Asian Motor Sports

The 25th running of the Macau F3 Grand Prix is likely to be one of the most competitive in the event’s history, with representatives from all corners of the globe hoping to add their names to an illustrious list of winners.

Drivers from South America, Europe and Japan will all stake a strong claim to be favorite for the race but others, including the usual batch of local warriors, will be out to challenge that belief.

GP2 Series star Bruno Senna has accepted an invitation to return to Macau, having been born in the same month that his world famous uncle, Ayrton, was dominating the first of the modern Macau grands prix, Bruno will drive for Raikkonen-Robertson Racing with Galaxy, having established himself as an international star in his own right.

The Brazilian might be the biggest name in the field, but his reputation will be put to the test. F3 Euroseries leader Romain Grosjean will return for a third crack at conquering the race, but he too will face stiff competition, with season-long rivals Sebastien Buemi and Nico Hulkenberg also confirmed. Grosjean will line up in his familiar ASM Dallara, while Buemi, who has pushed him hard for the European crown, will switch to Raikkonen Robertson Racing. Both were top-five finishers in 2006 and will want to build on that experience this time around.

Hulkenberg brings a growing reputation from his first season of F3, despite having taken a little while to adjust to the technical machines after carving a reputation in A1GP. The German has been fighting for wins over the second half of the Euroseries, and has already claimed the Zandvoort Masters of F3 title. He will partner Grosjean at ASM, while the French team will field a third car for Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi.

British title winner Marko Asmer is no stranger to Macau and has something of a score to settle with the Guia street circuit. The Estonian, who will line up with British team Hitech Racing, has never translated his dominant national form into success around the demanding layout but, last year, was on the front row and looked a potential winner until his path was blocked by an accident. Capping his dominant year with the most prestigious
F3
crown of all would be the perfect end for a driver in his fourth and last season in the category.

Two other returnees will also be aiming to capitalise on their track knowledge. Dutch ace Yelmer Buurman is one of the most spectacular drivers in F3 at present and will return with Manor Motorsport, while young English driver James Jakes has been a podium contender in the Euroseries this year and looks to translate that form into Macau success.

Fellow Briton Oliver Jarvis, like Hulkenberg a race winner in A1GP, will be looking to build on a second season in F3, but will represent the Japanese series having been a frontrunner in the UK last year.

Of the rookies, regular contenders from the British series are top of the list of those likely to spring a surprise. Carlin Motorsport’s Sam Bird and Niall Breen have both won races in their first seasons in the category, while Swede Sebastian Hohenthal is another to have shown his credentials while with Fortec.

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