Nothing but the win
There arguably isn't another racetrack on this planet fascinating as much as
Macau's street circuit. The 6.2-kilometre Guia Circuit curls through the
former Portuguese colony located close to Hong Kong. For many years now, the
peninsula Macau has been - just as Hong Kong - one of China's special
economic areas. One thing, however, has remained: the Macau Formula 3 Grand
Prix.
From 19th to 22nd November, the 56th Macau Grand Prix will once again be
held as the Formula 3 World Finals, with the best international Formula 3
drivers meeting there to battle it out with one another. Also on the grid:
the ATS Formula 3 Cup Champion and the runner-up. Belgium's Laurens Vanthoor
and Dutchman Stef Dusseldorp will have to meet a major challenge, at the
coast of the Southern Chinese Sea: they will have to prove their skills on a
grid featuring 30 top-class Formula 3 drivers, such as the champions of the
four most competitive Formula 3 series.
The Formula 3 Euro Series is represented by Frenchman Jules Bianchi. The
20-year old won the 2008 Formula 3 Masters that is regarded as European
counterpart of the Macau Grand Prix. In last year's Macau GP, Bianchi
finished ninth. His Team Principal, Frederic Vasseur, is convinced: "Jules
has got all the qualities it takes to succeed in the highest motor-racing
categories." It goes without saying that a driver praised like this has to
be regarded as one of the favourites for this weekend's event.
A Macau newcomer but the dominating champion in the UK: Daniel Ricciardo.
The Australian won seven of the 20 British Formula 3 Championship rounds and
secured a total of 14 podium finishes. He certainly should be expected among
the top 10 but as a Macau rookie, he won't be one of the real favourites.
The opposite is the case when it comes to Marcus Ericsson, the Japanese
Formula 3 Champion. And there are several reasons for this assessment: on
the one hand, his team. TOM's, always has been keen on delivering in the
Macau Grand Prix. Nearly not other team displays similar determination when
it comes to racing at Macau. On the other, Ericsson knows what he will have
to cope with as it is his second race appearance, there.
The same applies to Laurens Vanthoor who represents the ATS Formula 3 Cup.
Having secured the Cup title in superior style, the 18-year old now wants to
celebrate a major international Formula 3 triumph. Last year, Vanthoor
gathered his first experiences at the difficult street circuit - and secured
the fine sixth place, nevertheless. So, he now must be regarded as one of
the favourites for the 56th Macau Grand Prix.
And there is a former ATS Formula 3 Cup drivers who could win this year's
World Finals: Carlo van Dam. In 2007, the Dutchman won the ATS Formula 3 Cup
title and in the following season he repeated this feat in the Japanese
Formula 3 Championship. Could he be the 2009 Macau Grand Prix winner?
In the gambling paradise Macau, where the gambling industry makes more money
than in Las Vegas, today, winning is the only thing that counts. While the
runner-up and the third placed drivers are forgotten just a few days after
the event, the winner may hope for his major breakthrough. He takes centre
stage and is watched by the international motor-racing fraternity. Wins at
Macau never are forgotten. Such as the one of Ayrton Senna who won the event
in 1983 - or Michael Schumacher's triumph in 1990.
-credit: formel3.de
