The Formula 3
Macau Grand Prix
The Macau Grand Prix is the official FIA Intercontinental Cup of Formula 3. Demand for hotel room will be so high that I suggest you book your hotel reservation early.
About Formula 3
Formula 3 is one of the world's most successful racing formulae with national championships throughout Europe, America, Asia and Australia, making it the most recognised and best understood racing driver's school.
It has flourished from its humble beginnings into one of the most competitive and significant feeder championships ever. It has produced many drivers that have gone on to become F1 legends, Sports Car and CART stars.
For example, in the year 2004, of 22 Formula 1 drivers, 20 went through Formula 3!
The Formula 3 cars are state-of-the-art single seater machines, powered by two litre racing engines, which reach speeds of over 260 kph.
The Formula 3 (FIA Intercontinental Cup) Sporting Regulations demand that all the cars be of equal performance so that the drivers race under equal conditions.
Ultimate showdown of the best drivers
The drivers are the champions of all the various Formula 3 series run around
the world throughout the season, including the British, European and Japanese
Formula 3 series.
Two other major Formula 3 events are held during the year - the FIA Formula 3 European Cup at Pau and at the Zandvoort Masters of Formula 3 in Holland.
The teams and drivers come to compete on Macau's testing Guia Circuit at the end of their respective championships for a season-closer which decides the best Formula 3 driver in the world.
Thus the Macau Grand Prix usually becomes the ultimate showdown of the best of the racing world of each category. The Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix is the last and the most prestigious of international racing in this single seater category for the year.
Check here for the 2004 provisional programme/schedule: from 18 - 21 November.
Showcase for Formula 1 aspirants.
At the same time, the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix continues to be an excellent showcase for Formula 1 aspirants.
Formula 1 and other major world championship series are wrapped up for the year. There are no events competing for attention and many F1 team managers are in Asia’s gambling oasis for Sunday’s race.
Thus the Macau Grand Prix has become a stepping stone for future Formula 1 drivers. Famous drivers include Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen, David Coulthard and Ralf Schumacher. All these Formula 1 drivers having graduated from the narrow, twisting Guia street circuit.
Definitely the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix can make or break a young racing driver's career.
READY,
SET, GO!
Hold in to your hats and get ready for a lap of Macau's unique Guia Circuit
with 2001 Macau winner Takuma Sato
"Macau is the greatest circuit in the world I think. It's so challenging.
Normally on a street circuit there is no opportunity to overtake, but here there
are great opportunities.
On the mountainside it's almost impossible, but by the sea there are long, long
straights - as long as Fuji. There are kinks along it, but in an F3 car they
are easily flat, so the best place to overtake is at the end of the straight,
into Lisboa." (new
window; from gp.macau.grandprix.gov.mo website)
Ayrton Senna's ticket to Formula 1
Ayrton
Senna is among the greatest Formula 1 drivers who passed through Macau was.
He won the 1983 Cup with Hong Kong's Theodore Racing. Earlier that year, the young Brazilian won the British F-3 Championship, but was not seriously pursued by Formula 1 teams at the time of his arrival in Macau. In fact he was rejected by Brabham only a few weeks earlier.
So Ayrton used the Macau Grand Prix to produce a sterling performance to convince the Formula 1 supremos that he was for real. Despite the presence of Roberto Guerrero who had two seasons in Formula 1 under his belt, Martin Brundle, and Gerhard Berger, Senna displayed his typical daredevil speed.
Ayrton Senna was simply unstoppable. He won the first leg by more than 5 seconds and the second leg by another 6 seconds.
The Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix podium finish led to his signing with the Toleman Formula 1 team a few weeks after Macau
Ayrton Senna finally made his Formula 1 debut in the following season.
Between 1984 and 1994, Ayrton won the Formula 1 title three times and became one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history.
It begun in Macau. The Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix gave him the ticket to Formula 1.
Click here to see the Formula 1 car in Macau!
The 51st Macau Grand Prix
Official Macau Grand Prix online ticket prices and booking
English language - here. -
Chinese
language booking here.
Buy motor racing books from Amazon!
Interesting links re. Macau Grand Prix
Ayrton
Senna
The end of the year 1983 for Formula Three was celebrated in the Portuguese
enclave of Macau at the Macau Grand Prix with drivers from all of the national
series. Senna won and negotiations between him and a number of Formula One teams
became serious.
More Formula 1 Drivers Biography from AtlasF1 (new window)
2004 Formula 1 Team's Portfolio from AtlasF1 (new window)
Download the 38th Motorcycle Grand Prix Regulations (pdf)
Back to the Macau Grand Prix page
Photo from Macau Grand Prix Committee
Online Macau Hotel Deals Super-savers, web deals, exclusive promotions — Click here to find today's best deals in Macau lodging!
Resort Hotels: Westin Resort Hotel | Mandarin Oriental | Regency Hotel
Macau Hotels: Landmark Hotel | Pousada de Sao Tiago | Lisboa Hotel | Sands Casino Hotel | Holiday Inn Hotel | Sintra Hotel | Beverly Hotel | Casa Real Hotel | Emperor Hotel | Fortuna Hotel | Fu Hua Hotel | Golden Dragon Hotel | Kingsway Hotel | Metropole Hotel | Nam Yue Hotel | Presidente Hotel | Ritz Hotel | Best Western Sun Sun | Guia Hotel | Royal Hotel | Pousada de Mongha | Mondial Hotel
Taipa and Coloane: New Century Hotel | Grandview Hotel | Best Western Taipa Hotel | Taipa Square Hotel | Pousada Marina Infante Hotel
TOP or Click here to go to Macau Travel Homepage
This site is Powered by Site Build It!