Although the day in Macau started off sunny, the skies visibly turned darker by the FIA FR World Cup Qualifying Race, took place. The 10-lap race will set the grid for tomorrow’s Grand Prix and also give the drivers a dress rehearsal for what could be expected.
There was an early setback for Mari Boya, who stalled during the formation lap. Instead of a third row start, he had to start from the back. He was helped by marshals to get going after everyone passed, however he ultimately broke the rules by overtaking, earning himself a black flag.
The lights went green and pole setter Ugo Ugochukwu was able to smoothly take the leas, followed by Oliver Goethe and Noel León. Just as the cars were driving through the first sector, Sota Ogawa crashed into the barriers, taking Tuukka Taponen, who was following the pace of Sato in front, with him. The race was not stopped, but the yellow flag was raised, and the drivers were told to keep in the middle of the track at Turn 2.
Mandarin corner… 💀
— FIA (@fia) November 16, 2024
Taponen out. Ogawa out.
Qualifying is on in Macau and the FIA Safety Car is on track. Watch the FIA FR World Cup live now on YouTube, 9 laps to go. #FIA #FIAFRWorldCup #MacauGP pic.twitter.com/D32U27MJ1f
The safety car was deployed as soon as the drivers reached the Melco Hairpin, which is also the slowest point of the track.
The track went green on lap three and Ugochuckwu took the restart with ease, building a gap of a second to Goethe. James Wharton was handed a 10-second stop and go penalty and had to give up 10th.
SJM Theodore PREMA Racing’s Freddie Slater, the sole survivor of yesterday’s three-driver incident, was making his rounds, notably overtaking Enzo Deligny. Oliver Goethe took the fastest lap, clocking a time of 2:21.520s.
Cooper Webster of Evans GP, brushed the rear of Theophile Nael, sending the Sainteloc Racing driver down the escape road. Nael was able to rejoin just as Alex Dunne was battling Jin Nakamura.
Racing at Melco was halted again on lap six due to an incident involving MP’s Mattia Colnaghi, who went off track. Wharton was in eighth position, having not yet served his penalty.
The weather took a turn for the worst and the rain started to pour, prompting a race suspension. There was a 14-minute stoppage and the cars were fitted with the wet tyres, as the rain was pouring down the Lisboa Bend. Without tire warmers, the slick tires cooled down while the cars were stationary in the pit lane. Teams were soon alerted that wet tires were now mandatory.
The order at the time of the red flag was maintained for the restart, with lap seven considered completed and three laps remaining. The safety car led the drivers through all three laps, facing drenched conditions at Lisboa but a dry second half of the lap, which made it challenging to determine whether it was safe to return to racing speeds.
As a result, Ugo Ugochukwu secured the win, while Wharton’s penalty seemed to convert into a 30-second time penalty, which placed him in 23rd position, although he remained eighth in the provisional standings. Goethe came in second and León brought home third place.
