Italian driver Antonio Fuoco Dominates FIA GT World Cup Qualification Race in Macau, heads to Grand Prix

Italian driver Antonio Fuoco, 29, won the qualifying race for the FIA GT World Cup on Saturday in Macau, securing him pole position and setting him up as a favorite to win at the Macau Grand Prix on Sunday.

Driving for Ferrari in a Ferrari 296 GT3, Fuoco clocked in at 02:16:111 in Q1 and followed it up with a 02:15.535 in Q2 for the 12-lap event on the Guia Circuit, a narrow 1.62 km street circuit also used for the Macau Grand Prix.

“I had a strong start, and with new tires, I was able to push harder compared to the others at the beginning. Although the guys were gaining on me later, I managed to maintain a two-second gap,” Fuoco said at the press conference following the race.

The qualifying race decided the starting grid for the fifteen-lap main event The Macau Grand Prix, known for its tight corners and elevation changes, making it a demanding venue for drivers and earning it a reputation for testing talent.

“Antonio’s performance today showcases his skill and determination, securing the pole position and highlighting our team’s strength. We’re excited for the main race and ready to honor the Ferrari legacy,” said Alessandro Bianchi, pit crew of the AF Corse Ferrari team.

Despite an aggressive start, Raffaele Marciello, 30,  attempted to seize second place on the rush to Lisboa Corner but ultimately had to relinquish his advance, slipping into fourth as he maneuvered through the tight right-handed corner with the BMW M4 GT3 (Evo).

“Finishing fifth in Macau after our team's win at Nürburgring is a solid result. While we aimed higher today, it’s clear our hard work is paying off. We’ll take this momentum into the next race,” a pit crew member of ROWE Racing said.

Alessio Picariello, 32, driving the Tempo by Absolute Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), finished in third place with the Q2 result 02:16.035.

“Our qualifying performance with the M4 GT3 (Evo) didn’t meet our expectations, but it's encouraging to see that the race has become safer in recent years with fewer red flags. We‘ll keep focusing on building momentum for the main race,” a pit crew member of Team WRT said.

16 drivers will compete in the Macau Grand Prix on Sunday: three Ferraris, two BMWs, five Porsches, three Audis, two Lamborghinis, and one McLaren.