Antonio Felix da Costa wins Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix

Antonio Felix da Costa wins the 2016 Formula Macau Grand Prix. For Portuguese DTM star and Formula E driver this was a successful return to his F3 roots and the second victory at the famous Macau Guia Circuit.

After winning the Qualification Race, Felix da Costa started the main race from pole position in the #29 Carlin’s Dallara-Volkswagen. He lost a lead in the opening lap, after Callum Ilott (Van Amersfoort Racing) made the best start and Sergio Sette Camara (Carlin) took the lead with a late braking at dangerous Lisboa bend. Ilott ruined his god start with poor performance after that, so he dropped to fifth, behind Kenta Yamashita (ThreeBond with T-Sport) and Felix Rosenqvist (Theodore).

Antonio Felix da Costa wins 2016 Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix

Carlin’s teammates Antonio Felix da Costa and Sergio Sette Camara

Camara was in the lead ahead of Felix da Costa when the Safety car was deployed on Lap 5, after Nikita Mazepin crashed at Faraway Hill. At the restart on Lap 7, Felix da Costa used a slipstream to pass Carlin team-mate Sette Camara before Lisboa. The safety car was out again four laps later when Nick Cassidy went off at Faraway. At the restart, Felix da Costa defended his lead and remained in front until the Lap 15, repeating his 2012 triumph. Last year’s winner Felix Rosenqvist stole the second place from Camara on the penultimate lap.

The Japanese F3 champion Kenta Yamashita finished fourth, ahead of Callum Ilott. From 10th on the grid, Jake Hughes progressed to sixth at the end, ahead of George Russell. One more DTM star and 2011 Macau GP winner Dani Juncadella finished 8th. Pedro Piquet and Alexander Sims completed the Top 10.