Marciello Goes For Gold in Macau

Raffaele Marciello, the esteemed Swiss driver, ended his tenure with Mercedes-AMG in a fashion as grand as his driving prowess by securing his second FIA GT World Cup title in the adrenaline-charged atmosphere of Macau. This victory marks a significant milestone, as it was his final race with the German automotive giant.

From the outset, Marciello demonstrated a mastery of the iconic Guia Circuit, maintaining a commanding lead from pole position. His performance was a blend of precision and panache, leading every lap and showcasing the superior capability of his Mercedes-AMG Team Landorf car.

The race saw fierce competition for the podium positions. Edoardo Mortara, representing Audi Sport Asia Team Absolute, claimed the second spot, demonstrating skill and determination. Meanwhile, Augusto Farfus of ROWE Racing BMW displayed remarkable resilience, battling from sixth to finish third, further intensifying the race's competitive spirit.

One of the remarkable performances came from Ye Hongli of China, the leading Silver-ranked driver, who achieved a commendable 10th place overall for the Porsche-powered R&B Racing team. His effort underlined the diversity and depth of talent in the field.

The race was not without its share of drama and intensity. A pivotal moment occurred when David Weian Chen's crash in his Harmony Racing Ferrari brought out the safety car. This incident reshaped the race dynamics, further testing the drivers' adaptability and strategic acumen.

Post-race, Marciello reflected on the challenge and satisfaction of racing in Macau, acknowledging the ever-present risk of errors in such a high-stakes environment. His victory was not just a testament to his driving skill but also to his mental fortitude and strategic prowess.

“It was an incredible race,” Marciello said. “In Macau, it’s never easy, a mistake is always around the corner but I’m happy to finish my AMG life in this fashion. Maro was always close, so it wasn’t under control, but when I saw a big gap after the restart I thought I made a mistake and went too early! 

“It was a bit hotter than other days, but we’re used to longer races so tyre degradation wasn’t critical.”

Mortara, on the other hand, highlighted the race's intensity and his team's technical challenges. Despite these hurdles, his second-place finish was a feat of persistence and skill, reflecting the high calibre of competition.

Mortara said: “My race was an intense one from the start to the end. For some reason, we were missing some acceleration and top speed than yesterday, so I had to push even harder in the mountain section, sliding around and touching the walls. I don’t even know how we managed to finish where we finished.

“I guess Maro had a problem. The move wasn’t great but it is what it is. In all honesty, we wouldn’t have been able to challenge.”

The narrative of the race was also shaped by misfortune and opportunity. Sheldon van der Linde's promising performance was cut short due to a tyre issue, allowing Farfus to clinch the third spot. Farfus, expressing gratitude and a touch of fortune, noted the demanding nature of the track and the high level of competition.

“After P8 in qualifying I thought it’s going to be a difficult one,” said Farfus. “I was blocked at the start. I managed to keep the car on track but I lost the momentum.

“It’s a place where you need to be lucky. I’m sorry for Sheldon. He showed incredible speed as a rookie. P3 is the maximum we could have done and a good way to finish the season.

“Macau is probably one of the highlights of the season. This year was special. The level was outstanding – the best GT3 drivers on the planet.”

The race saw impressive performances from Daniel Serra of Harmony Racing Ferrari and Daniel Juncadella of Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing, who displayed commendable skill and determination.

In a testament to the unpredictable and challenging nature of motorsport, the race witnessed a collision involving Porsche drivers Earl Bamber and Kévin Estre, reshaping the race's outcome for several competitors.

As the FIA GT World Cup curtain falls on this season, the drivers and teams look forward to future challenges, carrying with them the memories and lessons from a race that was as much about mental tenacity as it was about speed and skill​.

Results

The top ten race classification for the 2023 FIA GT World Cup is as follows:

1. Raffaele Marciello (CHE) - Mercedes-AMG Team Landgraf, Mercedes-AMG GT3
2. Edoardo Mortara (CHE) - Audi Sport Asia Team Absolute, Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo 2
3. Augusto Farfus (BRA) - ROWE RACING, BMW M4 GT3
4. Daniel Gardano Serra (BRA) - Harmony Racing, Ferrari 296 GT3
5. Daniel Juncadella Pérez-Sala (ESP) - Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing, Mercedes-AMG GT3
6. Laurens Vanthoor (BEL) - TORO Racing, Porsche 911 GT3R (992)
7. Christopher Haase (DEU) - Audi Sport Asia Team Absolute, Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo 2
8. Alessio Picariello (BEL) - Luanzhou International Circuit, Porsche 911 GT3R (992)
9. Earl Bamber (NZL) - D2 Racing Team, Porsche 911 GT3R (992)
10. YE Hongli (CHN) - R&B Racing, Porsche 911 GT3R (992)

Full Race Classification is available here.