F3 – Felix Rosenqvist on provisional pole in Macau

This is THE legendary track of the Formula 3. The circuit on which everyone dreams of triumphing. As impressive as their record is, drivers who have won on the streets in this former Portuguese colony will all tell you that they rank this success among their greatest memories. This year, there are 28 hoping to win, 27 hoping to prevent Antonio Félix da Costa from retaining his crown. But the track is very technical and difficult to understand. Carlos Sainz Jr (Carlin), Felix Rosenqvist (GR Asia with Mücke), Jordan King (Carlin), Lucas Wolf (URD Rennsport) and Stefano Coletti (Eurointernational) learned this the hard way by playing the rails a little too closely during the first free practice session. “I have never driven in Pau or Monaco, but Macau is for me the most difficult circuit in the world”, does not hesitate to affirm Alexander Sims. “It’s a track on which you cannot afford to make the slightest mistake” continues Antonio Félix da Costa.

The first free practice session this morning saw Briton Alex Lynn (Theodore Racing by Prema) set the best time. But during the first qualifying session, Felix Rosenqvist did better, completing a lap in 2'12"751 which will remain the best time of the day. But the Swede does not want to stop there. “There will be more grip tomorrow, underlines the FIA ​​F3 European vice-champion. I will also analyze the two or three places where I could improve, even if I feel really good in the second sector. My time today should guarantee me a place in the top 10, but it will certainly go faster tomorrow (during the second qualifying session. Ed.) ».
 
The top three is completed by Antonio Felix da Costa and Alexander Sims. “I needed a little time to get my bearings behind the wheel of an F3, admits the Portuguese, who was rampant this year in Formula Renault 3.5 Series. The plateau is high, so it's good to be in the rhythm, even if I approached the two riding sessions of the day as free sessions. We will make a lot of progress tomorrow. » But be careful, as he previously admitted, the slightest error will not be allowed. Alex Lynn is well placed to talk about this. “I was the fastest this morning and I went out this afternoon. It's typical of Macau, regrets the latter. I will absolutely have to get to the front tomorrow in qualifying. »

Tomorrow, competitors will have the right to a free session before competing in the second qualifying session in the middle of the afternoon.