Vernay wins the ?prefinal? from Macau

Author of a perfect start, Jean-Karl Vernay got the best start in the qualifying race. After a mano a mano two abreast from the Mandarin curve (renamed Gran Lapa) to the braking of Lisboa, Marcus Ericsson took the lead on the inside in front of Edoardo Mortara and Jules Bianchi. The latter unfortunately touched the outside rail before San Francisco, the next corner. The ART driver's chances of winning this Macau GP are over!

Behind, Rosenzweig’s accident at the Mandarin resulted in a neutralization. When the safety car disappeared on the 3rd lap, Vernay prepared his move well, managing to overtake Ericsson from the outside and fall back authoritatively in front of the Swede as Lisboa braked. Really beautiful work!

The sequel confirmed this first option taken by the Signature VW driver, especially as his teammate Mortara, by putting pressure on Ericsson, forced him to watch his mirrors. Mortara even overtook the driver Tom's on the 8th lap. But seeing the green flag realized a little late that he had not seen the yellow signaling the damaged car of English Boyd. Edoardo returned 2nd place to Ercisson shortly after, and that's when the safety car returned to the track. The remaining two laps were covered behind her and we will therefore see Vernay in pole position for the final race. For Signature VW, the provisional group shot is exceptional, with Laurens Vanthoor 5th behind Valtteri Bottas after overflowing Daniel Ricciardo. Other important information: the three drivers of the Bourges team are the rare ones to have kept 4 absolutely new tires for Sunday...