Fuoco, Marciello Seek Macau Redemption After 2024 Clash

Ferrari’s Antonio Fuoco and BMW’s Raffaele Marciello have both set their sights on FIA GT World Cup glory this weekend on the streets of Macau, one year on from the controversial Lisboa clash that denied both the chance of victory.

The two Italian FIA World Endurance Championship stars will renew their rivalry in the famed end-of-season street event as Fuoco rejoins AF Corse to pilot the No. 50 Ferrari 296 GT3 and Marciello drives the No. 53 ROWE Racing BMW M4 GT3 EVO.

Fuoco and Marciello starred in last year’s main race, and went into the final two laps fighting over victory until Marciello ran into the back of Fuoco under braking for Lisboa, forcing both wide and allowing Maro Engel to snatch the win.

Both Fuoco and Marciello held each other responsible for the incident at the time, with the latter accusing the former of moving under braking.

Looking ahead to this year’s edition, Fuoco said he hopes for a “smoother” race after a 2024 edition that was heavily impacted by rain, as he targets what would be a first FIA GT World Cup for Ferrari and himself at his second attempt.

“Macau is special, so things can change from one year to the other, so you never know what to expect,” said Fuoco last weekend in Bahrain.

“Last year I enjoyed it a lot, also because throughout the weekend the conditions were changing quite a lot between wet and dry. It was my first time [at Macau] with the GT car and I enjoyed it a lot, so I can’t wait to be back.

“I hope we can have a smoother weekend from the beginning until the end of the race.

“When you have the chance at Macau you need to take it. Last year we had the chance and in the end we didn’t win because of the contact. This year, we will try to do our best, but Macau is not easy.”

One significant change for this year’s FIA GT World Cup is the introduction of torque sensors, as used in the WEC and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, in the interests of creating a fairer Balance of Performance.

Fuoco admitted there may be some short-term teething issues with the system but believes it will be beneficial to the event in the longer term.

“For sure we need to get some references, because they do the calculations and everything but someone might not be happy — it could be us, or someone other brand,” he said. “For sure they will learn and they will get better and better.

“I think it’s a good thing to have at Macau.”

Marciello is one of two BMW drivers in the field this year, along with Sheldon van der Linde, in what is a slimmed-down 16-car grid for the East Asian classic.

The Italian, a two-time winner on the streets of Macau, is also hopeful of making up for last year’s disappointment as he seeks to navigate the obstacles presented by torque sensors and this year’s new Super Pole qualifying format.

“It will be a bit different this year with the torque sensors and the new qualifying format, but I am really looking forward to it,” Marciello told Sportscar365.

“Last year I was two laps short of winning the race and this year we will try again. I think we have a good package but we’ll have to see with the new things how it will be.”

Marciello: Mercedes-AMG Absence Will Feel “Strange”

Marciello also admitted he will find it “strange” not to be racing against Mercedes-AMG, the brand with which his two Macau wins in 2019 and ’23 came.

But despite the reduction in grid numbers from last year’s bumper 23-car field, Marciello still feels the level of competition between the remaining brands will be high.

“In GT racing you always see the AMG GT3 everywhere, so for sure it will be strange not to see them on track,” he said. “But there are other strong brands.

“Ferrari and Porsche will for sure will be strong, and Lamborghini with Edo [Mortara], so there will be enough competition. With the new torque sensors we will not know who is the favorite until qualifying.

“We don’t have many cars on the grid, but the cars we have there are very strong, so I see everyone as a potential threat, let’s say. It will be tough.”