Defending City of Dreams Macau GT Cup Champion, Edoardo Mortara has continued his top form by setting the quickest time in opening practice in Macau.
Mortara drew criticism from many competitors for his tactics through the slower sections of the Macau racetrack, the winner of last weekend’s Audi R8 LMS Cup event dropping the speed back to walking pace before charging off with clear air in front of him.
Once they were free, the Erebus duo of Maro Engel and Renger van der Zande moved into the top 10 and then after the red flag, used better track position to set their quickest times on the only flying lap they had available to them prior to the chequered flag.
The second placing by Engel brought a smile to the German’s face, returning to the famed street track after finishing ninth in the Formula 3 Grand Prix back in 2006.
“The SLS AMG GT3 is bigger, wider and longer than the opposition, but its done a brilliant job in that session and I’m feeling good,” said Engel.
“To compare first to second, Mortara has been here the last six years, he won last weekend and this is my first time back in seven years.”
Third quickest was Jorg Muller in the Z4 BMW, fourth was newly crowned Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Champion, Earl Bamber in a Porsche.
Dutchman van der Zande ended the opening session in fifth, although he had been the best of the Australian entries throughout much of the half hour session.
A third of the session was lost during a red flag for a car that stopped on circuit.
The GT Cup had just one session today before returning for a further practice tomorrow with qualifying on Saturday.
Erebus Motorsport will carry a livestream of Sunday’s one hour race on its website at www.erebusmotorsportgt.com
Schedule (all times local Macau time)
Friday
1355-1425 – Qualifying 1
Saturday
1250-1310 – Qualifying 2
Sunday
0755-0805 – Warm-Up
0920-1020 – City of Dreams Macau GT Cup – 12 Laps
