Macau Grand Prix announces circuit upgrades in preparation for FIA F3 debut

Organisers of the Suncity Group 66th Macau Grand Prix have announced a raft of upgrades to the circuit to prepare it for the debut of FIA Formula 3 later this year.

The announcement, made at a press conference on Thursday, included the news that the circuit will be homolgated as a FIA Grade II track this year.

The narrow city-circuit is prone to blockage and massive crashes. Most recently, German driver Sophia Flörsch made headlines for her accident, which saw her suffer a spinal fracture and injured two photographers and a marshal.

Following recommendations from the FIA, the Reservoir, Mandarin Oriental Bend, Lisboa Bend, Guia Hill areas, and ‘R’ bend will all be upgraded with additional impact protection foam and new safety crash barriers.

The buffer zone at Lisboa Bend will be increased, and electronic flags will be introduced across the circuit.

The FIA F3 will contest the Macau Grand Prix over 14-17 November as the “Formula 3 World Cup”, a non-championship round.