in Macau Qualifying race
Roberto Streit finished third in today’s Macau Qualification race, meaning the Räikkönen Robertson driver will start tomorrow’s 55th Macau Grand Prix from third on the grid. Streit’s positive result was not shared by team mates Atte Mustonen and Michael Ho however, as both drivers were involved in race stopping accidents.
Lining up fourth on the grid for today’s qualification race, Streit made a lightening start off the line, passing pole sitter Carlo Van Dam into the Lisboa corner and moving into third place. Behind him, Atte Mustonen was about to suffer one of Macau’s infamous first-lap accidents, with the 20 year-old Finn an innocent victim of clash between Franky Cheng and Basil Shabaan.
With a safety car deployed at the end of lap one, positions remained unchanged for the next few laps. When racing commenced on lap four, Streit help onto his third place, despite some pressure from fourth placed man Oliver Turvey. From then on 24 year-old Streit looked to be unchallenged, crossing the line after 10 laps to take the final podium position and third place on tomorrow’s grid.
Racing on his home track, Michael Ho failed to finish after an accident on lap five, and will consequently start tomorrow’s race from 21st, while Mustonen will start at the back of the grid following his first lap accident.
Third place man Streit said, “I’m really pleased with today’s result. The team have done a great job, the car felt good and I felt I was able to control my pace well. Today’s race was about making up positions if possible and keeping the car in good condition for the main race tomorrow. I’m feeling confident about tomorrow and with some luck on our side as well, we might be with chance of a great result.”
Team Principal Anthony Hieatt added, “I’m delighted with Robert, he’s done a great job so far this weekend, and he drove a very mature race today. He hasn’t put a foot wrong this weekend, and I hope that he can make the most of his good starting position tomorrow without being involved in any accidents. It’s very easy to be caught up in other people’s accidents in Macau, and that’s exactly what happened to Atte today. He’ll be starting from the back of the grid tomorrow, but I’m sure we will see some good racing from him.”
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