The race, which takes place on 18-19 November, fell sufferer to the COVID pandemic and worldwide journey restrictions in Macau from 2020-22, which means that 2019 winner Verschoor is successfully defending his crown as he steps again to F3.
The 22-year-old Dutchman is returning to Trident, the crew with which he was a race winner in F2 in 2022 earlier than transferring to Van Amersfoort Racing this season, throughout which he has additionally taken a victory.
“Many individuals suggested me to not do it, however I like a problem,” Verschoor instructed Autosport.
“Even earlier than I gained the race in 2019, I beloved the environment and the monitor and all the pieces about it. I stated I’d by no means get the identical expertise or feeling once more that I received in Macau wherever else.
“I do know Trident and Giacomo Ricci [team boss] very properly, and we have been all very excited to make it occur. That’s one of many causes I signed with them, as a result of they have been pushing lots.”
If he wins, Verschoor will be a part of Edoardo Mortara, Felix Rosenqvist, Antonio Felix da Costa and Dan Ticktum as fellow two-time Macau F3 GP victors.
He’s one in all 4 F2 drivers stepping again to F3 to contest the occasion: Roman Stanek joins him at Trident, whereas Zane Maloney and Isack Hadjar line up with Rodin Carlin and Hitech respectively. Of those, solely 2022 FIA F3 runner-up Maloney has taken half within the class’s current official post-season exams at Barcelona and Jerez.
Ticktum, who will race with the rebranded ERT crew in Method E subsequent season, can also be returning to the occasion to race for Rodin Carlin.
Photograph by: Motorsport Images
F3 motion at Macau
“I gained’t have the choice to do any testing, which undoubtedly doesn’t make it any simpler,” added Verschoor, “however driving a automobile in Macau feels very completely different to wherever else anyway.
“I’m not going there anticipating to win – I’m simply going to get pleasure from it and do my greatest, as a result of lots of adaptation shall be wanted.”
With Trident’s 2023 F3 champion Gabriel Bortoleto not on the entry listing, the Italian squad has accomplished its line-up with the Brazilian’s fellow McLaren F1 protege Ugo Ugochukwu, the 16-year-old American stepping up after clinching the three-round Euro 4 title for Method 4 automobiles at Barcelona final weekend.
F3 runner-up Zak O’Sullivan doesn’t presently have a spot within the entry both, though 4 of the 27 automobiles nonetheless have drivers to be nominated. O’Sullivan’s 2023 crew Prema Racing will area regulars Paul Aron, the Mercedes F1 junior who was third within the championship this season, and Ferrari Driver Academy prospect Dino Beganovic, together with Alpine-backed Gabriele Mini, who transfers from Hitech again to the crew with which he gained the 2020 Italian F4 title.
MP Motorsport, which carried Verschoor to victory in 2019, is spearheaded by Williams junior Franco Colapinto, who was fourth on this season’s F3 factors. Different F3 frontrunners from 2023 embody Campos Racing pair Pepe Marti and Oliver Goethe, Luke Browning with Hitech, and ART Grand Prix duo Christian Mansell and Gregoire Saucy.
Two sons of former Macau GP racers who went on to develop into F1 stars are entered: F3 common and Crimson Bull Junior Sebastian Montoya (son of Juan Pablo) switches to Hitech, whereas Charlie Wurz (son of Alexander) strikes as much as make his race debut in FIA F3 equipment with Jenzer Motorsport.
Jenzer additionally fields GB3 race winner and occasional F3 racer Max Esterson, whereas Euroformula Open champion Noel Leon has his first race in an FIA F3 automobile with VAR – one of many Mexican’s team-mates is Sophia Florsch, who returns to Macau for a second time since her horrific 2018 accident.
Finishing the 23 drivers presently confirmed are F3 regulars Nikola Tsolov (ART), Mari Boya (MP) and Tommy Smith (VAR), whereas Matias Zagazeta steps up from Method Regional European with Jenzer.
The remaining seats to be stuffed are at Rodin Carlin (two), MP and Hitech (one apiece).