Macau. Augusto Farfus (BRA) has added another podium finish to
his impressive record at the Macau (CHN) street race. Driving the
#11 BMW M4 GT3 for ROWE Racing, Farfus finished third in Sunday’s
main race. Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) gave a strong performance in
the #32 BMW M4 GT3 of the BMW M Team WRT during his debut in Macau
but was unlucky in the main race with a tyre failure that cost him a
shot at the podium. In the qualification race on Saturday, he
finished in fifth place, just behind Farfus
.
Farfus, who won in Macau in 2018 driving the BMW M6 GT3 and had
previously won twice in the FIA WTCC, showed great fighting spirit
throughout the weekend. Starting the qualification race in eighth
position, he improved his standing with strong overtaking manoeuvres
on the extremely narrow city circuit to finish fourth. He lost that
advantageous position in a tough duel right at the start of the main
race. However, he once again worked his way forward and, due to
problems faced by two drivers ahead of him, he was able to celebrate a
third-place finish on the podium.
One of the drivers ahead of him was van der Linde, who was on course
for the podium but suffered a tyre failure on the rear left, which set
him back significantly. Nevertheless, he demonstrated his great
potential with a fifth place in qualifying and in the qualification
race, and he quickly got to grips with the new and highly demanding
track. For the BMW M4 GT3, it was also the first appearance in Macau,
which it completed successfully with a podium finish.
Reactions after the FIA GT World Cup:
Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “We can be
satisfied with the podium at the Macau premiere of the BMW M4 GT3. The
field at the FIA GT World Cup was extremely strong, and Augusto
Farfus, with all his experience, managed to secure third place against
the top-notch competition. Congratulations to him and the ROWE Racing
team. It’s very unfortunate about Sheldon van der Linde’s tyre damage.
He gave a great performance in his debut that would have deserved a
podium finish. Sadly, it was a tyre failure while in third place that
cost him. Nonetheless, he can be proud of his performance. The BMW M4
GT3 has once again proved that it is competitive for top placements on
tracks worldwide. Many thanks to the drivers, teams, and staff at BMW
M Motorsport. We will return and hopefully fight for the victory.”
Augusto Farfus (#11 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing, Qualification
Race: 4th place, Main Race: 3rd place): “This is a
fantastic way to end the season. I can return from Macau, this very
special and always emotional place for me, with a smile. I put myself
in position on Saturday with fourth place to be able to fight for the
podium in the main race on Sunday. Unfortunately, I didn’t have much
space on the outside at the start and nearly had an accident. After
that, I took a calmer approach and hoped for a restart after a yellow
period. That came, and I was able to use it to gain a position.
Unfortunately, Sheldon and Maro Engel had problems in front of me,
which of course was good for me and brought me to third place.”
Sheldon van der Linde (#32 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Team WRT,
Qualification Race: 5th place, Main Race: 16th place):
“This is a bittersweet end. I was on course to reach the
podium right at my debut in Macau, but unfortunately, it was not meant
to be. When I got the tyre pressure warning, I first hoped I could
maybe make it to the finish, but I had no chance. At the moment, my
disappointment is great, but hopefully, that will change tomorrow.
Because overall, it was a fantastic experience. The track here in
Macau is immediately one of my absolute favorites, and I hope to come
back and then make it to the podium. Congratulations to Augusto and
ROWE Racing for third place!“
