You could feel a collective sense of relief all over the peninsula as rubber hit the road on the weekend. The Macau Grand Prix was back. Not a pandemic-era Grand Prix, with its cancelled races, mandatory quarantines, health codes and absence of international drivers. But a full-fledged, mask-free iteration of the city’s most celebrated event.
The international brigade was back in full force. This year’s roster is littered with rising talents, from Richard Verschoor (Netherlands), Dan Ticktum (UK) and Paul Aron (Estonia) to Bianca Bustamante (Philippines), Arvid Lindblad (UK) and Nadieh Schoots (Netherlands).
The visitors have returned too, with industry insiders estimating that the event will lure 100,000 visitors a day to the territory and see hotels reach 90 percent occupancy. Small wonder there were a lot of smiles around the paddock during the first of the Grand Prix’s two weekends.
Photojournalist Eduardo Leal was at the Guia Circuit for Macao News, to capture the moment as the lights went out and Macao started racing like it hasn’t done in years.
Excited members of the public take photos of race cars at the paddock
Crowds throng the paddock before the start of racing on 11 November 2023
A member of the Craft Bamboo Racing team speaks with driver Darryl O’Young before a practice session for the Greater Bay Area GT3 Cup on 11 November 2023
Members of the public following the races on a large screen
Vivian Siu of Champ Motorsports is a picture of concentration in her F4 car as she prepares for a qualifying round
Team members hold umbrellas before Formula 4 qualifiers on 12 November 2023
Members of the public follow the Macau Roadsports Challenge race from the spectator stands
The Greater Bay Area GT3 Cup gets underway on 11 November 2023
Members of the public cheer from the stands during racing on 12 November 2023
The grid girls were out in force at 70th Macau Grand Prix
A member of the public looks at souvenirs offered for sale
Members of SJM Theodore Prema Racing team celebrate the victory of their driver Arvid Lindblad in the Formula 4 Race on 12 November 2023
