The 71st Macau Grand Prix, which took place last November, not only shone the spotlight on motor sport’s future, it paid homage to the past, at the same time playing an important role in promoting the region of Macau itself
One of the highlights of the international motor sport calendar, the Macau Grand Prix ushered in an exciting new era with the inclusion of the FIA FR World Cup as its new flagship contest. An accessible and globally recognisable junior single-seater category proved just as popular as the previous regulation cycles with a packed grid featuring several up-and-coming talents, Formula 1 teams proteges included.
“It’s the first time we had the FIA FR World Cup in Macau and the young drivers, the teenagers, could follow Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, two legends of the sport,” said President of the Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government and Coordinator of the Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee Luís Gomes. “When they were young, they achieved the milestone of racing and winning in Macau. Now it’s the turn of the next generation and this is very important. The Guia Circuit is also a special track, one of the best in the world with no margin for error, so it’s great for them to learn.”
Following three years of absence resulting from the global health pandemic, FIA-sanctioned races were back on the streets of Macau in 2023 thanks to the joint efforts of the FIA, Automobile General Association Macao-China (AAMC), Macau’s FIA Member Club, and the Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee.
“The pandemic was a tough period and many things were held back all over the world, not only motor sport,” Gomes said. “The Grand Prix continued during the pandemic years. It was important for the Grand Prix brand because we didn’t stop and we showed to the world we were dedicated to motor sport.”
The return in 2023 was as significant this year as it was when the Macau Grand Prix turned 70.
“The Macau Grand Prix is one of our biggest events, especially in terms of sport events,” Gomes said. “It’s very symbolic and very historical, everyone knows the Macau Grand Prix. But there is also a lot of culture in Macau, between western and eastern, it’s a special place. The Grand Prix is one of our best events, but we also have some other excellent events. We are trying to build Macau as a city of sport, but we will continue to develop the Macau Grand Prix and make it sustainable as one of the best motor sport events in the world.”
Gomes continued: “Macau is very unique with different types of motor sport, with the motorbikes as well as the races for cars. But the Macau Grand Prix is a platform for different cultural events, sports, the economy, hospitality. There are possibilities for local designers, entrepreneurs, they can all cooperate with the Grand Prix. And you have the hotels and other companies from different industries that can benefit.
“The spectators come from all over the world to see the Macau Grand Prix and it’s becoming a new experience for people from mainland China who didn’t previously know about motor sport. Some of the famous brands from China like Lynk & Co have joined the FIA TCR World Tour, which races in Macau. This is a positive way to develop motor sport culture in mainland China.”
As well as the annual Grand Prix, Macau has its own museum dedicated to the event. It’s a must-see attraction and hugely important, according to Gomes.
“The museum is absolutely fantastic, a wonderful presentation of the history and the legend of the Grand Prix, but also how motor sport has changed. The BMW of Andy Priaulx is there, he was an idol for me winning the FIA World Touring Car Championship in Macau. It’s my dream car actually and the museum is one of the best ways to educate the younger ones on how Macau has developed and changed. It tells the story of Macau but the story continues year by year with always something new happening, it is wonderful.”
