F4 Racing: Macao’s very own Leong takes Grand Prix honours

The three-day programme featured six races on the 6.2-kilometre Guia Circuit, culminating in the SJM Formula 4 Macau Grand Prix

The three-day programme featured six races on the 6.2-kilometre Guia Circuit, culminating in the SJM Formula 4 Macau Grand Prix

Charles Leong Hon Chio (with helmet), winner of the 2020 Formula 4 Macau Grand Prix, driving for Theodore Smart Life Racing

Charles Leong Hon Chio (with helmet), winner of the 2020 Formula 4 Macau Grand Prix, driving for Theodore Smart Life Racing

Only 20 years old, Leong has already won the 2017 Chinese F4 Championship and also competed in the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix events in 2018 and 2019, then winning in both 2020 and 2021 F4 races

Only 20 years old, Leong has already won the 2017 Chinese F4 Championship and also competed in the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix events in 2018 and 2019, then winning in both 2020 and 2021 F4 races

Driving for Theodore Smart Life Racing, Leong took home the trophy again, after completing the 12-lap course in a time of 00:30:11.640

Driving for Theodore Smart Life Racing, Leong took home the trophy again, after completing the 12-lap course in a time of 00:30:11.640

Leong is the first Macao driver in all 68 competitions to win a Macau Grand Prix twice. Leong is the most recent Macao driver to win a MGP, the first was André Couto’s Formula 3 victory in 2000

Leong is the first Macao driver in all 68 competitions to win a Macau Grand Prix twice. Leong is the most recent Macao driver to win a MGP, the first was André Couto’s Formula 3 victory in 2000

Macao Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng awards the winners of the Formula 4 Macau Grand Prix of the 68th Macau Grand Prix. Leong came first (centre), followed by Macao’s Andy Chang Wing Chung (left) and then mainland China’s Li Si Cheng (far right) in third place

Macao Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng awards the winners of the Formula 4 Macau Grand Prix of the 68th Macau Grand Prix. Leong came first (centre), followed by Macao’s Andy Chang Wing Chung (left) and then mainland China’s Li Si Cheng (far right) in third place

Gleaming with pride, Leong holds up his 68th Macau Grand Prix trophy

Gleaming with pride, Leong holds up his 68th Macau Grand Prix trophy

There were close calls when Leong could have lost the lead. For instance, on one occasion, Chang drew close to Leong in the first lap on the run to the Lisboa, but the latter held firm and retained the lead

There were close calls when Leong could have lost the lead. For instance, on one occasion, Chang drew close to Leong in the first lap on the run to the Lisboa, but the latter held firm and retained the lead

Sixteen drivers participated in the SJM Formula 4 Macau Grand Prix race, from Macao, Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China

Sixteen drivers participated in the SJM Formula 4 Macau Grand Prix race, from Macao, Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China

This year’s three-day event drew about 56,000 spectators, an increase over 2020’s attendance

This year’s three-day event drew about 56,000 spectators, an increase over 2020’s attendance

Ceremony and a racing-car exhibition were launched on 13 November at Tap Seac Square, to promote the MGP

Ceremony and a racing-car exhibition were launched on 13 November at Tap Seac Square, to promote the MGP

The 68th Macau Grand Prix Family Carnival was also held at the Tap Seac Square, allowing families to experience a mini-racetrack and try other interactive games

The 68th Macau Grand Prix Family Carnival was also held at the Tap Seac Square, allowing families to experience a mini-racetrack and try other interactive games

The SJM Formula 4 Macau Grand Prix, the racing event’s premier event, saw local driverCharles Leong Hon Chio successfully defend his MGP championship title.

Macao racing driver Charles Leong Hon Chio made history at the 68th Macao Grand Prix by successfully defending his title won at last year’s event. He became the first Macao driver to win the championship for the second time.

The annual Macau Grand Prix went ahead successfully, despite Covid-19 and related travel restrictions, running from 19 to 21 November. Macao Sports Bureau President Pun Weng Kun said that this year’s three-day event – costing MOP 170 million (US$21.3 million) and receiving MOP 33 million (US$4.1 million) in sponsorship revenue – drew 56,000 spectators, more than attended in 2020.

Pun noted that besides Formula 1 races, only a few international Grand Prix events went ahead this year. Macao hosted two Grand Prix races during the two-year pandemic period, which was highly appreciated by the motor-racing community. However, this year only drivers from Macao, mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan took part.

The main race of the 68th MGP, the SJM Formula 4 Macau Grand Prix, was a China Formula 4 Championship instead of the more traditional FIA 1 Formula 3 event.