Max Verstappen struggles with his tyres in qualifying
Formula One-bound Dutchman is sixth fastest in the first qualifying session for the 61st edition of the race
All eyes were on Formula One-bound Max Verstappen as he made his debut at the SunCity Macau Grand Prix on Thursday, but the 17-year-old could only finish sixth in the first qualifying session of the weekend.
Verstappen, who will be racing in the big league for Toro Rosso next season after his shock signing, is the headline name at the 61st edition of the Macau Grand Prix, but he was overshadowed by rivals on the demanding Guia street circuit, clocking a best lap of two minutes 12.811 seconds.
It's not too bad, also for the team it's a new start here so all in all I think we did quite a good job
Tom Blomqvist, competing for the third time in Macau, was fastest in 2:11.922, followed by Antonio Giovinazzi (2:12.037) and best-placed debutant Nick Cassidy (2:12.546).
But no matter where Verstappen finishes in qualifying, he and Frenchman Esteban Ocon will be handed a two-place grid penalty for tomorrow's qualifying race, the final positions of which determine the grid for Sunday's showpiece event. They were penalised for passing a red light and missing a weight check in free practice.
"It's not too bad, also for the team it's a new start here so all in all I think we did quite a good job," said Verstappen, racing for Van Amersfoort. He set the early pace, but faded despite moving to new tyres midway through the session.
The Dutchman remains confident he can sign off on his career in the junior ranks with victory in F3's flagship race.
"There's still some time to find because I think we were struggling with the tyres. In the beginning of qualifying we were looking quite strong so we'll see for tomorrow."
Blomqvist, runner up in the Formula 3 European Championship this year, and Giovinazzi made it a one-two for the Jagonya Ayam with Carlin team and the Englishman aims to make up for a disappointing 2013 race.
He stalled at the start of the qualifying race last year, meaning he began the main event from the back of the grid before fighting impressively through the field to finish eighth.
"It's a good result, I got the time in quite early, the track was improving and I just tried a few things here and there. I think there's a bit more speed I can find but it's looking good so far," Blomqvist said.
Michael Rutter, an eight-time winner of the motorbike race, finished fastest qualifier in yesterday's first session in 2:27.699, ahead of Stuart Easton (2:28.000), Martin Jessopp (2:30.247) and last year's winner Ian Hutchinson (2:30.728).
