Macau/Shanghai. The BMW teams have enjoyed a successful
Saturday on a big weekend in Asia for BMW M Motorsport. Augusto
Farfus (BRA) took victory for BMW Team Schnitzer in the qualifying
race for the FIA GT World Cup in Macau (CHN). He crossed the finish
line first at the wheel of the #42 BMW M6 GT3 after twelve laps of
racing. Starting from second on the grid, Farfus took the lead at
the start and held it to the end. At almost the same time, BMW MTEK
put in a strong performance in qualifying for the FIA World
Endurance Championship (WEC) race in Shanghai (CHN). The two BMW M8
GTE qualified second and fifth in the LM GTE Pro class.
Farfus produced a flawless drive at the demanding Guia Circuit on the
streets of Macau. He wasted no time in taking the lead at the start of
the race. After a safety car period following a crash, the 35-year-old
did a great job of defending his lead and, after qualifying second
last year, took victory in Saturday’s FIA GT World Cup race.
Meanwhile, at the Shanghai International Circuit, Nick Catsburg (NED)
set the second fastest qualifying team of 1:58.874 minutes in the #81
BMW M8 GTE. The Dutchman missed out on pole position by just 0.247
seconds. He will share the driving duties with Martin Tomczyk (GER) in
Sunday’s race. The #82 car – with Tom Blomqvist (GBR) and António
Félix da Costa (POR) at the wheel – will start from fifth place.
Reactions on the BMW M Motorsport Asian Weekend (Saturday).
Jens Marquardt, BMW Motorsport Director:
“Congratulations to Augusto Farfus, Charly Lamm and BMW Team Schnitzer
Motorsport for the win in the qualification race in Macau. It’s a
great start to the weekend. Augusto took the lead straight after the
start and never gave it away. It shows what you can do if you know the
track like he does and you arrive with a perfectly prepared car by
Schnitzer. Fingers crossed for the team in tomorrow’s main race.
Meanwhile, second and fifth place is not a bad position to be starting
from in the 6 Hours of Shanghai. As it will be raining tomorrow, it
will be a difficult race, but we’ve seen today that the speed of the
drivers is there and we have a very good package. Even with the rain
forecast, I have a positive feeling for Sunday.”
Augusto Farfus (BMW M6 GT3, car number 42): “The GT
race here in Macau is always very special. It is extremely close, the
field is top quality. That makes this win all the sweeter. We did not
know exactly what to expect from the race. However, we had prepared
very well. I was very determined at the start and was able to take the
lead. I also gave it everything when the safety car came in. The BMW
M6 GT3 was fantastic. Today is not quite as important as tomorrow, but
it is still awesome to start from pole position on Sunday and to
celebrate victory today. I am particularly pleased for Charly Lamm. It
is an honour to drive for him and BMW Team Schnitzer. It is an even
bigger honour to be able to call Charly a real friend and a mentor.”
Charly Lamm, team principal BMW Team Schnitzer: “I
can hardly find the words to describe all that. Macau is just a
special place for us. We saw that again today. Augusto’s performance
was sensational. His qualifying display was impressive, then he made
the perfect start today and was able to open a lead. That may only
have been the qualifying race, but this win still feels very good. We
now hope that we can carry this momentum into tomorrow. I’d like to
say a big thank you to Augusto, the entire team and BMW.”
Nick Catsburg (BMW M8 GTE, car number 81): “In
qualifying the car worked very well for me. I just kept it together
and I’m happy with my lap. To put it on the front row in the WEC you
have to have a very capable car, and Martin and I have that here in
the BMW M8 GTE. It’s a long race tomorrow but we’re looking forward to
fighting for the podium from start.”