Asia Racing Team is celebrating its 20th anniversary this weekend as the 70th Macau Grand Prix kicks off with the Macau Formula 4 Race as the headliner.
To mark this milestone, the team, founded in Macau in 2003, will field a four-car team consisting of Enzo Yeh, Kevin Xiao, and hometown drivers Marcus Cheung and Tiago Rodrigues.
The 15-year-old driver Enzo Yeh missed the opening round of the Formula 4 South East Asia Championship due to his commitment to the Ferrari Driver Academy World Scouting Finals in Italy. He now faces the challenging Macau Grand Prix, where he will compete in his first-ever F4 race.
Kevin Xiao was one of the pleasant surprises of the recently revitalized Formula 4 South East Asia Championship’s opening round two weeks ago. The Chinese driver won the second race at the Zhuzhou International Circuit.
Tiago Rodrigues, who also made a significant impression in the opening race of the F4 South East Asia Championship, reached the podium in all three races over the weekend. The 16-year-old Macau driver is currently leading the Drivers’ Standings in both the Formula 4 South East Asia Championship and the F4 China Championship, but he is aware that the Macau Grand Prix presents a completely different challenge.
After competing in selected rounds of the F4 China Championship earlier this year, Marcus Cheong is set to make his racing debut in his hometown, marking his first race behind the wheel of the Tatuus F4 T421 GEN2 car.
The Macau Grand Prix weekend commences with a Free Practice session on Saturday morning, followed by a 30-minute Qualifying session later on the day. Sunday begins with an 8-lap Qualifying Race at 8 am (GMT+8), leading up to the 12-lap Macau Formula 4 Race scheduled for later in the day at 3:40 pm.
TEAM QUOTES
Jack Pang (Team Principal): “The Macau Grand Prix is the most significant motorsport event on our calendar. I’m delighted that the team is visiting Macau on its 20th anniversary with a four-car lineup, featuring all young drivers. I’m looking forward to the challenges that the Guia Circuit is going to present to us this time.”
Rodolfo Avila (Team Manager): “We are delighted to be back in Macau with the latest Formula 4 cars and a four-car lineup. Our expectations in terms of results are moderate since none of our drivers have ever driven on the Guia Circuit, and their experience with these cars is limited compared to the competition. However, we will work hard over the weekend, and I am confident that everyone will give their best.”
Marcus Cheong (#4 Driver): “This year, the Formula 4 race in the Macau Grand Prix is an international invitational race, meaning that the level of the drivers will be more professional compared to previous years. For me, it’s a bit challenging to compete at such a high level, but it’s also a great opportunity to learn and gain more experience. My goal is to finish the race in the top 10 at my hometown track.”
Tiago Rodrigues (#7 Driver): “I am looking forward to my first Macau Grand Prix. It is a whole different challenge, but if I can maintain a similar pace to what I had in the Zhuzhou race, which should place me around the top 10, I will strive for it. Undoubtedly, it will be a quite challenging weekend, but I am committed to giving my best.”
Enzo Yeh (#77 Driver): “This is the first time I am taking part in a street race, and I am feeling a bit nervous. My goal is to gain experience and enjoy the race weekend. The grid is very strong this year, and the competition is bound to be fierce! Hopefully, my first street race will go well, and I will have a good weekend.”
Kevin Xiao (#96 Driver): “My expectations for the Macau Grand Prix are to gain more experience. This is my first time driving on this legendary track and the second time driving on a street circuit. Furthermore, this track is very challenging because we are driving just a few centimetres away from the barrier. Hence, this race poses a significant challenge for me.”
