The first weekend of the 2023 Macau Grand Prix concluded with a Formula 4 thriller. The race day started wet after early showers, but the weather cleared up as the F4 drivers took to the track for their qualifier.
Unsurprisingly, the Lisboa Bend – which demands drivers make a tight turn after going full throttle – saw the most drama and action. The bend caused multiple red and yellow flags and saw the safety car deployed.
Here are three things to know about day 2 of the Macau Grand Prix.
[See more: Here are the highlights from day one of the 2023 Macau Grand Prix]
Macau Formula 4 champion Arvid Lindblad is “over the moon”
Briton Arvid Lindblad stood out from the rest and has deservingly entered the history books as a Macao Formula 4 champion with the fastest lap of 2:24:971.
“I’m super delighted,” Lindblad said in the press conference. “Such a historical track, an amazing place and event… on the 70th anniversary and a first-ever street circuit for me. Over the moon with the result.”
When asked whether he would come back here next year, he said, “Definitely.” Lindblad will be hoping to test the track in an F3 car next year.
His team SJM Theodore PREMA Racing did a solid job this weekend. Teammate Charles Leong came second place just 0.274 seconds behind Lindblad. Freddie Slatter ended the race in ninth place but recorded a number of the fastest sectors.
SJM Theodore PREMA Racing will be back again next weekend for the Macau F3 with drivers Paul Aron, Dino Beganovic and Gabriele Minì.
The F4 race saw a few yellow flags. The first one came on the opening lap when Miki Koyama lost control of her car on the turn of the Lisboa Bend. After Koyama hit the barrier, Bianca Bustamante and Xiao Kunpeng crashed behind her. The other retired racers were Narac Raphael, Xiao Kunpeng, Martinius Stenshorne, Liu Kai Shun, Leung Thomas and Lau Siu Wa.
[See more: Here are some F3 and F4 drivers to look out for at the 2023 Macau Grand Prix]
Darryl O’Young becomes a three-time Macau GT Cup winner
Driving a Mercedes-AMG, Hong Kong’s Darryl O’Young started the Macau Greater Bay Area GT Cup (GT3) in pole position, with China’s Ling Kang and Macao’s Kevin Tse behind him.
It was a dramatic race. Tse’s blue Mercedes-AMG spun at the Lisboa Bend after Yang Liao’s Porche hit the rear of his vehicle. The incident caused about six cars with nowhere to go. Not long after, Macao’s Liu Lic Ka crashed at turn 12. The episode caused a yellow flag and safety car in the 7th lap, with the race only commencing at the end of lap five.
O’Young eventually crossed the finish line after having to defend throughout the race against Kang’s Lamborghini Hurácan who was just 0.9 seconds behind him. Third place went to Taiwan’s Chien-Shang Chang.
[See more: Five female racers you’ll see at the 2023 Macau Grand Prix]
The Macau Greater Bay Area GT Cup (GT4) race got suspended after 4 laps
The 8-lap GT4 race was to have been a battle between the top four racers: Adam Robert Christodoulou, Luo Kailuo, Han Lichao and Liang Jia Tong.
Luo took the lead from Christodoulou in the opening lap, while Tong moved up a place as well. Tong, who tried to overtake right after, ended up going straight off the track at the Lisboa Bend – almost hitting the back of Christodoulou by a whisker.
The race ended in the fourth lap after Lee Yen-Han hit the barrier right before the Hairpin Bend. A red flag was raised after multiple cars stacked up behind Lee. His car on the TV screen showed some leaked fluid which led to the race being suspended.
The podium finishers were Luo Kailuo, Adam Robert Christodoulou and Liang Jia Tong.
