63 SUPPLEMENT WED 16.11.2016

PREVIEW | FIA F3 WORLD CUP The Return of the Champions RENATO MARQUES RENATO 63 Renato Marques lives of the former champions PREVIEW difficult on their way to the HIS year’s edition of checkered flag. the Formula 3 Despite the notable absence Grand Prix has a new of the 2016 FIA F3 European attraction with the Champion , alrea- FIA F3 World Cup – The Return of the Champions Tpresentation of an all-new tro- dy on his way to the Formula phy – the FIA F3 World Cup. 1 with the Williams F1 team When the open-wheeled cars where he will compete in 2017 hit the tarmac alongside Valtteri Bottas, there they will be chasing not only are other leading contenders the glory of winning on such a just waiting for an opportunity renowned circuit but also the to jump to the top of the po- honor of being the first ever F3 dium and take the FIA F3 Wor- World Cup Champion. ld Cup home. Such an opportunity definite- Maximilian Günther, se- ly deserves a quality lineup of cond in the European cham- drivers and racing machines, pionship, is certainly one of in a race which has been du- them. The German racer may bbed the “return of the cham- experience difficulties during pions.” Several former F3 Ma- the first sessions as he makes cau race winners are putting his Macau debut, but he has their current duties with other had a great season with Pre- series on hold in order to join ma’s Dallara Mercedes and ho- the event. pes to continue on this “Special The two-time Macau cham- Season Finale” in Macau. pion is ab- Sharing the same hopes is solutely the name to top that the Briton George Russell, list, now making an attempt to third position overall finisher break the record and win the right behind Günther. Rus- Macau F3 Race a third time. sell has also been enjoying a Alongside him are other for- good series, and racing in Ma- mer champions like the 2012 winner, António Félix da Costa who will retake his seat at the A mix of wheel of the Dallara Volkswa- gen from Carlin, and the 2011 experience winner , ra- and ‘fresh cing with a Dallara Mercedes from Hitech GP. blood’ seem If the return of these three champions was not enough to be the main motivation to pay attention to this race, there is also the ingredients of opportunity to see some of the the revamped younger stars shine. A group of new racers are set to make the F3 race

they need to spend effort for kids is to stay focused. on everything they do.” Put your heads down, and Macau-based GP motorbike team The purpose underlying if you decide something the autograph session is, that you want to, you put according to Fong, to rai- your mind to it. You work meets with schoolchildren se the awareness in chil- hard for it.” dren that for anyone to The rider said that his EFORE the Macau achieve success like the team is “pretty much pre- BGrand Prix officially riders they need to devo- pared” for the Grand Prix. kicks off, Macau’s team te themselves for a long However, he judges this CF Racing Team 32 visi- time. “Hopefully, the stu- year’s Grand Prix compe- ted the Escola Primária dents might get some ini- tition to be stronger than Luso-Chinesa da Flora tiative from this event for it was last year. to meet with their you- their sports, physical ac- João Fernandes, team ng fans and inspire them tivities, and study,” said owner, told the Times through their team mem- Fong. that it is important for bers’ stories. Rider Allan Jon Venter the team to have this Around 200 students told the Times that this is type of activity because showed up for the mee- his second time meeting they can “give a bit back ting at the school’s audi- with children in Macau. to Macau.” He added “To torium. Stephanie Fong, Last year, he visited the be with the kids is always vice principal of the Portuguese School, the important for me. Their school, told the Times rider had fun with the eyes are more real, […] that all students, from students, and was ques- even though sometimes kindergarten up to the tioned by them, hoping their questions do not sixth grade, were present as well to inspire kids the make sense, but it is very in order to ask the riders same way he had been funny.” questions and to get their inspired when he was João Fernandes revea- autographs. encourage all our studen- students outside to wit- we hope that children young. led that his team had been This is not the first time ts to know about Macau’s ness the race. This year, can know [more] about When asked about his preparing for the Grand the school has organi- sports events,” said Fong, however, they decided to sports,” declared Fong, suggestions for studen- Prix for five months. zed an event like this, al- who also said that in the invite the riders to come adding that the more im- ts who want to become Macau Daily Times is a though it is the first time past several years, the to the school. portant goal is to let stu- riders, Allan Jon Venter media partner of the CF in the last ten years. “We school has been taking its “Through the car races, dents “understand that explained, “The big thing Racing Team 32.

II wed 16.11.2016

PREVIEW FIA F3 World Cup – The Return of the Champions

year showed enormous pro- Several gress over the weekend, ending the race with an impressive lap former F3 time and setting a new record at 2:10.186. Macau race On the newcomers field Fren- chman Anthoine Hubert, a winners are Felix Rosenqvist race winner in the European putting their series, deserves a mention. He is still gaining pace and will current duties debut alongside another Bra- zilian, Pedro Piquet, the third with other in a line of racers that started MARQUES RENATO series on hold with his father – three-time F1 World Champion Nelson in order to join Piquet – and followed by his older brother Nelson Piquet the event Jr, who also raced twice on the Guia Circuit back in 2003 and cau alongside former cham- 2004. pion Juncadella at Hitech GP From Japan’s F3 cham- should bolster his confidence. pionship come this year’s top From the European side the- contestants, including the re are a lot of other names to champion consider like the experienced who joins Macau’s Andy Chang Felix da Costa racing once more at the ThreeBond with T-Sport under the colors of Theodore team as well as first runner up in the Guia Circuit stands. tic procedures. Another cause Racing, teaming up with Ro- Jann Mardenborough, racing All pieces now seem to be of the rift was the sudden and senqvist and Günther to form a B-Max Racing Team Dallara moving into place to prepare a unexpected change from tire probably the strongest team on Volkswagen and Sho Tsuboi, “green-light” for an edition ini- supplier in a tender put up by the field. third overall at the Japanese tially marred by the withdrawal the FIA that was won by Pirelli, Also returning are two more series, racing a TOM’s Dallara of the lead consultant of over which had not been supplying names to take good note of Toyota. 30 years, Barry Bland, from tires for any of the F3 series for this year, last year’s podium A mix of experience and the organization of the event. a long period of time. finisher Alexander Sims on the “fresh blood” seem to be the This was after his disagree- As a novelty for this year’s Dallara Mer- main ingredients of the revam- ment with the “last minute” edition, the Grand Prix will cedes and the Brazilian Sérgio ped F3 race that hopefully will changes to the race that crea- for the first time be available Sette Câmara. Câmara, althou- glue the spectators to the edges ted delays because of sporting to live stream for free on the gh finishing last in his debut of their seats both at home and regulations and others logis- FIA’s webpage.

so I think I have already got back the speed and with my experience of F3 and Historical set the Macau circuit, I’m really confident that I’ll be up to the speed.” Rosenqvist finds the circuit an enjoya- for ‘record breaking’ wins ble but challenging one. He said: “For us drivers, it is a challenge both technically N historical name of the Macau and [because] you need a lot of courage AGrand Prix since its early days, to be quick at the track. There are a lot of Theodore Racing returns once more to risks involved. It’s something very spe- its birthplace to try to break its own re- cial to come here. It is really a favorite cord of eight wins at the Macau Grand MARQUES RENATO for all the drivers.” Prix. The intention was announced by Debuting in Macau will be the first run- team Principal Teddy Yip Jr during an ner up of this year’s European F3 cham- event to present their new partnership pionship Maximilian Gunther. “I think sponsor BBIN. will be a great weekend for all of us. For “This year we return to defend our title me it’s the first time driving here at this with the aim of achieving back-to-back street circuit and I’m looking forward victories and securing a record of nine to it,” added Gunther to his teammate’s Macau GP victories,” he said. sentiments. Commenting on the trust he has in the Completing the trio of Theodore’s driver lineup to accomplish such a task, racers will be the experienced Nick Yip said: “These are the three most pre- Cassidy. Racing for the third time on pared guys on the circuit this weekend. the Guia Circuit, the driver yesterday I’m sure of that!” highlighted how “narrow and fast” the The team’s managing director, Da- circuit is, making it a “unique” race vid Kennedy, highlighted the “fantas- without an equal in the rest of the season. tic success this season [of] winning the Nick Cassidy, Felix Rosenqvist and Maximilian Gunther Formula Ford Championship, the F3 “You just need to look at the drivers [European] championship and the GP2 lix Rosenqvist questioned the constant of different cars in different cham- that have passed to Theodore’s alone championship,” adding that winning in change of cars and championships that pionships so I think I’m used to going to see how big this is. In ten years’ time Macau this year would be “the icing on he had this season and how that could back and forth,” he said. “I already did people will be talking about the racers the cake.” affect his performance. a couple of days of testing with the team that raced here in 2016, so this is pretty Team head and reigning champion Fe- “This year I have been driving a lot before coming here to test the new tyres special.” RM

III wed 16.11.2016 63 RACE PREVIEW Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix - 50th Edition - ‘Gold Rush’ for Golden Jubilee

Renato Marques

ELEBRATING its Golden CJubilee, the Macau Motor- cycle Grand Prix will feature a MARQUES RENATO strong lineup of 28 riders and their machines. At the head are the “three musketeers,” the 2015 Cham- pion Peter Hickman, the ei- ght-time winner and record holder Michael Rutter and the fastest ever on track and four- Stuart Easton Peter Hickman Michael Rutter time winner Stuart Easton all riding Bathams/SMT Racing will include first runner-up last gaining experience over the to win is a hard one to divine an this grand 50th anniversary, the BMW’s, the bike that proved to year and frequent podium stan- years trying their best to answer to; we will have to wait Organizing be unbeatable in the Guia Cir- der Martin Jessop, the “king of keep down a good lineup of until the last minute of the race Committee (MGPOC) also invi- cuit last year. the island” John McGuinness, newcomers. on Saturday. ted four former champions from Also riding a BMW is the four- Conor Cummins and Gary John- Included in this group of expe- As part of the celebration of the 1970’s, 1980’s, 1990’s and th member of this frontrunner son, among others. rienced riders are four-time ra- early 2000’s of the Grand Prix. squad, the 2013 winner Ian With so many great riders ra- cer Allan-Jon Venter from local Sadeo Asami, Mick Grant, Phillip Hutchinson and he is no less cing top-of-the-line bikes, the team CF Racing Team 32 racing With so many McCallen and Steve Plater are al- of a candidate for the final che- competition looks to be fierce a Yamaha and the Portuguese great riders ready confirmed to be joining the ckered-flag than any of the first and they are expected to put rider André Pires on his third at- celebrations on this special occa- three. Hutchinson has already on an awesome show for the tempt in Macau racing a Bimota racing top-of- sion. proved to be impressively fast crowd. from Bimota UK team. A number of activities have and steady in Macau. If the battle for the top po- Penz13.com always presents the-line bikes, been planned to mark the Gol- If any of these four clear candi- sition will be a heated one, strong contenders and this year den Jubilee, including a display dates are out for the final victory, then expect no less for the their team will include rookie the competition of competing and classic motor- there are many more who are positions on the first half of Danny Webb riding alongside looks to be cycles and a classic motorcycle willing to make that achievement the leaderboard. There are Gary Johnson. parade on the Guia Circuit on Sa- a difficult one; the competitors some riders that have been The question of who is going fierce turday (November 19th).

NOVEMBER 17 - 20

17th of November (Thursday) 18th of November (Friday) 06:00 Circuit Closed 06:00 Circuit Closed 06:30 - 07:00 Circuit Inspection 06:30 - 07:00 Circuit Inspection 07:30 - 08:30 Suncity Group Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix - 50th 07:30 - 08:15 Suncity Group Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix - 50th Edition - Practice Edition - Qualifying 08:50 - 09:20 Suncity Group Chinese Racing Cup - Practice 08:40 - 09:10 Suncity Group Chinese Racing Cup - Qualifying 09:35 - 10:15 Suncity Group Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix - FIA F3 09:35 - 10:15 Suncity Group Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix - FIA F3 World Cup - Practice World Cup - Practice 10:30 - 11:10 Suncity Group Macau Road Sport Challenge - Practice 10:40 - 11:10 SJM Macau GT Cup - FIA GT World Cup - Practice 11:25 - 11:55 Suncity Group Macau Guia Race 2.0T - Practice 11:35 - 12:05 Suncity Group Macau Road Sport Challenge - 12:30 - 13:00 SJM Macau GT Cup - FIA GT World Cup - Practice Qualifying 13:20 - 14:00 CTM Macau Touring Car Cup - Practice 12:30 - 13:00 Suncity Group Macau Guia Race 2.0T - Practice 14:20 - 15:00 Suncity Group Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix - FIA F3 13:55 - 14:25 CTM Macau Touring Car Cup - Qualifying World Cup - Qualifying 14:55 - 15:25 SJM Macau GT Cup - FIA GT World Cup - Qualifying 15:45 - 16:30 Suncity Group Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix - 50th 15:55 - 16:35 Suncity Group Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix - FIA F3 Edition - Qualifying World Cup - Qualifying 18:00 Circuit Opened 18:00 Circuit Opened

19thof November (Saturday) 20nd of November (Sunday) 06:00 Circuit Closed 06:00 Circuit Closed 06:30 - 07:00 Circuit Inspection 06:30 - 07:00 Circuit Inspection 07:30 - 08:30 Suncity Group Macau Guia Race 2.0T - Qualifying 07:00 - 07:30 Safety and Rescue Cars - Testing laps 09:00 - 09:50 Suncity Group Macau Road Sport Challenge - 10 laps 08:30 - 09:30 CTM Macau Touring Car Cup - 12 laps 10:20 - 11:10 Suncity Group Chinese Racing Cup - 10 laps 10:00 - 12:00 Suncity Group Macau Guia Race 2.0T - 2 Races of 10 11:20 - 11:40 Suncity Group Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix - 50th laps each with 15 minutes break between Races Edition - Warm Up 12:55 - 14:15 SJM Macau GT Cup - FIA GT World Cup - 18 laps 12:10 - 13:10 SJM Macau GT Cup - FIA GT World Cup - Qualification 14:15 - 14:40 Parade Race 12 laps 15:10 - 15:25 Lion Dance 13:50 - 14:40 Suncity Group Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix - FIA F3 15:30 - 16:30 Suncity Group Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix - FIA F3 World Cup - Qualification Race - 10 laps World Cup - 15 laps 14:40 - 15:05 Parade 18:00 Circuit Opened 15:30 - 16:30 Suncity Group Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix - 50th Edition - 12 laps 18:00 Circuit Opened

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