Last pole for Marciello with Mercedes

FIAGT

Nov 17

Raffaele Marciello, who will drive his last race as Mercedes factory driver (for BMW LMDh programme in 2024), did clinch pole during qualifying session of the FIA GT World Cup on the streets of Macau.

4 previous winners tops qualifying session

Raffaele Marciello (2019 winner), Eduardo Mortara (2017 winner), Maro Engel (2015 winner) and Laurens Vanhtoor (2016 winner) will be on two first row of qualifying race tomorrow.

📷 Courtesy of Macau Grand Prix Committee. Raffaele Marciello with Mercedes-AMG GT3 #48

After setting the fastest lap during free practice 1 in 2:16.150, Raffaele Marciello with Mercedes-AMG GT3 #48 did set a new lap record and fastest time of qualifying session in 2:14.542, more than a second underneath his own lap record, set in qualifying for the GT World Cup in 2019.

📷 Courtesy of Macau Grand Prix Committee. Edoardo Mortara with #40 Team Absolute Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo 2.

Edoardo Mortara with #40 Team Absolute Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo 2 was the first driver to clear the 2:15 barrier, setting a lap of 2:14.758 which was 0.216 seconds off Marciello’s Benchmark.

📷 Courtesy of Macau Grand Prix Committee. Maro Engel with Craft-Bamboo Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 #77.

A second Mercedes-AMG will start from second row (P3) thanks to Maro Engel driving his Craft-Bamboo Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 #77. Engel is the third and last driver setting a best lap also under the 2:15 barrier, in 2:14.903.

📷 Courtesy of Macau Grand Prix Committee. Laurens Vanthoor with #99 TORO Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R(992).

Laurens Vanthoor will also start from second row (in P4). He was the fastest of the seven Porsche 911 GT3 Rs with #99 TORO Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R(992).

📷 Courtesy of Macau Grand Prix Committee. Sheldon van der Linde with #32 Team WRT BMW M4 GT3

Sheldon van der Linde with #32 Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 round the top 5, ahead of Dani Juncadella (#91 Mercedes-AMG GT3), Daniel Serra (#51 Ferrari 296 GT3) and Augusto Farfus (#11 Rowe Racing BMW M4 GT3).

Results of Qualifying

FIA GT World Cup 2023 races schedule

18.11.2023:
07:05 - 08:05 CET - Qualifying race (12 laps)

19.11.2023:
05:05 - 06:15 CET - Main race (16 laps)

You can follow the action of the FIA GT World Cup live on the official FIA YouTube channel from qualifying on Friday. Motorsport TV will also broadcast the entire race weekend. The broadcast starts on Thursday and includes the complete track programme of the Macau GP!