SJM Theodore PREMA Racing will take off from the front row of the 72nd Macau Grand Prix Qualification Race tomorrow at the Guia Circuit. Freddie Slater performed brilliantly in Day 2 of qualifying, in a session that proved extremely challenging. Overnight rain meant that the track was not particularly quicker than on Thursday, and contacts with the wall led to multiple stoppages. That had an effect on how the results unfolded.
While Freddie Slater saw several of his quick flying laps impacted by slower cars in front and red flags, the British racer was still able to finish second in the Qualifying 2 session and second in the combined standings. He will begin his chase for victory from the front row, hopeful to make strong gains right from the start of Saturday’s 10-lap shootout.
The pace was quick across the board for SJM Theodore PREMA Racing, and Rashid Al Dhaheri and Charles Leong laid down competitive early marks. Unfortunately, both drivers were prevented from exploiting their full potential. Both the Emirati and the Macanese were hampered by traffic, while the latter also suffered from contact with the barriers.
The team will be back to battle for the first victory on offer, the one of the Qualifying Race, which will decide the grid for Sunday's FIA FR World Cup.
Freddie Slater, driver car #11
“P2 is definitely not bad, but the pole was definitely there; it was just unfortunate that I found slower cars in the last sector for the last two or three laps. That's how Macau goes at the end of the day. Even if you are fast on track, you have to rely on people not making mistakes, and that happened in Q2.”
Rashid Al Dhaheri, driver car #12
"Overall, it was a decent day. Free practice 2 was tricky, but I think we were able to bounce back. Unfortunately, we were a bit compromised in qualifying by some slower cars, but the pace showed to be quite good, and I think we have good potential, and we should be able to make some steps forward for tomorrow."
Charles Leong, driver car #31
"I felt a bit better than yesterday in the car, and I kept building my confidence. With the first set of tyres, I think that the grip was the best, but then I had some contact. I felt I lost grip in the rear, and the balance was a bit weird. Overall, I feel we didn't maximize the potential. Let's see what happens tomorrow."