LUKAS DUNNER EXCELS AT THE GRAND PRIX OF MACAU

For Lukas Dunner, it was definitely the right direction – the invitation came a month ago from the Dutch team MP Motorsport to participate at the 66th Grand Prix of Macau, the legendary Formula 3 World Cup in Macau.

It was clear from the first moment that you had to accept this invitation, although there was a lot to be changed on the calendar of Dunner. On the one hand, it was already fixed that he would travel to compete at the Asian Le Mans Series in LMP2 with Intereuropol and on the other hand, in the W4 Rally, the debut for the youngster from Vienna in the Skoda Fabia R5 of Guenther Knobloch, with RRA (Race Rent Austria).

The Grand Prix of Macau, a crowning graduation to a very successful season by Lukas Dunner, only just 17-years of age, with two wins, four pole positions, eight podium finishes in two different championships, two completely different vehicle concepts (in the Dallara 317 Formula 3 and in the Ligier LMP3/LMP2) fully motivated as always and bags packed ready to learn.
In the very competitive and crowded Euroformula Open Formula 3 championship this year, the Liese Prokop student studying at the centre for high performing youth athletes in Austria, with his team Teo Martin Motorsport under the technical direction of Paolo Angilella, was able to compete against various top drivers from established junior programs and conclude with an excellent ranking of third overall. Also in endurance racing, Dunner displayed more of what he could do, impressive in two appearances for the Vienna racing team Wimmer Werk, where he put the Ligier LMP3 on pole position and won both races in dominant-style along with his two teammates.

On Monday evening he arrived in Macau, first to acclimatize and to be prepared as planned for the actual program starting on the Thursday. Free practice and qualifying sessions took place on Thursday and Friday, the qualification race was held on Saturday and on Sunday, it was the legendary Grand Prix of Macau, driving in the FIA Formula 3 World Cup.
Lukas Dunner completed both free practice sessions and both qualifying sessions on Thursday and Friday without any mistakes, showing once again why he is already so successful despite his youth.

He finished midfield in the extremely strong driver field, as a rookie in a new car and with a totally new brand of tyres for him, and was able to remain relatively patient. In Macau, the debut year is all about completing all the laps to be ready for more when you return.

On Saturday, Dunner began from start grid 23 and drove a controlled, but strong race, storming to 12th place and secured a row 6 start for his MP Motorsport F3 car for the GP of Macau on Sunday.

On Sunday, Lukas Dunner drove his first Macau Grand Prix. After a good start, the young Viennese was placed 9th within a few laps, but apparently there were some problems with the DRS, until he finally crossed the line in his first time at Macau with an outstanding 14th and celebrated a custommade debut.

Lukas Dunner:

“I have mixed feelings now immediately following the Macau Grand Prix,” says the young driver from Vienna. “On the one side, if someone would have offered me this result before the weekend I would have taken it straight away. On the other side it’s also bitter, if you’re already on P9 and then have to give a few more places. Anyway, a hammering experience that I will never forget, which I can hardly describe in words, to drive here with these cars. My team MP Motorsport has done a brilliant job, I enjoyed every moment, thanks to everyone who was here with me and to everyone who kept their fingers crossed for me at home. I’m looking forward to Macau 2020! Congratulations to Richard Verschoor and MP Motorsport on their victory at the Grand Prix of Macau, on their debut.”