#77 Mercedes-AMG GT3 supported by Tsingtao
Edoardo Mortara | Started P6, Did Not Finish
Edoardo Mortara had work to do starting from 6th on the grid, and immediately got his elbows out on the run to turn 1. Determined, Mortara held his position around the outside of turn 1, and at the fast Mandarin bend, managed to hold his position whilst avoiding a crashed car in front. The Macau expert found himself in 4th position, and set his sights on the top 3 cars ahead. Before Mortara could attack for the podium positions, a safety car was called due to a crashed car.
After the restart, Mortara continued his pursuit, but on lap 4, was hit hard from the rear at the hard braking zone at turn 3, and crashed into the wall. He was unable to continue due to the damage and retired after a great start to the race.
#88 Mercedes-AMG GT3 supported by Evisu
Alessio Picariello | Started P13, Finished P12
After a qualifying session which saw Macau debutant Alessio Picariello going faster with every lap, the young Belgian started the Qualification Race from P13. However, before the race started, Picariello had an issue but eventually got the car going and had to start the race from the pit-lane.
He kept his nose clean on the opening lap whilst others tangled up ahead, and moved up several positions. However, a safety car period soon followed due to a crash up ahead. When the race restarted, Picariello set his sights on gaining ground, but another safety car soon followed as the sister #77 Mercedes-AMG GT3 driven by Edoardo Mortara was hit hard from behind and received heavy damage as it crashed into the turn 3 wall. After the race restarted, Picariello got his head down and pushed hard. But despite his attempts to move up the field, he was not able to find a way past on the narrow street circuit, and finished in P12.
QUOTES
Darryl O’Young | Director of Craft-Bamboo Racing
“Obviously not the type of race that we want to see; Alessio had an issue with the car on the grid and Edo had a good start and was up to 4th, a perfect position for a good race but got hit from behind a few laps later. I don’t believe in luck but this was one of those situations that is a part of the Macau Grand Prix. For tomorrow’s race, both of our cars will start near the back but we will keep fighting.”Edoardo Mortara | Driver #77 Mercedes-AMG GT3
“Starting from 6th position, I managed to get a good start and made my way up to P4 before the first safety car. But after the second restart, It is definitely disappointing to retire from the race after having a good start and gaining two positions on the opening lap. Let’s see if we are able to fix the car and if we can race tomorrow, we will start from the back. It will be challenging but I will give it my all!”Alessio Picariello | Driver #88 Mercedes-AMG GT3
“After a great qualifying session yesterday, it was a challenging day today as I was not able to find the pace to overtake the cars in front. However I managed to do a clean race, but this circuit is narrow and tough to pass so it is what it is. We will fix some issues and make a setup change, so hopefully tomorrow we can move further up the field.”
Be the first to comment