205 replies to this topic

[balage06]

It's official, this year's F3 Macau GP will feature the latest-spec FIA Formula 3 (ex-GP3) cars:

http://www.fiaformul...c-Guia-Circuit/

 

FIA Single-Seater Commission President, Stefano Domenicali, said: “The FIA F3 World Cup is one of the ultimate tests for young drivers, and we have worked hard to ensure it remains among the most prestigious events on the motor sport calendar. We are currently enjoying a hugely competitive and hard-fought FIA Formula 3 Championship season, and the prospect of seeing this impressive grid line up in Macau is very exciting.

 

“These cars are more powerful than the previous iterations of F3, and have the latest safety features for single-seater machines. Couple this with the changes being made to the Guia Circuit this year, and I’m looking forward to a safe and spectacular FIA F3 World Cup.”

 

I'm not against the decision, because the field looks particularly strong and competitive, BUT it's certainly a bold move after Sophia's crash last year. The new chassis is probably even safer and the organizers were told to make modifications around the circuit to improve safety, but these cars are wider and more powerful, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the current F3 car can easily reach the 280-300 kph range before Lisboa, especially with DRS open. Which, on one hand, will be surely spectacular, but also terrifying. Anyway, I'm looking forward to how all of this will turn out.

 

2019 Macau Grand Prix Schedule

14/11 Thursday - 10:05-10:45 - Free Practice 1

14/11 Thursday - 14:30-15:10 - Qualifying 1

15/11 Friday - 11:30-12:10 - Free Practice 2

15/11 Friday - 15:10-15:50 - Qualifying 2

16/11 Saturday - 09:00-10:00 - Qualifying Race (10 laps)

17/11 Sunday - 15:30-16:30 - Macau Grand Prix (15 laps)

All times are in China Standard Time, UTC+8

Edited by balage06, 01 November 2019 - 12:02.

[Muppetmad]

I guess this all depends on what changes are being made to the circuit. From the way they are wording this, I sense an awkward chicane somewhere between Hotel Mandarin and Lisboa is on its way. This would be a shame, but if the speeds are going to be even higher than previous years, I don't see how Lisboa can be made safer otherwise: no safety features on the car will protect the marshals if there is a repeat of Floersch's crash and the catch-fencing can't keep the car on the circuit.

 

DRS would surely need disabling for the event. It's not needed and would simply be asking for trouble.

Edited by Muppetmad, 05 July 2019 - 05:58.

[Stephane]

Does it mean less specialist one-offs ?

 

I loved how the grid was a mix of drivers from different series.

[Stephane]

I don't see how Lisboa can be made safer otherwise: no safety features on the car will protect the marshals if there is a repeat of Floersch's crash and the catch-fencing can't keep the car on the circuit.

 

 

 

Remove the "take-off kerb", for a start.

[Peat]

To my eye, the change required is obvious, and has been for years!

You have the inside barrier follow the line of the kerbs to the apex. That way, an out of control car is fired down the escape road (which you can make as long as you like with whatever restraining systems you fancy) instead of AT a 90deg barrier. It's fairly standard practice at FIA events so i'm suprised Macau has been allowed to slip under the radar for so long. I can only imagine it was argued it offered better visibility in the regular event of pile-ups there. 

eg: Most FE tracks employ this method of barriering to stop big crashes and T-bones:

 

In searching for pictures of Lisboa, I was also suprised to see that as recently as 2014, there was no catch fencing atop the barriers on the exit, infront of the photographers box. (and a flipping huge lampost!!! The only concession there is a wrap of polystyrene...)

The ones that played a factor in arresting Floerchs' crash (The back of her car hitting the fencing changed it's orientation, flipping it backward so she **** the photographers box top-on. It could be argued that had it maintained it's unabated gearbox-first tragectory, things could have been alot worse for those inside the photographers box. 

 

Before we wet the bed about 'neutering' tracks etc, these sorts of fixes are really low hanging fruit and could make things alot safer for neglible loss of spectacle. 

Edited by Peat, 05 July 2019 - 07:59.

[Anja]

Does it mean less specialist one-offs ?

 

I loved how the grid was a mix of drivers from different series.

 

That's what I'm afraid of, the new F3 chassis isn't used anywhere else I think. I guess there's a chance that the current F3 teams could field drivers other than the F3 regulars. 

[krapmeister]

Is Dan Ticktum going to come and kick everyone's ass?

[HistoryFan]

that's a bad decision for the Japanese Formula 3 teams.

[balage06]

I was curious so I checked the speed in the simulator, of course, neither the car nor the circuit is 100% accurate, but in theory, if there would be a DRS zone after Mandarin, cars would reach 290 kph before Lisboa even without slipstreaming and with moderate downforce, but just for fun, I checked what happens when I open the DRS right after the first corner and somehow survive Mandarin without closing it.

 

 

[Muppetmad]

They're seriously considering DRS for Macau? That's just asking for trouble (and will, I imagine, just lead to worse racing).

[Marklar]

[ANF]

Habsburg, eh?

To be honest I'd love to see Ticktum make it three in a row.

[Risil]

This looks cool, can we add dates and times to the OP?

[Reynard88D]

Habsburg, eh?

To be honest I'd love to see Ticktum make it three in a row.

 

Habsburg seems to be a real enthusiast driver, as well as quite well off, guess he thinks there's unfinished business at Macau, hope he goes well.

 

I'm with you on hoping Ticktum gets a hatrick, love him or loath him i think he was hard done by Dr Marko, who lets be honest has made loads of clueless decisions with drivers, so good luck to him and Carlin.

 

Hope someone beats the Prema gang

 

Interesting Renault backed Fewtrell has left Renault supported ART and gone to Hitech, wonder why that is?

[HistoryFan]

wow nice line-ups. Hope we'll see Flörsch back in the 3rd HWA.

[jonpollak]

This looks cool, can we add dates and times to the OP?

Yeah.... that’s and broadcasting info is all I need.
Jp

[ANF]

Date: 14–17 November

Schedule: https://www.macau.gr...n/info/schedule (China Standard Time, UTC +8)

[jonpollak]

There ya go... I’m all set.
Jp

[Izzyeviel]

Theres another Schumacher?

[PiperPa42]

Yes, Ralfs son. 

[efuloni]

Why is Fittipaldi racing under italian flag? Is it a typo?

[Viryfan]

Why is Fittipaldi racing under italian flag? Is it a typo?

Driving license, not passport which counts until f1.

[LucaP]

He's related to Max Papis...maybe that's why

[HistoryFan]

Alessio Lorandi set to join Trident for the Macau Grand Prix:

 

http://www.formulasc...rand-prix/55642

[PiperPa42]

Frederik Vesti will take Dauvalas seat for the Macau GP.

[balage06]

Flörsch returns with HWA:

https://www.motorspo...rn-hwa/4590524/

 

(Updated the OP with the schedule)

[mangeliiito]

Hope she does well, she really deserves that!

Have anyone seen where it will be broadcasted? Only TV or online as well?

[balage06]

Hope she does well, she really deserves that!

Have anyone seen where it will be broadcasted? Only TV or online as well?

 

Last year, there was an official global stream on livestream.com

 

And it looks like the FIA will post the links on its website as well.

[Peat]

UK Times:

 

Sat:

F3 Qualifcation Race - 0100-0200

GT World Cup Q Race - 0505-0605

WTCR Race 1              - 0630-0720

Macau Motorcylce GP  - 0755-0855

 

Sun:

WTCR Race 2 - 0020-0110

WTCR Race 3  - 0300-0400

GT World Cup Race  - 0425-0540

F3 Macau Grand Prix - 0730-0830

[sportyskells]

Still waiting to find out if ANY UK broadcaster will show the F3 races live

Edited by sportyskells, 11 November 2019 - 15:05.

[Fatgadget]

Macau always said in the same breath as Monaco...why then  is it such a damp squib?

[Peat]

Sorry, are you inferring that Monaco isn't a massive anti-climax every time?

[Muppetmad]

Yeah, Macau is always such a snooze...

 

https://www.youtube....ewf-gvuWBU&t=1s

[balage06]

Updated provisional entry lists are up:

https://www.macau.gr...info/entry-list

[Risil]

Sorry, are you inferring that Monaco isn't a massive anti-climax every time?

 

Almost every time.

[danmills]

Cheeky bet on Liam Lawson.

[balage06]

Is there any info about Pirelli's approach to the weekend? Because if they apply the same philosophy as in FIA F3, tyre management will be the key factor. 

[Sterzo]

Still waiting to find out if ANY UK broadcaster will show the F3 races live

It's not in Eurosport or BT Sport listings. The only hope is that it might be streamed by the FIA on Youtube, but their incoherent website doesn't mention it. There'll probably be something on Youtube later in the day; let's hope so.

[ANF]

We'll find out if there is a live stream in 49 hours when the motorcycle free practice begins. They have been streaming on livestream.com the last couple of years.

[potmotr]

Out of interest, has any of the unrest in Hong Kong seeped over to Macau? 

[SB]

Out of interest, has any of the unrest in Hong Kong seeped over to Macau? 

 

No, the Macau government has been completely controlled by the mainland government already for many years.

[sportyskells]

Well, motorsport TV will show (bar the WTCR bit) the races as I just saw a tweet (cue me hunting for a youtube for the 10 lap race but using my laptop for the 15 lap race)

[SB]

Out of interest, has any of the unrest in Hong Kong seeped over to Macau? 

 

Travel advice : Unfortunately the situation in Hong Kong has worsen a lot from last Friday, and is in biggest chaos since mid-1960's. Protesters' current primary action objective is creating blockage in major roads and transportation, but has no intention to physically harm any general public especially tourists.

 

However pay extra attention when you have seen any police nearby, they are sorta out of control and conflicts would be occur at any time. 

[Peat]

Re: My post #5

It looks as though they have done what I thought they would. 

(note the barrier is now in-line with the dashed white road markings)

I ought charge a commission. 

[Peat]

They're seriously considering DRS for Macau? That's just asking for trouble (and will, I imagine, just lead to worse racing).

 

They have confimed the detection/activation zones as S/F and after Mandarin. 

Massive shame. They'll just blow by one another. 

[motorhead]

Live streams here https://livestream.c...auGP2019-Global

[ANF]

Live streams here https://livestream.c...auGP2019-Global

Thank you!

[ANF]

Live timing will be here: https://www.its-live...ve/gpmacao/2019

Results will be posted here: https://www.its-results.com/
and here: https://www.macau.gr.../en/info/result

Edited by ANF, 13 November 2019 - 22:49.

[potmotr]

Travel advice : Unfortunately the situation in Hong Kong has worsen a lot from last Friday, and is in biggest chaos since mid-1960's. Protesters' current primary action objective is creating blockage in major roads and transportation, but has no intention to physically harm any general public especially tourists.

However pay extra attention when you have seen any police nearby, they are sorta out of control and conflicts would be occur at any time.

Wow so they're targeting this event?

[potmotr]

Just re-watched the Floersch crash.

How incredibly lucky that she hit perhaps the world's only armoured photographer stand!