Engel Tops Free Practice 1 in Macau

Inaugural FIA GT World Cup winner Maro Engel was quickest in Free Practice 1 in Macau, setting the pace on his final lap of the 30-minute session.

Engel laid down a 2:18.948 in his Mercedes-AMG Team GruppeM Racing AMG GT3 as the checkered flag fell to claim fastest time from teammate Raffaele Marciello, with Mercedes sweeping the top three positions.

Edoardo Mortara, arguably the most successful Macau competitor in the field with two F3 and three GT victories, rounded out the top-three with a 2:19.105 lap in his Mercedes AMG Team Driving Academy AMG GT3.

It was Mortaro’s first time in a Mercedes in Macau.

Two-time Formula 3 winner Felix Rosenqvist, who has swapped to the GT category for the first time, was sensational with fourth fastest in the only Ferrari in the field with a 2:19.249 lap, for Scuderia Corsa.

Macau debutante Robin Frinjs (Audi Sport Team WRT Audi R8 LMS) was equally sensational claiming fifth fastest in his first ever sighting of the tough, narrow 6.12 km track.

Seven manufacturers are contesting the FIA GT World Cup.

Augusto Farfus was the fastest BMW M6 GT3 in eighth, in the special Schnitzer-entered BMW Art Car.

Darryl O’Young, meanwhile, claimed honors for Porsche in 10th position from Craft Bamboo team mate, defending FIA GT World Cup champion Laurens Vanthoor, 12th.

Mirko Bortolotti (FF Racing Team by ACM) was 13th fastest for Lamborghini and Renger Van der Zande was 19th on debut in the Honda NSX GT3.

Free Practice 2 is set for Friday at 11 a.m. local time, followed by qualifying in the afternoon.