FIA GT and F3 World Cups to headline 2023 Macau Grand Prix

FIA-sanctioned races are set to return to the renowned Asian street circuit as part of a three-year agreement resulting from joint efforts by the FIA, Macau’s FIA member club, Automobile General Association Macao-China (AAMC), and the Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee.

The two FIA competitions will take place from 16 – 19 November, with the action kicking off on Thursday and the format featuring two 40-minute-long free practice sessions and two qualifying sessions for Formula 3, as well as two 30-minute practice sessions followed by single qualifying of the same duration for GT cars.

Both competitions will be held across two race heats over the weekend, each with a qualifying race followed by a title-deciding main race. The race durations will be 10 and 15 laps for F3 and 12 and 16 laps for GT cars. The F3 World Cup winner will be classed as the overall Macau Grand Prix winner.

Between 2020 and 2022 FIA competitions did not feature on the schedule of the Macau GP due to the pandemic situation. This year, in honour of the historic 70th anniversary, the event will be held across two consecutive weekends, with the second featuring FIA World Cups.

Entries for both competitions will open on 1 July with the deadlines set for 31st August for the FIA GT World Cup for 30 September for the FIA F3 World Cup.

Marek Nawarecki, Director of FIA Circuit Sport Department, said: “The return of the FIA GT World Cup is great news. The volume of manufacturers involved and homologated cars make the GT3 platform the FIA’s most successful customer racing category. It is therefore important that it has its own pinnacle in the form of a standalone sprint format event awarding an FIA World Cup title. The importance of the GT3 class will further grow, therefore having FIA racing back at the streets of Macau is an extremely positive development for all involved, including the fans as this circuit has always produced great racing. I’m expecting a strong entry with wide range of GT3 models and with some of the world’s best GT drivers on the grid.”

Nikolas Tombazis, FIA Single-Seater Director, said: “We are all very pleased to see the return of the FIA Formula 3 World Cup in Macau – the history of Macau and Formula 3 is one of the most renowned stories in motor sport and the event has long been the highlight of the junior single-seater calendar. Over the decades many of the biggest names in racing have been tested at the Macau Grand Prix, as an outstanding performance around the Guia Circuit is a sure sign of talent and commitment. It is fantastic news that the story is set to continue with the current generation of Formula 3 cars that made successful debut on the streets of Macau back in 2019. Thanks to the hard work and collaboration between the FIA, AAMC, the Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee and the FIA Formula 3 Championship Promoter, FIA Formula 3 World Cup has a bright future.”

Mr. Pun Weng Kun, Coordinator of the Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee, said: “The Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee is honored to continue to receive the trust and support of the FIA. Hosting the FIA GT World Cup and the FIA F3 World Cup at the 70th Macau Grand Prix is a testament to the FIA’s recognition of our organizational abilities, and will further strengthen the standing of the Macau Grand Prix within the international motorsport industry. We look forward to continuing working with the FIA in finalizing the details of the return of the events, and to welcoming elite drivers to compete on our world-renowned Guia Circuit.”