live up to expectations, or will there be unexpected twists and turns? Join us as we witness the thrilling conclusion to the 2025 Macau Grand Prix season!
