The 71st Macau Grand Prix, which befell final November, not solely shone the highlight on motor sport’s future, it paid homage to the previous, on the similar time taking part in an necessary position in selling the area of Macau itself
One of many highlights of the worldwide motor sport calendar, the Macau Grand Prix ushered in an thrilling new period with the inclusion of the FIA FR World Cup as its new flagship contest. An accessible and globally recognisable junior single-seater class proved simply as in style because the earlier regulation cycles with a packed grid that includes a number of up-and-coming skills, Formulation 1 groups proteges included.
“It’s the primary time we had the FIA FR World Cup in Macau and the younger drivers, the youngsters, may comply with Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, two legends of the game,” mentioned President of the Sports activities Bureau of Macao SAR Authorities and Coordinator of the Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee Luís Gomes. “Once they had been younger, they achieved the milestone of racing and successful in Macau. Now it’s the flip of the subsequent technology and this is essential. The Guia Circuit can be a particular monitor, top-of-the-line on the planet with no margin for error, so it’s nice for them to study.”
Following three years of absence ensuing from the worldwide well being pandemic, FIA-sanctioned races had been again on the streets of Macau in 2023 due to the joint efforts of the FIA, Vehicle Common Affiliation Macao-China (AAMC), Macau’s FIA Member Membership, and the Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee.
“The pandemic was a troublesome interval and plenty of issues had been held again everywhere in the world, not solely motor sport,” Gomes mentioned. “The Grand Prix continued throughout the pandemic years. It was necessary for the Grand Prix model as a result of we didn’t cease and we confirmed to the world we had been devoted to motor sport.”
The return in 2023 was as important this yr because it was when the Macau Grand Prix turned 70.
“The Macau Grand Prix is one in every of our greatest occasions, particularly when it comes to sport occasions,” Gomes mentioned. “It’s very symbolic and really historic, everybody is aware of the Macau Grand Prix. However there’s additionally plenty of tradition in Macau, between western and japanese, it’s a particular place. The Grand Prix is one in every of our greatest occasions, however we even have another wonderful occasions. We try to construct Macau as a metropolis of sport, however we’ll proceed to develop the Macau Grand Prix and make it sustainable as top-of-the-line motor sport occasions on the planet.”
Gomes continued: “Macau may be very distinctive with various kinds of motor sport, with the motorbikes in addition to the races for vehicles. However the Macau Grand Prix is a platform for various cultural occasions, sports activities, the economic system, hospitality. There are prospects for native designers, entrepreneurs, they’ll all cooperate with the Grand Prix. And you’ve got the motels and different corporations from totally different industries that may profit.
“The spectators come from everywhere in the world to see the Macau Grand Prix and it’s turning into a brand new expertise for individuals from mainland China who didn’t beforehand learn about motor sport. A number of the well-known manufacturers from China like Lynk & Co have joined the FIA TCR World Tour, which races in Macau. This can be a optimistic method to develop motor sport tradition in mainland China.”
In addition to the annual Grand Prix, Macau has its personal museum devoted to the occasion. It’s a must-see attraction and massively necessary, in keeping with Gomes.
“The museum is completely implausible, a beautiful presentation of the historical past and the legend of the Grand Prix, but additionally how motor sport has modified. The BMW of Andy Priaulx is there, he was an idol for me successful the FIA World Touring Automobile Championship in Macau. It’s my dream automobile really and the museum is among the greatest methods to teach the youthful ones on how Macau has developed and adjusted. It tells the story of Macau however the story continues yr by yr with all the time one thing new occurring, it’s fantastic.”
