The Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee brings seven different races to Macau. The FIA Formula Regional (FR) World Cup is making its absolute debut, which features 27 drivers from 15 nationalities.
Among these, there are FIA Karting, Formula 4, and Formula Regional champions, and this edition also marks the return of Japanese drivers, absent from the Guia Circuit since 2018.
This truly international group will continue the long and illustrious history of this unique event, as they strive to join the list of famous drivers who have already conquered the immense challenge of the streets of Macau.
In the days leading up to the race, the Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee brought the Family Festival to Tap Seac.
On the other hand, the FR category has already cemented its position on the ladder to the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, as evidenced by the 2023 European Formula Regional Champion, Kimi Antonelli, who will become a Mercedes F1 driver in 2025.
All current F1 teams have junior drivers competing in a Formula Regional championship, and there are five drivers integrated into these programs competing in the FR World Cup. Defending the honor of Macau will be the 17-year-old driver, Tiago Rodrigues, who made his debut in the Grand Prix in the F4 category last year.
Also noteworthy are the F3 drivers, Oliver Goethe (Red Bull driver), Mari Boya (Pinnacle driver) and Dino Beganovich (Ferrari-backed driver), with several victories between them. Also, the sensation of Italian F4, Freddie Slater, will be present, along with Alex Dunne (McLaren protégé) and Noel Leon, who partners with Mari at Pinnacle.
GT3 Strengthens Favorite Status
2023 – Macau GT Cup – FIA GT World Cup
The debut of GT3 cars in Macau, as a supercar race, occurred when the Grand Prix organizers were looking for some innovation in the event’s program. The seed was planted, and in 2008, the Macau GT Cup was created. In 2015, the event received a new promotion, with the creation of the GT World Cup.
The race will feature 23 drivers competing for Mercedes, Lamborghini, Audi, Porsche, BMW and Ferrari. The presence of all previous winners is guaranteed: Maro Engel, Laurens Vanthoor, Edoardo Mortara, Augusto Farfus and Raffaele Marciello. The event has evolved, becoming one of the favorites among spectators on the program.
Motorcycles Maintain a Strong Presence
2023 – Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – 55th Edition
The Motorcycle Grand Prix isn’t a founding race of the Macau Grand Prix, but it’s a special race that spectators follow with great interest.
As the only two-wheeled race, its unique nature provides a glimpse into the dangerous side of the Guia Circuit that comes with superbike racing. In Macau, we get a taste of the Isle of Man or the North West 200.
This year will be no different, with big names from the world of superbikes and highly experienced riders in attendance. Notably, Michael Rutter, the rider with the most wins in Macau, still chasing his tenth victory.
Joining Rutter are other prominent figures, such as Peter Hickman, a four-time winner in Macau with victories at the Isle of Man and North West 200, as well as Finland’s Erno Kostamo, winner of the local race in 2022.
Eternal Guia
2023 – Macau Guia Race – Kumho TCR World Tour Event of Macau
The race that shares the circuit’s name is a survivor—and thankfully so. We’ve lost count of the formats and names this race has gone by over the years, but it has never lost its status as a marquee event. It’s one of the races with the closest connection to local fans, often featuring participation from local drivers.
On the other hand, it’s common for world touring titles to be decided here. This year, 32 cars and drivers from 17 nationalities will be in Macau for the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour, including drivers from the Chinese and Asian championships.
The top five drivers in the TCR World Tour arrive in Macau separated by only 27 points. Norbert Michelisz (the current champion) leads the standings, followed by Esteban Guerrieri, Thed Bjork, Yann Ehrlacher, and Mikel Azcona. Also worth noting is Rob Huff, who holds an absolute record with 9 wins in this race. This time, however, Macau will not have any local drivers in the event.
Qualitative Investment
2023 – Macau Roadsport Challenge
Not all races in the Macau Grand Prix program can be marquee events, but that doesn’t mean the organization overlooks the other races—far from it.
There has been a noticeable investment in the races typically known as support events, including the GT4 category in the Greater Bay Area Race, as well as the Macau Roadsport Cup and the Roadsport Challenge races.
