Felix Rosenqvist to start Macau Grand Prix qualification race from pole
Swede sees off F3 European champion Esteban Ocon and Formula One-bound Max Verstappen in final qualifying session
Felix Rosenqvist will start Saturday’s Suncity Macau Grand Prix qualification race from pole position after the Swede posted the fastest time in qualifying yesterday.
Rosenqvist, on his fifth visit to Macau and a runner-up in 2012, is desperate finally to get his hands on the trophy. He was fastest in practice on Friday before a crash then, after some hasty repairs, continued that form in the qualifying session, recording a best lap of two minutes, 11.506 seconds for the Kashbet.com by Mucke Motorsport team.
That was ahead of FIA Formula 3 Championship winner Esteban Ocon (2:11.742, SJM Theodore Racing by Prema ) and Formula One-bound teenager Max Verstappen (2:11.747, Van Amersfoort Racing), but they both receive a two-place penalty for an infraction in Thursday’s practice session, so start fourth and fifth on the grid.
Second and third place in Saturday’s race, which determines the grid positions for Sunday’s showpiece event, will be taken by Lucas Auer (2:11.838, Kfzteile 24 Mucke Motorsport) and Tom Blomqvist, who couldn’t improve on his fastest time from Thursday’s qualifying session (2:11.922, Jagonya Ayam with Carlin).
"The free practice felt quite good, but then I had a stupid spin which was completely my mistake,” said Rosenqvist, whose race last year was ended moments after the start when he was sandwiched in a pile-up.
“Yesterday I didn’t feel confident, but this morning we found a lot. I was out on my own and just tried to find a rhythm and it worked quite well."
It means definitely as much or even more than the title. It’s the best race for sure in F3 and one of the best in the world - that’s why we all come here. We all want to win, there’s so much history, all the best drivers have won it
“The lesson I’ve learned [from five visits] is that you have to be there and thereabouts in the qualifying race and last race, then what happens is luck more than anything. But you have to be there [near the front of the grid] and make the best out of what happens.
“As long as you’re quick that’s all you can do, then quite a bit of luck is needed as well.”
France’s Ocon admitted this one trophy would perhaps mean even more than his championship title: “I’m quite happy with second. Unfortunately, I got the penalty so will start second row, but it’s always good to be starting on the front rows at Macau.
“It means definitely as much or even more than the title. It’s the best race for sure in F3 and one of the best in the world - that’s why we all come here. We all want to win, there’s so much history, all the best drivers have won it.”
Verstappen, whose signing at age 16 by F1 team Toro Rosso stunned the racing world, has been getting quicker and quicker as he and his team get used to the track, perhaps an ominous sign for their rivals.
“It’s my debut, also the team here don’t have much experience, so I’m learning, the team’s learning. We’re improving all the time and I think I have to be happy with third,” he said. “It’s a cool track, I enjoy it and am happy I’m here.”