FIA FR World Cup racers powered up to win 73rd Macau Grand Prix
Record eight manufacturers in contention for FIA GT World Cup glory
New multi-team format to spice up the FIA F4 World Cup action
Sixty-eight drivers from 34 nations across the globe will chase success during the 73rd Macau Grand Prix week through their participation in the FIA World Cups for Formula Regional, GT and Formula 4 cars.
A street racing festival like no other, the Macau Grand Prix, which takes place from 19-22 November, is the ultimate season showdown as drivers from around the world assemble to test their skills on the most demanding of race tracks, the formidable and legendary 6.120-kilometre Guia Circuit.
Highlighting the ongoing emergence of motor sport in the Asia-Pacific region, the Macau Grand Prix also shines a spotlight on young driver development, serving as a highly established proving ground for future stars to showcase their ability.
Indeed, of the 22 drivers who took part in First Practice for the Formula 1 São Paulo Grand Prix on 6 November, 15 had taken on the challenge of the Guia Circuit earlier in their careers with six racing on the streets of Macao within the last three years.
Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard are among the former Macau Grand Prix winners, while Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, George Russell and Max Verstappen are just some of the motor sport’s leading names with previous Macau Grand Prix experience.
It’s not just the Pirelli-supplied FIA World Cups that will take centre stage during Macau Grand Prix week. The eighth and final round of the 2026 Kumho FIA TCR World Tour will also provide non-stop action with both the Drivers’ and Teams’ titles up for grabs.
The Macau Grand Prix, which was first held in 1954, is organised by FIA Member Club the Automobile General Association Macao-China in conjunction with the Macau Grand Prix Organising Committee and the FIA.
What’s new?
Counting for the 73rd Macau Grand Prix, the third edition of the FIA FR World Cup is the first to feature the Gen2 Formula Regional car. Developed by renowned chassis constructor Tatuus in close partnership with the FIA, the car follows the aerodynamic philosophy deployed in Formula 1 to encourage closer racing, while representing another step in terms of performance and safety. It also features the Race Mode push to pass system, the result of extensive research and development managed by the FIA.
The ninth running of the FIA GT World Cup includes the new Silver Cup, which has been introduced in response to the growing strength and visibility of Silver-rated competitors in GT racing with a prize fund of USD 22,000 on offer.
Following the highly successful inaugural FIA F4 World Cup in 2025, the event returns to the Macau Grand Prix timetable with a multi-team entry format and more entries after the grid size was increased from 20 to 24 cars.
Who’s in to win?
FIA FR World Cup: Thirteen two-car squads have been selected for the 2026 FIA FR World Cup: Pinnacle Motorsport, last year’s winning entrant, the 10 teams that contested the inaugural FIA Formula Regional European Championship (FIA FREC) in 2026, plus TOM’S Racing, the winning team from the 2025 Formula Regional Japanese Championship. One further outfit representing the historic legacy and international heritage of motor sport in Macao – SJM Theodore Racing – has also been chosen.
FIA GT World Cup: The FIA GT World Cup will once again bring together some of the world's leading GT racing talent, with an 18-car field featuring a record eight GT3 manufacturers, international star drivers, proven winners and emerging prospects. Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania and South America are all represented on the entry list with the returning Aston Martin joining Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche to bid for glory.
FIA F4 World Cup: The next generation of motor sport talent will line up for the second FIA F4 World Cup with several national champions and title contenders competing. Twelve teams representing 10 countries each running two Pirelli-equipped Tatuus F4-T421 were selected to contest one of the most important junior single-seater events on the international calendar. These international-level teams have recruited drivers, that in total, fly 21 national flags and represent Formula 4 Championships Certified by FIA from around the world.
Watch the action live
All FIA World Cup qualifying sessions and races will be streamed live on the FIA’s YouTube channel. Coverage will include driver interviews, podium ceremonies and more.
Five Macau must-sees
1. Four to the fore: The top four in the final FIA Formula Regional European Championship – Emanuele Olivieri, Sebastian Wheldon, Kean Nakamura-Berta and Rashid Al Dhaheri – are among the star-studded FIA FR World Cup entry.
2. Superpole returns: Superpole is back following its hugely successful debut as part of the FIA GT World Cup in 2025. The fastest 10 drivers from Q1 will go out on track individually and get two qualifying laps, with each competitor permitted to use a new set of tyres from official supplier Pirelli.
3. Race Mode is go: All FIA FR World Cup drivers will have access to the Race Mode push to pass system, which allows drivers to trigger full engine performance for a period of time when activated by a button pressed from inside the cockpit. The amount of time depends on how many times the button is pressed but each driver has a total of 100 seconds available per race. Race Mode was introduced ahead of the 2026 FIA Formula Regional European Championship following extensive research and development managed by the FIA.
4. Competition intensifies: Introduced in 2025 to give the next generation of drivers the chance to gain knowledge of the iconic yet demanding 6.120-kilometre Guia Circuit before stepping up to the FIA FR World Cup in future seasons, the FIA F4 World Cup gets a new multi-team format, which is set to intensify the on-track competition.
5. Eight is great: As the GT3 platform celebrates its 20th anniversary, a record eight manufacturers assemble for FIA GT World Cup. The returning Aston Martin is joined by Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche.
They said what?
FIA World Cup drivers look ahead to Macau Grand Prix week:
Kean Nakamura-Berta (FIA FR World Cup): “It’s going to be a very exciting race weekend with all the big names from F3 and FREC, a lot of strong drivers and the competition will be tough. That will just make a good result even sweeter and winning would be massive for my CV. Also, I love the track. The hill section and how the track is made, it’s such a special circuit. A lot of drivers will say it’s their favourite track and to win around one of your favourite circuits is always special, it’s just a cool place. To be honest I’ve been dreaming about winning it for a while so it would be nice if it came true. But it’s also a week when everything needs to line up nicely.”
Maro Engel (FIA GT World Cup): “I’m really looking forward to returning to this fantastic event in Macau after a year away. I’ve enjoyed some great successes there in the past together with Mercedes-AMG Motorsport. The circuit demands everything from you as a driver and you have to be incredibly precise – that’s the kind of challenge I love, because it’s a place where you can really make the difference as a driver. As always, qualifying will be hugely important for a successful weekend: everyone gives it everything and pushes to the absolute limit, because your starting position is crucial in Macau. At the same time, you always need a little bit of luck on your side. There’s still some time to go, but I’m already looking forward to the unique atmosphere and the fantastic support from the fans.”
Luka Sammalisto (FIA F4 World Cup): “Macau is completely new to me, and I’m looking forward to discovering the circuit and taking on the challenge. Macau is a legendary street circuit and a unique challenge. It is an opportunity to test myself against some of the best young drivers in the world. My aim is to adapt quickly to the circuit, build confidence session by session and fight for the best possible result.”
Pirelli to equip FIA World Cup contenders
Pirelli continues as the exclusive tyre supplier to the FIA FR World Cup, FIA GT World Cup and FIA F4 World Cup. FIA FR World Cup competitors will count on the P Zero DMC tyre for dry weather and the Cinturato WSC in case it rains. FIA F4 World Cup will have the P Zero DMA tyre at their disposal for dry conditions and the Cinturato WSA for wet-weather use. For the FIA GT World Cup Pirelli will provide the P Zero DHG for dry conditions and the Cinturato WHB in case of wet weather.
Advantage Azcona in tightly-poised Kumho FIA TCR World Tour season showdown
Mikel Azcona will start the eighth and final stop of the 2026 Kumho FIA TCR World Tour 33 points in front of his BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse team-mate Norbert Michelisz and 39 points ahead of Santiago Urrutia from Geely Cyan Racing, which heads the Teams’ standings by 48 points. A maximum of 75 points can be won in the Drivers’ title chase.
KEY TIMINGS
Thursday 19 November
09:25-10:05: FIA FR World Cup Free Practice 1
10:20-11:00: FIA F4 World Cup Free Practice 1
11:15-11:45: Kumho FIA TCR World Tour Free Practice 1
12:15-12:45: FIA GT World Cup Free Practice 1
14:30-15:00: Kumho FIA TCR World Tour Free Practice 2
15:15-15:45: FIA GT World Cup Free Practice 2
16:00-16:40: FIA FR World Cup Qualifying 1
Friday 20 November
09:25-10:05: FIA F4 World Cup Free Practice 2
10:25-11:05: FIA FR World Cup Free Practice 2
12:20-12:50: Kumho FIA TCR World Tour Qualifying 1
13:05-13:20: Kumho FIA TCR World Tour Qualifying 2
13:40-14:20: FIA F4 World Cup Qualifying
14:40-15:20: FIA FR World Cup Qualifying 2
15:50-16:20: FIA GT World Cup Qualifying Q1
16:40-17:05: FIA GT World Cup Qualifying Q2 (Superpole)
Saturday 21 November
11:40-12:45: FIA F4 World Cup Qualification Race (8 laps)
13:20-14:00: Kumho FIA TCR World Tour Race 1 (10 laps)
14:35-15:40: FIA GT World Cup Qualification Race (12 laps)
16:15-17:20: FIA FR World Cup Qualification Race (10 laps)
Sunday 22 November
09:15-10:20: FIA F4 World Cup Main Race (10 laps)
11:00-11:40: Kumho FIA TCR World Tour Race 2 (10 laps)
12:35-13:50: FIA GT World Cup Main Race (16 laps)
15:30-16:35: FIA FR World Cup Race (15 laps)
All timings are local and subject to change
RECENT WINNERS
Macau Grand Prix
2025: Théophile Naël (FRA) FIA FR World Cup
2024: Ugo Ugochukwu (USA) FIA FR World Cup
2023: Luke Browning (GBR) FIA F3 World Cup
2022: Wing Chung Chang (MAC) Chinese Formula 4*
2021: Hon Chio Leong (MAC) Chinese Formula 4*
2020: Hon Chio Leong (MAC) Chinese Formula 4*
2019: Richard Verschoor (NLD) FIA F3 World Cup
2018: Dan Ticktum (GBR) FIA F3 World Cup
2017: Dan Ticktum (GBR) FIA F3 World Cup
2016: António Félix da Costa (POR) FIA F3 World Cup
*Event not run as an FIA World Cup due to COVID-19 restrictions
FIA GT World Cup
2025: Antonio Fuoco (ITA) Ferrari 296 GT3
2024: Maro Engel (GER) Mercedes-AMG
2023: Raffaele Marciello (SUI) Mercedes-AMG
2019: Raffaele Marciello (SUI) Mercedes-AMG
2018: Augusto Farfus (BRA) BMW
2017: Edoardo Mortara (SUI) Mercedes-Benz
2016: Laurens Vanthor (BEL) Audi
2015: Maro Engel (GER) Mercedes-Benz
FIA F4 World Cup
2025: Jules Roussel (FRA)
