Pinnacle Motorsport boss John O’Hara says his workforce’s Macau Grand Prix win got here as “no shock” to him, as Theo Nael and Mari Boya secured a 1-2 end for the Irish outfit.
Pinnacle was making solely its second Macau look, having been handed the possibility to affix the sector upon the race’s swap from FIA System 3 to System Regional equipment final yr, owing to its success within the System Regional Center East championship.
After ending third final yr with Noel Leon, the KCMG-sponsored squad locked out the highest two positions this time round amid an exhilarating end by which Nael vaulted from third to first with a double go on Boya and R-ace GP’s Enzo Deligny.
Regardless of not having the identical profile of the opposite groups on the Macau grid corresponding to Prema, ART Grand Prix and Trident that compete increased up the junior single-seater ladder, O’Hara mentioned he was all the time assured that Macau success was within the workforce’s grasp.
“It’s the most important race of the yr for us, so we put a variety of effort into this weekend, by way of automobile preparation, advertising, drivers, doing all of the offers early,” O’Hara instructed Autosport. “However I had no doubts that if we carried out at our greatest, that that is the end result we’d get.
“Individuals might not be conscious of us, as a result of we’re not within the highlight in Europe, however we now have been competing very strongly in opposition to many of those groups for the final seven or eight years within the Center East, so for me it’s no shock.”
Requested whether or not victory in Macau may encourage Pinnacle in the direction of racing in Europe in future, O’Hara replied: “We’re open to competing in Europe however all the weather have to be appropriate. We don’t need to do it simply to make up the numbers. If we do one thing, it’s to be as aggressive as attainable. For 2026, it gained’t be the case, however we don’t rule something out sooner or later.”
Theophile Nael, KCMG ENYA by Pinnacle Motorsport
Photograph by: Macau GP
Boya spent the primary a part of the race combating Prema driver Freddie Slater for the lead, gaining the benefit off the road, solely to then lose it on the primary security automobile restart at Lisboa.
The second security automobile gave Boya one other probability to assault Slater, which he seized with a equally courageous outdoors transfer at Lisboa, after which Slater crashed out at R Bend to deliver out the ultimate warning that swung the race in favour of Nael.
“I noticed on the primary restart that the slipstream was actually highly effective,” mentioned the Aston Martin junior. “I felt like I did a very good job and [Slater] simply overtook me tremendous simply.
“As soon as I noticed I couldn’t stick with him, I attempted to avoid wasting my tyres and I ready the restarts, for my alternative. I had the luck with the [second] security automobile.
“He was extremely quick within the final two corners, however the slipstream was so highly effective that I used to be capable of arrive and danger it lots below braking. I knew it was my probability to go Freddie.
“He made a mistake within the final nook and I believed it was my race as a result of I had a spot. However then security automobile, one-lap race, ciao! I attempted to do what I may within the final two corners however the slipstream was too highly effective. Theo did an incredible job, congratulations to him.”
Boya later added: “They modified the [tyre] compound, so it’s simpler to have the tyre prepared and tougher to defend. There was nothing extra I may do, simply ready for a automobile to overhaul.
“That is Macau. I’m a bit unhappy now, however as a driver it’s nonetheless the very best expertise you’ll be able to have.”
Mari Boya, KCMG ENYA by Pinnacle Motorsport
Photograph by: Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee
Frenchman Nael began the qualifying race on pole, solely to drop to 3rd after making a poor begin in a race devoid of security automobile intervals, and spent many of the major race operating in fourth till he was promoted again to 3rd by Slater’s crash.
“I did a very good restart,” mentioned Nael of the ultimate phases. “I simply put it in sixth gear, flat out. I don’t know why however they [Boya and Deligny] slowed down a bit an excessive amount of, I went to the left, I closed the door late, I saved an eye fixed on my mirrors with Mari, and it labored.
“I do know that we’re racing in Macau so something can occur till the chequered flag. I used to be affected person but it surely was a rollercoaster the entire weekend.”
O’Hara additionally admitted Boya was unlucky to lose out on victory in such circumstances.
“He was operating first on the highway when the protection automobile got here out and that labored in opposition to him,” he mentioned of Boya. “That’s Macau – it’s important to take the tough with the sleek.
“Each drivers deserved to win. You may discuss Freddie Slater, he was super-fast, however he was feeling the strain, put it within the wall. We had been proper there and we maximised the end result.”
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