Macau Grand Prix: Chinese drivers set to roar as Hong Kong’s Darryl O’Young tries to make amends for 2020 disappointment
- Drivers mostly from Hong Kong, China and Macau are to feature in the 68th edition of the Macau Grand Prix amid Covid-19 restrictions
- Competitors will take part in six races over the Guia street circuit with the GT Cup, F4 and Guia race likely to attract the most attention
Chinese drivers can make their mark at this weekend’s Macau Grand Prix, Hong Kong Automobile Association Governor Lawrence Yu Kam-kei said – as Covid-19 restrictions result in a reduced field with most of the competitors coming from the mainland.
For the second year in a row, the Macau GP weekend will be held on a smaller scale with six races being staged on the streets of the famous tight and twisting Guia circuit.
A small number drivers are from Hong Kong, including Darryl O’Young in the Macau GT Cup. The Hong Kong drivers need to overcome the effects of a three-week quarantine period before taking to the streets when qualifying for the 68th Macau Grand Prix starts on Friday with two racing days over the weekend.
“The pandemic, with tight quarantine measures, is one of the reasons so many mainland drivers are taking part in Macau but motor racing is growing fast in China,” said Yu. “They have produced more drivers in the sport and with more than 10 racing circuits in the country, they have sufficient training and competition for their drivers to perform well despite the pandemic. They may create some surprises in Macau this year.
“But of course, Hong Kong drivers always have a place in Macau due to our long tradition in motor racing and O’Young will be the one to watch in the powerful GT race because of his vast international experience. But he also suffers because of the pandemic and having not had any racing in the region. He will need to adjust his form, physically and mentality, as quickly as possible when he takes to the starting grid.”
O’Young is extra determined this year after an unpleasant experience at the 2020 event. The 41-year-old, who last won the race in 2008, narrowly missed the podium and finished fourth last year after he was given a “harsh” penalty of 30 seconds for rule violations in the qualifying event, which he won. The Craft-Bamboo Racing driver, however, has put the incident behind him as he returns to the 6.2km street circuit in search of the podium in his first race since last year’s Macau Grand Prix,
“There are some tough competitors in the field this year, so it will require a strong race performance to come out on top,” said O’Young. “The Guia circuit is unique, though, as it’s one of those tracks where the biggest challenge isn’t against your competitors, but rather against yourself to drive well and not make mistakes.
“There is very limited track time this year [after quarantine], so I will also have to count on my experience on the track as well as from last year’s race. I think with all these factors and circumstances around the pandemic, this could be the toughest year yet out of my 17 starts in the Macau GP, but I can’t wait to get back on track.”
O’Young, who will be in a Mercedes-AMG GT3, will face defending champion Ye Hongli, of China, as well as last year’s runner-up, Marchy Lee Ying-kin, of the Uno Racing team, who will be driving his Vantage GT3 by Aston Martin. Another driver to watch will be China-based Swiss Alexandre Imperatori, of Meidong Racing, who is in a Porsche 911 GT3 R.
After qualification, there will be an eight-lap race on Saturday to decide the grid positions for the 12-lap final on Sunday.
The Guia Race will be the finale of the 2021 TCR Asia North Series in its first season, featuring mostly mainland drivers. Leading the table are two Chinese, Zhang Zhiqiang and Ma Qinghua, both of Shell Teamwork Lynk & Co Racing, who are on 213 points and 191 respectively after five rounds.
In Formula 4, defending champion and home driver Charles Leong Hon Chio, of Theodore Smartlife, Racing Team, will start as the favourite.
