The UK’s Freddie Slater of SJM Theodore Prema Racing finished yesterday’s first qualifying session for the Macau Grand Prix FIA FR World Cup with the fastest lap at 2m15.708, taking the provisional pole position.
This year marks the 17-year-old’s third time to compete in Macau.
In second place was France’s Shanghai-born Enzo Deligny of R-Ace GP followed by Spain’s Mari Boya from KCMG ENYA PINNACLE MOTORSPORT, respectively finishing yesterday’s qualifying race at 2:16.016 and 2:16.029.
Yesterday’s qualifying races saw three red flags. In the final 10 minutes, Slater delivered a lap of 2m16.132 seconds before a red flag was brought out for Japan’s Hiyu Yamakoshi, who crashed at the Lisboa Bend.
In the restart, Deligny improved upon Slater’s time to 2m16.016 seconds just before a second red flag came out for Trident’s Reza Seewooruthun from Britain, who had crashed.
This left only five minutes for drivers to have one last shot at a fast lap. During this short window, Deligny made a mistake and couldn’t improve his time. His second attempt was ended after a final red flag came out after Kiyoshi Umegaki crashed into the barriers at Dona Maria Bend. Before then, Slater had found space on the track and produced a best effort of 2m15.708, securing provisional pole position.
Speaking with English-speaking media after the post-race conference, Slater said he aims to win this year’s race. With that, he added that there is still work to be done ahead of the remaining qualifying races and Sunday’s final. “We’ve had a good day so far, but there’s still a long way to go. We’re practising qualifying again tomorrow [today], so that’s full reset for everybody. We’ve got to try and keep our heads down and find a little bit more pace, and see what we can do in the races after tomorrow [today]”.
The second qualifying race is scheduled to take place today at 2:30 p.m.
-Additional reporting by the Macau Grand Prix Organising Committee (MGPOC)
The UK’s Freddie Slater competes during yesterday’s qualifying session for the Macau Grand Prix FIA FR World Cup. – Photo: Rui Pastorin
