Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled journey as we dive into the heart-pounding action of the FIA GT World Cup Super Pole in Macau! The battle for pole position has just reached new heights, and you won’t want to miss a single moment of this thrilling spectacle.
In a historic moment, Antonio Fuoco has etched his name in the annals of Macau racing history by claiming the inaugural Super Pole for the FIA GT World Cup. This achievement places the Italian driver at the forefront of the grid for Saturday’s Qualification Race, alongside his AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 teammate, Yifei Ye from China.
The untested format kicked off with the traditional 30-minute Qualifying Q1 session, followed by the brand-new Qualifying Q2 for the top 10 drivers from Q1. This one-by-one shootout, tackled with a fresh set of Pirelli tires, provided an exhilarating display at the iconic street track.
Fuoco will now lead the pack in the 12-lap Qualification Race, with Edoardo Mortara in third behind Ye in an Absolute Corse-run Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo 2. Alessio Picariello (Tempo by Absolute Racing) secured fourth place in a Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), while Joel Eriksson took fifth in his FAW Audi Sport Asia Team Phantom Audi R8 LMS GT3 (Evo2).
“I’m a huge fan of this format,” Fuoco shared. “You’ve got to go all out, extract every ounce of speed from the car in just two laps. We did an incredible job, and it was crucial to be at the top here in Macau. We know it’s a long weekend with two races, but at least we’re starting from a strong position for tomorrow.”
Mortara, known as “Mr. Macau” for his impressive seven overall race wins in the Special Administrative Region of China, added, “The lap I did in Super Pole was probably the best I’ve ever done here in almost 20 years. I took every risk, hitting barriers left and right, and it paid off. I’m still shaking from that lap!”
Sheldon van der Linde, who was tipped as a contender for Super Pole, unfortunately crashed in Q1, leaving the South African BMW driver out of the running.
But here’s where it gets controversial… In addition to the FIA GT World Cup, the 72nd Macau Grand Prix week features three other FIA-sanctioned categories: the FIA FR World Cup, the FIA F4 World Cup, and the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour. Pole position for the FIA FR World Cup went to Théophile Naël, with Freddie Slater in second and Evan Giltaire in third.
Naël, a Frenchman, started in fourth after Thursday’s Qualifying Q1 but delivered an impressive performance in Q2, edging out Slater, who had set the pace the day before. Meanwhile, Giltaire, who was languishing in 16th place after Thursday’s opening session, made a remarkable comeback late in Q2.
“The first part of Qualifying 2 wasn’t ideal for the track conditions,” Naël explained. “But the track improved significantly, and I managed to improve my lap time. It was tricky with the red flags, but we maintained our position and completed a lap. I pushed hard after exiting the pits and managed to create a gap.”
And this is the part most people miss… Sebastian Wheldon, a 16-year-old American, claimed pole position for the inaugural FIA F4 World Cup Qualification Race. He set a best lap time of 2m24.148s, edging out Kean Nakamura-Berta by 0.136s. Emanuele Olivieri from Italy completed the top three, followed by Thomas Bearman and Macau’s own Tiago Golovko Rodrigues.
“FP1 was a challenge for me,” Wheldon admitted. “I had to learn the track, but FP2 went well, and I gained more confidence. In qualifying, I pushed myself and managed to complete a lap before the red flags. There’s zero margin for error when you’re pushing in qualifying, especially on a street circuit. We’re starting in the best position for tomorrow, but it’s a long run to the first corner.”
Wheldon, whose late father, Dan, was a two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, had earlier set the pace in Free Practice 2, showcasing his intent and the category’s intense competition.
In the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour, Néstor Girolami secured his first pole position of the season, outpacing title rivals Yann Ehrlacher and Thed Björk, who finished second and third, respectively, for Lynk & Co Cyan Racing. Girolami’s performance earned him 15 points for BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse.
Here’s a look at the schedule for Saturday, November 15th:
- 11:40-12:45: FIA F4 World Cup Qualification Race (8 laps)
- 13:20-14:00: Kumho FIA TCR World Tour Race 1 (10 laps)
- 14:35-15:40: FIA GT World Cup Qualification Race (12 laps)
- 16:15-17:20: FIA FR World Cup Qualification Race (10 laps)
All timings are local and subject to change. You can catch the live action on the FIA’s official YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/FIAOfficialVideo).
The Macau Grand Prix is more than just a race; it’s a celebration of motorsport passion. It’s the spectacular season finale where single-seater, GT, and touring car drivers from various championships around the world come together to test their skills on one of the most demanding circuits. It’s also a proving ground for the sport’s rising stars and a hugely important event in the Asia-Pacific region, inspiring future generations of drivers and fans.
This year marks a decade of designated FIA World Cup races at the Macau Grand Prix, and you can stream all three FIA World Cup events live and for free on the FIA’s official YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/FIAOfficialVideo).
So, who do you think will take the chequered flag? Will it be a seasoned veteran or one of the rising stars? Join the discussion in the comments and let us know your predictions!