The event in Macau started to prove atypical already on Friday’s free practice, when it was obvious to all that the asphalt was not up to standards. The recently resurfaced track began crumbling under the mighty powerful SKF engines, making it at times unsafe for drivers.
Also, unstable weather with showers in the morning and sunshine in the afternoon added to the pressure.
Came Saturday, and official qualifying saw Manuel stopping the 8th fastest time and Laura 16th, the latter finding it a bit more troublesome to pin down the right set up. The first heat looked promising, with Manuel stable in the top five - also marking the fastest lap with 47”476 – and Laura who came back up to 8th, until lap 10 when a rival’s unlikely overtaking manoeuvre wrecked her kart forcing her to retire. No time left for Heat 2, because the stewards called it the day as a result of a dangerous state of the track, suspending the programme.
Late in the evening it was announce that the programme - four remaining heats, prefinal and final - was to be resumed on Sunday.
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Also, unstable weather with showers in the morning and sunshine in the afternoon added to the pressure.
Came Saturday, and official qualifying saw Manuel stopping the 8th fastest time and Laura 16th, the latter finding it a bit more troublesome to pin down the right set up. The first heat looked promising, with Manuel stable in the top five - also marking the fastest lap with 47”476 – and Laura who came back up to 8th, until lap 10 when a rival’s unlikely overtaking manoeuvre wrecked her kart forcing her to retire. No time left for Heat 2, because the stewards called it the day as a result of a dangerous state of the track, suspending the programme.
Late in the evening it was announce that the programme - four remaining heats, prefinal and final - was to be resumed on Sunday.
PRESS RELEASE DOWNLOAD
