Freddie Slater put a spotlight on the 2025 Macao Grand Prix weekend when he won the Saturday qualifying race in a dominating performance. The 28‑year‑old British driver took the lead from the first corner and never looked back, lapping the field comfortably and setting the fastest time for the main event.
Slater, fresh off his Formula Regional European championship, started from second on the grid. He pulled away from polesitter Théophile Naël within the opening lap, trapping a lead that stretched to more than five seconds by the halfway point. “Macao is unforgiving,” Slater told reporters. “You have to hit the marks, keep the rhythm, and pace yourself or you’ll make mistakes.”
Other front‑row drivers made their moves early too. Evan Giltaire and Mari Boya also overtook Naël at the start. Boya climbed from sixth to third, while Giltaire could not keep pace and was pulled back into the pack. Later on, Boya slipped ahead at the Lisboa bend using a slipstream, then Naël took the third spot a lap later. Both battled Slater for top sectors but the Briton stayed ahead by plenty of seconds.
Slater finished the qualifying race 5.17 seconds ahead of Boya, with Naël in third. Giltaire took fourth, followed by teammate Taito Kato and Enzo Deligny. The race ran mostly clean, except for a minor clash at the tight Melco Hairpin on lap one that didn’t bring out a safety car.
With a clear lead, Slater now sets the front‑row grid for Sunday’s main race. He added that being on a track that has seen legends like Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher would be a dream. “I love being here and I want to come back next year,” he said, hoping to finish the weekend on a high note.
The Macao Grand Prix, first held in 1954, has become one of the most respected single‑seater races worldwide. Its Guia Circuit, a mix of long straights, tight walls, blind corners, and steep elevation changes, is famous for its difficulty. After years as a classic Formula 3 event, the race switched to Formula Regional rules last year, making it a top stepping stone for drivers aiming for Formula 1.
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