Macau Grand Prix: blue riband Formula Three race cancelled and replaced by Formula Four for 2020 event
- The blue riband race, part of the rich history of the Macau Grand Prix, will not take place this year because of the pandemic
- The race will be replaced by Formula 4, a racing car category intended for junior drivers
For the first time in 37 years, the Formula Three race will not be part of the Macau Grand Prix as organisers try to save this year’s annual showpiece event that has been ravaged by uncertainties caused by the coronavirus.
Since 1983, Formula Three cars have been part and parcel of the Macau Grand Prix, which this year marks its 67th edition. The late, great Ayrton Senna, of Brazil, heralded a new era by winning the inaugural Formula Three race in 1983. This year, fans will not be able to watch the world’s up-and-coming young drivers battle it out on the famous 3.8 mile Guia circuit like before.
Organisers said the blue riband Formula Three race will be cancelled and replaced by FIA Formula Four, which is an open-wheel racing car category intended for junior drivers.
Pun Weng Kun, director of the Macau Sports Bureau, who heads the Macau Grand Prix Organising Committee, said at a press conference on Friday the Macau Grand Prix will be held from November 19-22 but because of the Covid-19 pandemic the programme will be significantly changed.
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“We are aware that this is a unique year due to the unpredictability caused by the pandemic,” said Pun at the press conference.
“Excluding Formula One, many other categories have suffered changes, with many competitions cancelled. The organising committee, together with FIA and health authorities, conducted joint efforts to organise a Macau Grand Prix edition that we are sure will be a success.”
It is understood that the biggest stumbling block for Formula Three teams is Macau’s 14-day quarantine regulations in response to the pandemic crisis. That means that drivers from Europe or from as far as Brazil would need to quarantine for two weeks before they can race. Foreign nationals without a residence permit in Macau have been barred from entering the city since the pandemic outbreak broke earlier this year.
The new Formula Four race will feature drivers primarily from China while drivers in the Macau GT Cup will be selected from the China GT Championship and Asia-Pacific GT as well as the Macau Guia Race from the TCR Asia Series and the Asia-Pacific Touring Cars 2.0T races.
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Macau has largely been spared by the pandemic with only 46 confirmed Covid-19 cases since January 22. The Special Administration Region has not confirmed a new case for more than one week.
The Macau Motorcycling Grand Prix will still go ahead but probably without the top British riders that have dominated the race for many years. The race is celebrating its 57th year but don’t expect the likes of Michael Rutter, a nine-time champion of the race, returning to Macau this time around.
Organisers said 6-7 races will be held during the Macau Grand Prix weekend and it is likely the drivers and riders will be sourced predominately from Asia.
Suncity Group, who has sponsored the Macau Grand Prix for the past six years, will no longer be title sponsors of the event.
