Familiar territory for relaxed Felix Rosenqvist as Macau Grand Prix champion plots title defence
Formula 3 champion has been walking the track as he tries to become first back-to-back winner since 2010
The word was that Felix Rosenqvist had taken in his stride the fanfare that greeted his victory in last year's Macau Grand Prix, and that the young Swede had reacted to capturing this year's FIA European F3 Championship in much the same manner.
Proof has been found out on the streets of the city this week - literally - as the 24-year-old has been refamiliarising himself with the Guia circuit, for the most part left alone with just his thoughts for company.
I've come here quite relaxed and I've been trying to just get used to the change in temperature and time zone
"I've been out there walking the track a few times just to catch up and refresh my mind," Rosenqvist revealed yesterday. "Other than that I've been socialising a little bit with friends. It's good to be back and I'm feeling no pressure.
READ MORE: 'Best race in the world': Macau Grand Prix champion Felix Rosenqvist can't wait to defend title
"I've come here quite relaxed and I've been trying to just get used to the change in temperature and time zone."
Most people in Macau might not have known who it was that just breezed past with his cap pulled down low, but the majority of the field for this year's 62nd edition of the Macau Grand Prix on Sunday must be sick of the sight of Rosenqvist, or at least of his tailgate.
The Swede's record this year reads 13 wins, 24 podiums, 17 pole positions, and 13 fastest laps as he raced away to his breakthrough European F3 title.
Fans in Macau had known his promise since he finished second there in 2012. Bad luck followed with a crash in 2013, but last year he somehow made it out of the mayhem that scarred the first lap and raced to victory.
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Unlike those walks this week, the Swede knows once he's out on the track, all eyes will be following him - but he feels pretty comfortable all the same as he seeks to become the first back-to-back winner since Italy's Edoardo Mortara in 2009 and 2010.
"Obviously, technically I'm the favourite, but to me I don't feel like I have so much to prove - I won here and then I won the F3 championship this year," said Rosenqvist.
"I want to be up there and it would be great to win of course but I don't feel like it's necessary."
