Is there one place in Macao that helped shape you as a racing driver?
The Guia Circuit is incredibly special, just like the Macau Grand Prix itself. I remember watching Ayrton Senna win in Macao in 1983. From then on, I watched the Grand Prix every year. I was one of those enthusiastic kids collecting autographs and stickers whenever I could.
The Guia Circuit is one of the toughest street circuits in the world. Has racing there made you a better driver everywhere else?
Definitely. Long before I raced Formula 3 in Macao, I already knew the Guia Circuit extremely well. I spent years going around it in different cars – sometimes as a passenger, sometimes driving – and even on motorbikes. You get to know every corner and every street. When you eventually race Formula 3 on the Guia Circuit, other tracks feel a little easier. I’ve always believed that if you can be fast in Macao, you can be fast anywhere.
| MACAO ID |
|---|
| Name | André Couto Age | 49 Title | Racing driver Place of birth | Lisbon No. of years living in Macao | 45 Macao in one word | Home |
You’ve raced all over the world. What does it mean to compete with ‘Macao’ on your helmet?
The best part is representing the people I grew up with. Macao is a special place, and I started my racing career here with one dream: to compete in the Macau Grand Prix. To go on and represent Macao internationally – and do well – is an incredible feeling. Winning the Macau Grand Prix was my dream, and I think, in a way, it was also a dream shared by many people in Macao.
After travelling so much, what instantly tells you that you’re home?
The food and the smell of the streets.
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about growing up in Macao?
It’s where I grew up and where I met the most important people in my life. Anyone who has lived in Macao for a long time will probably tell you it’s a special place. It’s a city that’s constantly changing, while still keeping its own character.
Did growing up in Macao give you any lessons that still help you today?
Growing up in Macao gave me a normal childhood, just like any other kid. But from an early age, I always had the mindset that I wanted to win. You have to surround yourself with the best people possible. As you progress in sport, there comes a point when you need to leave Macao to compete internationally. The people you meet often have different ways of working and different mindsets.
School and everyday life in Macao were just one part of my life. Competition was the other. If you’re driven to compete, you develop a different mindset because you have to make sacrifices to achieve your goals. You give up many things that come with an ordinary life.
If a visitor had just one day to experience Macao, where would you take them and why?
If I had to choose just one place, it would be San Ma Lou in downtown. That’s Macao.
What’s the one local food every visitor has to try?
Going for yum cha and eating dim sum. I love the tradition of people gathering for lunch at dim sum restaurants, which is one of the city’s most authentic experiences.
What’s your message for young people in Macao who dream of becoming athletes?
Never give up on your dreams. If you truly believe in them, go for them. Never stop believing in yourself, even when other people don’t.
What makes Macao different from anywhere else you’ve been?
The lifestyle is unique. Compared with many other cities, life here feels easier because everything is close by. You can always meet someone, unlike in bigger cities where people often live far apart and have hectic schedules. We can all be busy here too, but we still find time for each other. Of course, there’s also the Macau Grand Prix. It’s known around the world and it’s the city’s biggest international event. Nothing else really puts Macao on the world stage in quite the same way.
(Photos courtesy of André Couto)
