Absolute Racing is set to return to the FIA GT World Cup - Macau Grand Prix this November with Porsche drivers Laurens Vanthoor and Alessio Picariello.
Fresh off securing the GT3 Pro-Am title in the Fanatec GT World Challenge by AWS, Alessio Picariello, a two-time ELMS GTE Am champion renowned for his strong performances in both the WEC and IMSA series, will once again drive a Porsche 911 GT3 R (Type 992) after finishing eleventh last year. The Belgian driver has been a key member of the Absolute Racing since 2014, contributing to the team's success with numerous race victories and championships. Alessio Picariello has also spearheaded Absolute Racing's entries in the 24 Hours of Hours of Le Mans and led the team’s 2022 European Le Mans Series campaign.
On the other side of the garage will be 2016 FIA GT World Cup winner Laurens Vanthoor, who will be racing with Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific customer team Absolute Racing for the first time at the Macau Guia Circuit from November 14-17. The Belgian GT driver needs no introduction, having won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours of Spa, the Intercontinental GT Challenge, the Blancpain Endurance Championship, the Blancpain GT Series, as well as the Dubai 24 Hours and the Sepang 12 Hours.
Laurens Vanthoor will drive the No. 25 Tsingtao Absolute Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R, while Alessio Picariello will race the No. 911 Geek VP Absolute Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R.
The 7th edition of the FIA GT World Cup will feature two 30-minute practice sessions followed by a single qualifying session of the same duration. The event will culminate in two races: a 12-lap qualifying race on Saturday, followed by a 16-lap title-deciding main race on Sunday.
TEAM QUOTES:
Fabien Fior (Team Principal): "The Macau Grand Prix is always a highlight of the Asian motorsport season, and it's a race where we've built some of our fondest memories and greatest victories. We're excited to return this year with two exceptional drivers. Laurens, a former FIA GT World Cup champion, and Alessio, one of the top talents in the region, give us every reason to aim for success. You can count on our Porsche cars to be in the fight for the top spots."
Laurens Vanthoor (No. 25 Tsingtao Absolute Racing Driver): "Macau is always one of my personal highlights and one of my favorite races of the year. It's the last race of the season and always has a fantastic atmosphere. Chasing victory with Porsche would be a dream come true. I believe this year we have a very strong package. Last year, we were fast but missed out by just a little. I hope we can take one more step forward this year and fight for the World Cup victory."
Alessio Picariello (No. 911 Geek VP Absolute Racing Driver): "I am very happy to be back in Macau for a second year in a row with Porsche and Absolute Racing. Macau is always a unique event, and it is definitely one of the biggest and most important objectives of the season for us. I’m very excited to get started. You don’t go to Macau aiming for seventh or sixth place — you go for the win. The goal is pretty simple."
