Woking squad bring familiar faces to Chinese epic

Top Formula 3 team Double R Racing will field an exciting four-car entry in the 60th Macau Grand Prix this coming weekend, 16th/17th November, with Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series Vice-Champion Antonio Giovinazzi and fellow category podium finisher Sean Gelael joining rapid Estonian Kevin Korjus and Chinese youngster Sun Zheng representing the ‘Galaxy Double R Racing’ branded half of the squad.

Giovinazzi and Gelael will make their respective debuts in the blue riband Macau Grand Prix this weekend, 16th/17th November, with former GP winning squad Double R Racing.

Italian rookie Giovinazzi, who put together a fantastic first season in Formula 3 with Double R during his dovetailed programme in the British series and the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, could well be one of the surprise packages in the 60th staging of the Macau Grand Prix.

As well as becoming Vice-Champion in British F3 in his maiden campaign, with two winsand a total of seven podiums, Giovinazzi also developed into a consistent front-runner in the European series with a season-best top six finish coming during the final weekend at Hockenheim last month.

While Giovinazzi has never experienced the challenging and unforgiving Circuito da Guia track before, team boss Anthony ‘Boyo’ Hieatt is confident the 19-year-old has what it takes to be one of the fastest rookies.

“We’re cautiously optimistic for Antonio’s chances in Macau”, said Hieatt, “He’s done a fantastic job this season, has delivered some tremendous performances, and we’re confident he can aim to be one of the quickest rookies out there at the weekend. He’s done excellent work on the simulator, he’s prepared very strongly, so we’re looking forward to seeing what he can achieve.”

Team-mate Gelael, who will be the youngest competitor on the Macau grid having just celebrated his 17th birthday at the beginning of the month, has been on a very steep learning curve this year with Double R but has shone on several occasions – not least in British F3 where he took three podiums.

As the least experienced driver on the entry list for this year’s Star River Windsor Arch Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix, in terms of total car racing mileage, the Indonesian youngster will be embarking on his greatest challenge to date. Even so, Double R team principal Hieatt is confident of a strong showing from Gelael having seen, first hand, his skills develop throughout 2013.

“This year is all about learning for Sean”, he commented, “He’s done a great job in his first season up against some incredibly tough competition, especially in Europe. We’ll be interested to see how he gets on during his first visit to Macau, he just needs to get as much experience as he can and learn as much as possible for next year.” Continuing its long-standing association with Galaxy Macau, the only truly authentic Asian five-star resort destination in the former Portuguese enclave, the Woking-based team is eyeing a successful return to the world-famous Circuito da Guia street circuit.

Korjus, who has this year been competing in the FIA Formula One World Championship-supporting GP3 Series where he ended the season in seventh place overall, makes a welcome return to the Galaxy Double R fold having made his Macau debut with the squad last November.

The 20-year-old, who won the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 title in 2010 before becoming a race winner in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, was held back in Macau last year – only his second ever race meeting in an F3 car – after a troublesome qualifying session. His race pace was impressive, though, and team principal Anthony ‘Boyo’ Hieatt is confident Korjus can be a strong contender.

“We all know what a quick driver Kevin is and we’re delighted he’s back with Galaxy Double R Racing for another crack at the Macau Grand Prix”, said Hieatt, “He knows the circuit from last year, where he had an unlucky weekend, and we’re sure he’ll be a front-runner. We’re confident Kevin can fight for a good result, he’s a top quality driver.”

Chinese racer Zheng, who won the Cooper Tires British Formula 3 National Class title this year, makes his first appearance at Macau with Galaxy Double R and will attract a lot of attention as the sole Chinese contender currently scheduled to take part.

With a mixture of motorsport experience, from touring cars and rallying as well as single-seaters, Zheng will face by far the toughest challenge of his career on the streets of Macau. As well as his National Class success in British F3 this year, he won the China Formula Grand Prix series in 2012.

“It’s great to have a local driver in the team for Macau, it’s important for the event to attract talent from the region – we’re looking forward to working with Sun Zheng”, added Hieatt, “It’s important for his career to try and showcase his skills to the local community, it’ll be a major challenge for him but fantastic experience at the same time.”

Running in the team’s other pair of Dallara-Mercedes cars will be Italy’s Antonio Giovinazzi and Indonesian racer Sean Gelael, both drivers remaining with Double R Racing for their respective Macau debuts after dovetailed seasons in British F3 and the FIA Formula 3 European Championship.

Double R Racing, of course, is one of the few British entries to have ever conquered the Macau street circuit, winning the Grand Prix in 2006 with Mike Conway off the back of claiming that year’s British Formula 3 title.

Following the initial practice sessions at Circuito da Guia on Thursday, 14th November, additional practice running and qualifying will take place on Friday, 15th November. The 10 lap qualification race will begin at 14.00 (local time) on Saturday, 16th November, with the Star River Windsor Arch Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix itself scheduled for Sunday, 17th November, at 15.30 (local time). (British F3.com/arl)