Macau. Having finished second in the qualification race, BMW
Team Schnitzer’s Augusto Farfus (BRA) was also the best-placed BMW
driver on Sunday at the FIA GT World Cup in Macau (CHN). The
Brazilian overcame an unscheduled pit stop, caused by a collision on
the “Guia Circuit” that was not his fault, and worked his way up to
fourth place from the back of the field. Chaz Mostert (AUS) and
Marco Wittmann (GER), competing in two BMW M6 GT3 cars from the FIST
– Team AAI, secured fifth and sixth positions to complete the good
overall result for BMW at the spectacular 2017 GT season finale.
The race started behind the safety car due to wet conditions, with
Farfus in second place. When the FIA GT World Cup finally got going,
the #18 BMW M6 GT3 was hit by a competitor. This caused serious damage
to the rear bodywork, which threatened to tear off completely. Farfus
had to head for the pits, where the crew removed the loose boot cover.
The BMW Art Car returned to the race in last place. Farfus showed real
fighting spirit to make up lost ground and finish in fourth position.
Despite his lack of experience at Macau, Mostert again put in a
commanding performance to cross the line in fifth place after 18 laps,
just ahead of his team-mate Wittmann. The two-time DTM champion’s car
was badly damaged in a mass collision during the qualification race
but the AAI team managed to repair it in time for the main event.
However, Tom Blomqvist (GBR) missed out on the main race in Macau.
His #99 ROWE Racing BMW M6 GT3 took such a severe hit during the
spectacular mass pile-up on Saturday that competing on Sunday became
an impossibility.
Reactions to the main race:
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “That was
an unbelievably exciting weekend – with a dramatic finale. It is
difficult to draw a definitive conclusion from a race like that. Of
course, it is a bit disappointing from a sporting perspective to start
from second and then cross the line in fourth, but the recovery that
Augusto put in with our Art Car, after being knocked back to last
place through no fault of his own, was impressive, breath-taking and
in the end reconciling. We must also not forget that two other BMW M6
GT3s made it to fifth and sixth places as well. Congratulations to
Team AAI, Chaz and Marco – even more so – as the team did a great job
to repair Marco’s car overnight, after it had sustained such serious
damage. This race also marks the end of a thrilling year under the art
banner which we heralded in Daytona with the Art Car by John
Baldessari and have now concluded here with the 18th Art
Car by Cao Fei. Both Art Cars were fascinating in their own way. It
was impressive to experience the enthusiasm of the fans and our guests
here, as they joined us in cheering on Augusto and the Art Car. This
project was a great success and I am sure it was not just me that
found it inspirational. We believe that we have been able to continue
the great Art Car tradition and we are looking forward to more
projects like this in the future.”
Cao Fei: “I was nervous and excited before and after
the race. Through my BMW Art Car there was a connection between
Augusto and me. He asked me to sign his helmet and I wrote ‘Fast’ on
it. It is amazing what he has achieved and I congratulate Augusto
Farfus from the bottom of my heart. He is a hero to me!”
Augusto Farfus (#18 BMW M6 GT3, BMW Team Schnitzer,
4th place):
“I enjoyed the race. We showed that we never give up. Things looked
really bad for us after the first lap. After the pit stop, we fought
our way up from the back of the field. When you consider the state the
car was in after this race, it was a dream result. Thanks to BMW, Cao
Fei, the art department and BMW Team Schnitzer. I think we showed the
world that we are a really strong family. I just missed out on the
podium but I will be heading home with a big smile on my face.”
Chaz Mostert (#90 BMW M6 GT3, FIST – Team AAI, 5th place):
“Everything went well for me here in Macau, apart from qualifying. I
felt more and more relaxed after each session. I did touch the wall
briefly during the race today. I was really lucky there. My
performance was good enough for fifth place in the end. It was my
first race on this circuit, and only my third in a GT3 car. I am
completely satisfied and hope that I get the chance to come back.”
Marco Wittmann (#91 BMW M6 GT3, FIST – Team AAI,
6th place):
“In Macau, it is particularly difficult to start from so far back. Of
course, I would have preferred a normal start because it was more
difficult to make up ground. I benefited from some accidents and
finishing in sixth is OK. This result really shows what a great job
the team did to put the car back together overnight so that we were
able to compete in the final race. The boys gave their all so I am
just happy that we made it to the end of the race. Of course, I would
have liked to have finished higher, or reached the podium, but that
wasn’t realistic today.”