Two-time Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix winner Felix Rosenqvist will return to the famous Asian street event for the 2017 edition next month, commencing a new chapter at the Guia Circuit as he steps across to the FIA GT World Cup category.
With two wins and two second-place finishes to his name, Rosenqvist is the most successful driver in the history of the Macau F3 classic, and will now attempt to add to his achievements in the former Portuguese colony in the GT3 race that shares the same bill.
The 25-year-old Swede will contest the event’s FIA GT World Cup – the most prestigious sprint-style GT race in the world – behind the wheel of a Ferrari 488 GT3, entered by American team Scuderia Corsa.
“It’s no secret that I’m pretty emotional about the Macau Grand Prix,” says Felix Rosenqvist. “It’s one of my absolute favourite events in the world and I’ve enjoyed some of the most significant success of my career on the Guia streets. Coming back there this year in a brand new environment will only add to the excitement. I’ve never driven anything else than an F3 car around there, and I’m sure the GT3 Ferrari will be something very different. It’s going to be a massive challenge going up against the best GT drivers on the planet, but at the same time it’s actually quite refreshing going to Macau as a bit of an underdog.”
Rosenqvist – whose two Macau F3 wins came in back-to-back events in 2014 and 2015 – has limited experience of GT competition, a race-winning season of Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup action in 2016 his only proper take on the category.
The Los Angeles-based Scuderia Corsa squad was formed in 2013, and will tackle the ultra-demanding Macau track for the very first time next month. The team has claimed the GTD crown in America’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in each of the last two years, with GTE-Am class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2016 marking another highlight.
”Competing in Macau for the win is an incredible opportunity,” says team boss Giacomo Mattioli. “Felix’s record speaks for itself, quite remarkable in Macau, and between his driving and the depth of our team, we’re confident in our ability to deliver.”
A total of six manufacturers are set to participate in the 2017 FIA GT World Cup, with Ferrari joined by Audi, Mercedes, BMW, Porsche and Honda for the November 16-19 extravaganza.
Just two weeks after contesting Macau, Felix Rosenqvist will commence the 2017-18 Formula E season just across the Pearl River delta in central Hong Kong.
Rosenqvist is currently on site in Japan for this weekend’s Super Formula finale, where he remains in the running for the title in only his first season in the championship.