Armstrong and PREMA set to go in Macau

SJM Theodore Racing by PREMA ensured it remains in the hunt for silverware ahead of the 65th Macau Grand Prix following a solid team performance in today’s Qualifying Race, led by Mick Schumacher in sixth position.

With today’s results determining grid positions for the all-important Macau Grand Prix on Sunday, the emphasis was primarily on ensuring drivers made it to the chequered flag.

Though this was a task made trickier by various incidents occurring during the 10-lap race, not least the appearance of a dog on the track which forced a safety car period, the team’s five drivers remained focused on the task in hand.

At the chequered flag, Schumacher led SJM Theodore Racing’s efforts after capitalising on a strong start to rise from ninth to seventh on the opening lap before gaining a further spot to cross the line in sixth position. The result places him on row three for Sunday’s 65th Macau Grand Prix.

Marcus Armstrong maintained his starting position to finish eighth as the second best-placed rookie, while Ralf Aron and Robert Shwartzman impressed after recovering from difficult opening laps to overtake several cars en route to ninth and tenth respectively.

“The lights ran for a long time and the clutch overheated so I stalled,” commented Armstrong. “Luckily I pushed the button very fast and made up the positions I had lost before turn 3 so I stayed P8. Vips was coming so fast on a straight line and I could not keep him behind. Then Guanyu crashed in the last lap so we got up to P8 again. It’s not going to be easy tomorrow, but it’s not impossible.”

There was however disappointment for Guanyu Zhou after he was forced to retire on the final lap. The Chinese racer started fifth and had been running strongly in the lead pack when an error led to him touching the barrier, causing damage to his car.

All focus now turns to tomorrow’s 65th Macau Grand Prix at 15:30 (GMT +8). At a track where anything can happen it is set to be another iconic race and one not to missed. Catch it live on the Theodore Racing website.