The iconic Macau Grand Prix returned for its 71st edition, this time featuring Formula Regional machinery navigating the challenging streets of the Guia Circuit. MP Motorsport lined up with a varied and talented trio of drivers: Oliver Goethe, Valerio Rinicella, and Mattia Colnaghi, ready to take on one of the most demanding tracks in the world.
Free Practice 1
Weather played a crucial role throughout the weekend, starting with a heavy rain session in Free Practice 1. The wet conditions didn’t deter our drivers, especially Ollie, who topped the session by over two seconds, setting an impressive pace. Valerio, familiar with the car from his season in FRECA, placed P14. Mattia, fresh from winning the Spanish F4 championship just days before and making his debut in the Formula Regional car, secured P15.
Qualifying 1
The rain continued into Qualifying 1, challenging drivers to find grip on the wet streets of Macau. Despite the tough conditions, Ollie and Valerio managed to secure fast laps before the rain intensified thanks to the timing of the team, placing them in P1 and P3, respectively. Mattia faced an electronic issue with his car, limiting him to a lap under heavier rain. Despite this, he finished P20 and was the fastest among the drivers who qualified in the wet conditions. With two drivers in the top three, we knew the following day’s dry qualifying session would be pivotal.
Free Practice 2
Free Practice 2 didn’t see any weather improvements, as we completed the session on a wet track. This was the last chance for drivers to fine-tune setups and strategies. The team focused on securing optimal positions for the race. Ollie placed P15, Valerio P17, and Mattia was not able to set a significant lap, placing him in P27. We remained confident heading into the crucial Qualifying 2.
Qualifying 2
The first dry session of the weekend arrived with Qualifying 2, providing an opportunity to push the limits of the track. Ollie quickly climbed to P1, holding the position until a late challenge placed him in P2. This strong result set us up for a podium position in the legendary Macau race. Mattia improved significantly, achieving P14, while Valerio secured P16. The session concluded with a red flag, ending any further attempts to improve positions with three minutes to go.
Qualifying Race
Saturday brought dry conditions, but dark clouds loomed as we headed to the grid. Ollie had a close start from P2, challenging for the lead into Turn 1 but ultimately settling into his position. Valerio maintained his starting spot, while Mattia lost two positions at the start. An early safety car bunched up the field, and as racing resumed, Ollie stayed within a second of the leader, showcasing his pace.
On lap 5, an incident occurred when a driver rejoined the track unsafely, causing a collision that unfortunately took Mattia out of the race. The safety car was deployed, and worsening weather led to a red flag. After a brief pause and switch to wet tires, the race concluded under safety car conditions. Ollie finished strong in P2, and Valerio came in at P15.
Main Race
Race day arrived with dry but cloudy skies. Starting from P2, Ollie was poised for a strong finish, with Valerio in P14 and Mattia from P24. After a safety car start, the race faced early incidents, but our drivers navigated through the chaos. Ollie maintained his position, consistently challenging for the lead. Valerio advanced to P12, while Mattia climbed to P15.
Multiple safety car periods punctuated the race due to incidents on the tight street circuit. Despite limited racing laps, Ollie kept pressure on the leader, narrowly missing opportunities to overtake. Valerio faced challenges after slight contact with the wall but continued to push. Unfortunately, Mattia’s race ended after contact with the wall in the final lap. After post-race penalties for other drivers, Valerio was promoted to P11.
Final Results:
P2 Oliver Goethe
P11 Valerio Rinicella
DNF Mattia Colnaghi
Ollie secured a well-deserved P2 finish for MP Motorsport at the prestigious Macau Grand Prix. This marks the second consecutive year we’ve placed second in this renowned event, highlighting the skill and talent within our team and drivers.
We’re proud of the performances by Ollie, Valerio, and Mattia, each showcasing skill and teamwork on one of the world’s most challenging circuits. With drivers from our F2, FRECA, and Spanish F4 programs, this event underscored MP Motorsport’s commitment to developing talent across all levels.
Our mission to accelerate talent continues as we look forward to the 2025 season. Thank you to our drivers, team members, and fans.
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