Macao Grand Prix – Wikipedia
| Number of laps | 15 |
|---|---|
| Circuit length | 6,120 km |
| Racing distance | 91.8 km |
The Macao Grand Prix of Automobile is a motor racing event that takes place every year on the Guia circuit in Macao, China. The Macao Grand Prix Automobile is a so -called “special” test of Formula 3 like the Masters of Formula 3 and the Grand Prix de Pau. The Formula 3 race is the only test of the Formula 3 Intercontinental Cup of the FIA.
The circuit, drawn in the streets of Macao, is an urban circuit deemed difficult and very dangerous. Extended over 6.2 km (which is very long for a circuit of this type), it has two very distinct sectors:
- The rapid part, with its long straight lines (including the straight line of the stands, by the sea) very wide.
- The winding part, with its very narrow tight turns, located on the sides of Mont de la Guia.
The record of the tour was made in 2019 by the Estonian Jüri Vips, behind the wheel of a 2019-Mecachrome Dallara F3, in 2 min 04 s 997.
The beginnings of the Grand Prix (1954) [ modifier | Modifier and code ]
The Macao Grand Prix of Macao was created in 1954. The city of Macao was then a Portuguese colony and this Grand Prix was a symbol of the development of motor racing in Asia. The first Grand Prix (1954) looks like a “treasure hunt” in the streets of Macao. The following year, the organizers decided to consider the event as a race for professional pilots and the event will be competed in the context of GT type sports cars.
However, the circuit leaves a lot to be desired and a report by the official commissioners notes that the track borders are bad; They are often dirty by sand and dust. The infrastructure welcoming spectators are not safe either: an overloaded steel gateway will collapse on the circuit in 1959, injuring 21 spectators and causing an interruption of the race.
Free formula (1961-1973) [ modifier | Modifier and code ]
In 1961, the Grand Prix changed category (at the time free formula). During this edition, the Grand Prix is won by the British naturalized Thai Peter Heath.
The event was declared as an amateur race until 1966, when the Belgian pilot Mauro Bianchi took part in the race with a car from Renault Sport, in principle to promote the image of Renault in Hong Kong. This leads, as the seasons progresses, more and more professional stables to compete at the Macao Grand Prix. Bianchi’s victory echoed in Europe and allowed the Grand Prix to welcome pilots from all over the planet.
The first factory single -seaters appeared in 1968, with the commitment of two Mitsubishi Colt 2 single -seaters of a Japanese stable. That same year, the McLaren-Brabham F2 of Jan Bussell won the event. It is therefore the first victory of a single -seater in Macao.
Pacific formula (1974-1982) [ modifier | Modifier and code ]
In 1974, the Macanais Grand Prix was organized as part of the peaceful formula ( Formula Pacific ). Despite improving security over the years, the question of the dangerousness of the Guia circuit has remained delicate. As early as 1976, young European pilots invited themselves on the Macanaise track, some of which harvested sesame. In the past few years of the Pacific Formula era, Riccardo Patrese won twice while Roberto Moreno won it in 1982, just before the Macao Grand Prix of Formula 3.
Today [ modifier | Modifier and code ]
In 1983, it was decided by the organizers that, the peaceful formula becoming obsolete, the race would take place as a Formula 3. initially, the Guia circuit was to welcome Formula 2, but the arrival of these imposing monoplates would cause large changes to the track, including widening the track and the slaughter of the trees. This turned out to be a good decision, given the fact that, since then, the event is very famous in the world of motorsport, attracting the best young pilots in Europe and Japan.
The first edition was won by a certain Ayrton Senna. The race in 1990 remains the unforgettable moment: in duel to win this edition, Michael Schumacher and Mika Häkkinen are involved in a racing incident, already controversial, during the last round of the second race, after the Finnish During the first race with 2S 660 ahead of the future seven -time world champion in Formula 1. On the main straight line, just after the Mandarin Oriental curve, Schumacher made a “brake test” and surprises Häkkinen. The latter strikes the back of Schumacher’s car, heads and must leave his mount on the edge of the track, leaving the red baron win the Grand Prix with the best cumulative time.
Other winners also contributed in Formula 1, such as David Coulthard, Ralf Schumacher and Takuma Satō. Since the introduction of Formula 3 races, the Macao Grand Prix has gradually become a springboard for many Formula 3 pilots to the upper class of the car race such as GP2 Series, even Formula 1.
The weekend of the Macanaise event starts normally on Tuesday and ends on Friday on the second or third week of November. The first two days (Thursday and Friday) are generally planned for free tests and qualification sessions. All races take place on Saturday and Sunday, with the final phases of the Macao Grand Prix Automobile and Guia race ( Race Guide in English), last event of the WTCC season, taking place on the last day.
In addition to the two major races, the Macao Grand Prix of Macoo is also one of the flagship events of the weekend because the pilots engaged are former and current Superbike pilots. Also take place the Pacific BMW formula, and local amateur and professional races.
- The organizers of the event admitted in 2007 that following a timing error, the victory of the 1996 edition should have returned to Jarno Trulli and not to Ralph Firman. The record remains as it is.
- Following the COVVI-19 pandemic, Formula 3 races of 2020, 2021 and 2022 editions were canceled. The planned Formula 4 championship event then becomes the main race for the Grand Prix.
- Stéphane Barbé, ” Macao the red roulette », L’team , , p. 28-29
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