Among the many teams associated with the Macau Grand Prix, there’s a special place for Prema Racing. The top-tier junior single-seater team has been a fixture on the Guia Circuit since 1984 – a year after it was founded by Angelo Rosin.
The Italian motorsport team is now under the leadership of his son, René Rosin, who took over in 2005. Many Formula 1 drivers, such as Valtteri Bottas, Charles Leclerc, Pierre Gasly, Oscar Piastri, Zhou Guanyu, Esteban Ocon, and Lance Stroll have developed with the younger Rosin and Prema Racing, and several have competed at the Macau Grand Prix at some point in their careers.
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The team is in good form. Last year, SJM Theodore Prema Racing dominated the opening weekend of the Macau Grand Prix, with Arvid Lindblad from Sweden and local racer Charles Leong securing the top two spots in the Formula 4 races. During the second weekend’s Formula 3 race, Gabriele Minì from Italy achieved pole position in qualifying and finished third in the race.
Meanwhile, in the recent Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA), Rosin and Prema achieved three consecutive drivers’ and constructors’ championships. Rosin aims to carry this winning momentum to Macao this month and secure a victory in the SAR’s inaugural Formula Regional (FR) competition.
Rosin took time out from his hectic, pre-Grand Prix schedule to speak about Formula Regional in Macao, SJM Theodore Prema Racing’s driver selection and the team’s development.
What are your expectations for Formula Regional in Macao?
We’re returning to the roots of the Macau Grand Prix, where various national championships can join the World Cup. There are 10 teams, each with three cars, 30 cars in total. This setup is similar to those in Europe and F1.
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The FR car is slightly less powerful than last year’s car. But it’s important to remember that up to 2018, we had the same power levels as we do now in FR. The old F3, often praised as the best car in the world, shares the same power and type as FR. Times have changed and safety has improved significantly, with the FIA pushing for safety advancements. That’s why we’re using this car today. We believe that FR offers a great package for teams to participate in the race and put on a great show in Macao once again.
How did you select the drivers for this year’s Formula Regional competition in Macao?
We want to go there and win once again for Prema and Theodore Racing. With a new era of cars, we’ve focused on bringing back three drivers who have experience in Macao.
First, we have Dino Beganovic, the 2022 FRECA champion, who has raced with us in F3 for the past two years. He participated last year in Macao and wanted to return.
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Then we got Freddie Slater. Despite facing technical issues in last year’s F4 races, he was impressively fast as a rookie, competing closely with Arvid Lindblad. He’s an F4 champion and broke all F4 records this year. He said he wanted to do it when he heard there would be FR in Macao.
The last one in the team is Alex Dunne. Sometimes we go with regular drivers, sometimes with standalone ones. After discussions with Teddy Ip, we decided on Alex because he had a strong debut in Macao last year with Hi-Tech.
How does Macao compare to European circuits?
You are racing in the most difficult circuit in the world. A long straight, three cars side by side, and then you turn at Lisboa where you need to brake very hard – that’s something only Macao can offer. It is a good place for drivers to learn.
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Has the Macau Grand Prix changed since Prema first participated in 1984?
This is more of a question for my dad, but my first time in Macao was in 1998. Even if I miss a year, once I arrive in Macao, I know exactly where to go.
The circuit remains mostly the same because of limited space. You might see some restructuring, but the general layout is the same. It has evolved in terms of safety but remains the historic and challenging Guia Circuit. One major change I’d say is the amazing new Grand Prix museum they’ve built.
What are your most memorable experiences in Macao so far?
The first is our unexpected win in 2011 with Daniel Juncadella. Dani got a bit lucky, which is often needed in Macao. He wasn’t the fastest, but he was clever. During a safety car period, we found ourselves leading with two laps to go. The race didn’t restart due to an accident involving Kevin Magnussen and others at Mandarin Bend. It was incredibly emotional, as it was my first time as a team manager in Macao. My dad had been coming since 1984 without winning, so winning on my first try was special. People were crying, and the car entered Parc Fermé surrounded by media. It was incredible.
The second memory is our first title with Theodore Racing in 2013. We knew we had a strong package and talented drivers like Alex Lynn, who dominated the weekend. It was remarkable, especially on the 60th anniversary of the race and 30 years after Ayrton Senna’s victory. It was truly special.
How has this collaboration evolved with Theodore Racing?
It’s not just a collaboration, it’s a friendship with Teddy Ip. It all began with a phone call in 2013, a few months before the Macau Grand Prix. Teddy wanted to restart operations in Macao after a break following his father Teddy Ip Senior’s passing. He rebranded Theodore Racing and from there, we developed a strong relationship and became friends. Now, we’re not two separate entities, we’re one. In Macao, we are Theodore Racing, just like in the past when Teddy’s father was involved with other teams. We’re proud to display the Theodore Racing logo alongside Prema and SJM, and we’re looking forward to a great race this weekend.
Three consecutive championships in Formula Regional. What’s that been like?
Dino Beganovic in 2022, Andrea Kimi Antonelli in 2023 and Rafael Câmara in 2024. We’ve won both the team and drivers’ championships.
The FR team is a great group. They’ve done a tremendous job over the last three years. We’re excited for this first Macau Grand Prix, as we’ve added people with Macao experience from previous years. The team which won the past three years in FR is hardworking and passionate. They embrace a team spirit, working as one.
How would you describe your journey so far?
It has been about continuing what my dad started and still following his guidance. Even in retirement, he’s still involved, especially with F4 and FR. While I build on his foundation, I also focus on improvements. Times have changed and we must adapt to modern management and technology. It’s crucial to keep pushing because success isn’t guaranteed. We must always strive to do our best. The day you stop, you’re finished.
He taught me to focus on never stopping, always pushing forward, and constantly seeking improvement and perfection. This philosophy is at the core of everything we do.
As a team principal, what adrenaline rush do you get in Macao?
It’s a kind of different adrenaline rush. The event comes at the end of the year. So you’re quite drained of all the adrenaline. Then comes Macao, which provides a big boost during that week.
What would be your advice to young drivers competing in Macao?
Embrace the event, enjoy it and have fun. Do your best because the experience you can get in Macao you will never get anywhere else.
Drivers who have raced in Macao and moved to F1, IndyCar, or endurance races often say the Guia Circuit is the best and most challenging. There’s nothing else like it.
Is there a place you always visit in Macao?
Leal Senado, Ruins of St Paul’s and Coloane. I enjoy going to Fernando’s. I like the atmosphere and everything about it. I make a point to visit these spots every year.
