After two years away, the WTCC is set to return to the Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. Macau’s eagerly anticipated return to the FIA World Touring Car Championship later this season will run in a new format for this year.
The legendary street track, a WTCC mainstay from 2005-2014, will host the penultimate event of the wide-open world championship from 16-19 November. But in a change to the usual routine, the two races will take place on different days with the Opening Race scheduled for Saturday 18 November followed by the Main Race for Sunday 19 November.
The timetable adjustment will result in a more advantageous international broadcast slot for the Opening Race. Meanwhile, the FIA Formula 3 World Cup and FIA GT World Cup, will benefit from extensive coverage on the Eurosport platforms.
“We expect Macau to be a season highlight for the WTCC. I’m grateful to the Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee for accommodating our request to run our Opening Race on Saturday afternoon,” explained François Ribeiro, head of Eurosport Events, the WTCC promoter. “This will drive a larger international audience in Asia, Europe and the Middle East across which the WTCC benefits from consistent live TV coverage. Macau may well be a decisive for both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ championships. Every point will count, and we all know how demanding the Macau track is for teams and drivers.”
Macau’s Circuito da Guia blends twisty turns and narrow blasts with long, wide-open straights and sweeping corners, plus gradient changes, to create one of the most challenging circuits.
Previously forming the closing event of the WTCC season, Macau will now host the penultimate weekend of the campaign. Former world champion Rob Huff holds the record of event wins with eight Macau WTCC triumphs to his name.
