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Race report

Félix da Costa runner-up in Macau

Five Volkswagen drivers in the top ten.

Antonio Felix da Costa

Antonio Felix da Costa

XPB Images

Last year’s winner António Félix da Costa (P) on the podium and a further four drivers “powered by Volkswagen” in the top ten: the Volkswagen-assisted Carlin team produced an impressive team performance at the Formula 3 Grand Prix in Macau. This year’s street race in the gambler’s paradise of Macau, which is regarded as the “unofficial World Championship”, is Britain’s Alex Lynn.

Antonio Felix da Costa
Antonio Felix da Costa

Photo by: XPB Images

As in Saturday’s qualification race, the Safety Car made an appearance shortly after the start of the 15-lap race on Sunday, due to a crash on the first lap. The six drivers in the Carlin “powered by Volkswagen” team made it through the hectic opening phase unscathed and were all able to gain several places.

Defending champion Félix da Costa, making only his second appearance in a Dallara F312 since his victory in Macau 12 months ago, wasted no time in climbing from fourth into second place. He then set about putting leader Lynn under pressure, but the narrow “Guia Circuit” offered no opportunity for an overtaking manoeuvre.

Jordan King (GB) came home fifth on his Macau debut, making him the best-placed rookie in this year’s race. The young Brit also clocked the fastest lap of the race in a time of 2:11.547 minutes. Jazeman Jaafar (MAL), Carlos Sainz Jr. (E) and Nicolas Latifi (CDN) completed a fine team result for Volkswagen in sixth, seventh and ninth. Harry Tincknell (GB), who started from the back of the field following his retirement from the qualifying race, also made up plenty of ground to cross the finish line in 14th place.

Views after the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix

Jost Capito, Volkswagen Motorsport Director: “I am pleased with the impressive team performance of the six Formula 3 drivers ‘powered by Volkswagen’ in Macau. Our young drivers showed that they are capable of handling pressure and reacting quickly and intelligently under conditions that were far from easy at times. Congratulations to António on his second podium in a row in Macau.”

António Félix da Costa: “I would obviously have liked to win again, but at least I was up there with the front-runners all weekend. As such, I am happy with second place this time around. When return here having won the race, you have to set your sights on another win.

Should that not be possible, however, you at least want to put up a good fight – and I did just that. These guys have been driving the car consistently for the last two or three years, while I drove it for the last time a year ago. I pushed hard behind Lynn, but have to take my hat off to him: he is a worthy winner.”

Jordan King: “I was held up for a long time at the start, but I really enjoyed the race and my first Macau Grand Prix weekend. It has been a fantastic experience and I am delighted to have set the fastest race lap. I would have liked to have overtaken Alexander Sims, but it was not to be. I did my best and had a lot of fun. It goes without saying that I want to come back next year. Macau has a kind of magical appeal.”

Volkswagen Motorsport

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