Macao – Qualifying race: Marciello imperial ahead of Vanthoor

Raffaele Marciello defended his pole position advantage in remarkable fashion to win the FIA ​​GT World Cup qualifying race in Macau ahead of Dries Vanthoor and Antonio Fuoco.

Published 16/11/2024 à 07:47

Dorian Grangier

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Macao – Qualifying race: Marciello imperial ahead of Vanthoor

© BMW Motorsport

  • Raffaele Marciello, again and again! The Italian-Swiss won this Saturday in Macau during the qualifying race for the FIA ​​GT World Cup. Starting from pole position, the BMW driver held off his teammate Dries Vanthoor during the 12 laps of the race to go and clinch the victory and therefore, the pole position for the big race on Sunday. "Lello" therefore wins his fifth consecutive victory in Macau (since 2019), qualifying races and main races combined.
  • The reigning FIA GT World Cup winner was in a tricky position heading into the first corner. Deprived of slipstream, Raffaele Marciello arrived at the Hotel Lisboa behind Dries Vanthoor at the first braking point… but the Belgian made a mistake under braking and left the door open for the BMW #1, which moved inside to reclaim its lead and hold on to it until the finish.

  • After impressive qualifying, BMW took a nice one-two in this qualifying race despite a BoP readjusted before the start. The stewards decided to reduce the turbo pressure by 40 mbar on the BMW M4 GT3 after criticism of the top speed deemed too high of the German mount. The propeller brand, however, places its four cars in the Top 6.
  • Among the "winners" of this qualifying race in terms of positions gained compared to Friday's qualifying, Antonio Fuoco, Alessio Picariello, Christopher Haase and Edoardo Mortara are the four drivers in the Top 10 to have gained a position compared to their position on the grid at the start. The Italian, winner of the 24H of Le Mans this year, managed to steal 3rd place from Maro Engel at the start despite a little contact with his German counterpart.
  • No yellow or red flags came to disrupt this qualifying race, which was surprisingly calm in the narrow streets of Macau. Having had an accident the day before in qualifying, Jules Gounon was able to start in the pit lane. Unfortunately, the Frenchman – who races under an Andorran licence – lacked pace with his Mercedes-AMG just repaired and could not get out of 22nd and last place.

Macau – FIA GT World Cup
Qualifying Race – Ranking

ALSO READ > The 2024 Macau Grand Prix schedule

Dorian Grangier

A young journalist nostalgic for the motorsport of yesteryear. Raised on the exploits of Sébastien Loeb and Fernando Alonso.

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