The decision to finish the Formula Regional World Cup qualifying race at the Macau Grand Prix behind the safety car due to heavy rain has been strongly supported by leading contenders. The race, which was initially set for 10 laps, had been halted after rain intensified at the crucial Lisboa corner of the circuit. Several drivers lost control of their cars as the rain began to affect the track, especially in that section, prompting the red flag.
As the rain began to ease on other parts of the 3.8-mile Guia circuit, teams were able to fit wet weather tyres on their cars. After a 10-minute delay, the race resumed behind the safety car, with the remaining laps run under caution. However, due to the persistent unsafe conditions, the race was completed behind the safety car for the final three laps, as visibility and grip levels remained far below what was safe for racing at full speed.
Noel Leon, who finished third in the race for KCMG by Pinnacle Motorsport, explained the reasoning behind the decision. He highlighted the excessive spray that was being produced in the wet conditions, especially at reduced speeds behind the safety car. "It was a lot of spray at 60kph or 80kph [behind the safety car], so for sure at 200kph it would’ve been a lot of spray," Leon said in an interview with Motorsport. "We don't want to race under safety car conditions, but at the end of the day, safety is most important, so it was a great decision from the race director."
The track’s challenges in dealing with the rain were evident, particularly in the Lisboa corner, a notoriously difficult part of the circuit where visibility was severely reduced by the spray. Given the nature of the track, the race director’s decision to finish the race under caution was widely viewed as the safest option to ensure the well-being of the drivers.
The decision was not only supported by Leon but also by other drivers, who acknowledged the dangers presented by the weather conditions. As the Macau Grand Prix continues to be one of the most prestigious events in motorsport, safety remains the top priority, and the decision to prioritize that over the race’s full completion was universally seen as the right move.
In the end, while the race did not unfold as planned, the drivers and teams agreed that safety should never be compromised, especially in the unpredictable and treacherous conditions of the Macau Grand Prix circuit.
