2011 Macau Grand Prix

The Macau Grand Prix is a Formula Three race considered to be a stepping stone to higher motor racing categories such as Formula One and is Macau's most prestigious international sporting event.{{cite web|url=https://www.autoindustriya.com/race-reports/the-macau-grand-prix.html|title=The Macau Grand Prix – A look back through time|last=Carino|first=JP|date=7 December 2007|work=AutoIndustriya.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116065247/https://www.autoindustriya.com/race-reports/the-macau-grand-prix.html|archivedate=16 November 2017|accessdate=15 November 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://en.macaotourism.gov.mo/events/majorevent_detail.php?id=7|title=Macau Grand Prix|publisher=Macao Government Tourism Office|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211155754/http://en.macaotourism.gov.mo/events/majorevent_detail.php?id=7|archive-date=11 February 2018|url-status=live|access-date=28 October 2018}} The 2011 Macau Grand Prix was the fifty-eighth running of the event and the twenty-ninth time the race was held to Formula Three regulations. It took place on the {{Convert|6.2|km|mi|adj=on}} twenty-two turn Guia Circuit on 20 November 2011 with three preceding days of practice and qualifying.{{Cite web|url=http://archive.grandprix.gov.mo/gp/58/news.php?lang=en&kind=gp58&id=3533|title=58th Macau Grand Prix – Fast Facts|date=6 October 2011|website=macau.grandprix.gov.mo|publisher=Macau Grand Prix|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724070241/http://archive.grandprix.gov.mo/gp/58/news.php?lang=en&kind=gp58&id=3533|archive-date=24 July 2018|url-status=dead|access-date=24 July 2018}}

In order to compete in Macau, drivers had to compete in an FIA-regulated championship meeting during the calendar year, in either the FIA Formula 3 International Trophy or one of the domestic championships, with these drivers given priority in receiving an invitation to the meeting.{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95080|first=Jamie|last=O'Leary|title=Sainz to make Euro Series debut|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=6 October 2011|accessdate=17 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111109025816/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95080|archive-date=9 November 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://archive.grandprix.gov.mo/images/upload/Image/2011%20Macau%20F3%20Sporting%20Regulations-2011-07-11.pdf|title=FIA Formula 3 Intercontinental Cup – Macau: 17th – 20th November 2011: Sporting Regulations|date=25 March 2011|work=macau.grandprix.gov.mo|publisher=Macau Grand Prix|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724063242/http://archive.grandprix.gov.mo/images/upload/Image/2011%20Macau%20F3%20Sporting%20Regulations-2011-07-11.pdf|archive-date=24 July 2018|url-status=dead|accessdate=17 November 2011}} Within the 30-car grid of the event,{{Cite news|url=http://macaudailytimes.com.mo/archive-2009-2014/sports/30198-auto-racing-f3-champions-sign-up-for-macau-grand-prix.html|title=Auto-racing: F3 champions sign up for Macau Grand Prix|date=7 October 2011|work=Macau Daily Times|access-date=23 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723204431/http://macaudailytimes.com.mo/archive-2009-2014/sports/30198-auto-racing-f3-champions-sign-up-for-macau-grand-prix.html|archive-date=23 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} each of the major Formula Three series were represented by their respective champion. Roberto Merhi, the Euro Series and FIA International Trophy champion, was joined in Macau by British champion Felipe Nasr, German series winner Richie Stanaway and Japanese champion Yuhi Sekiguchi, who was a late addition to the entry list after an injured wrist ruled out Michael Ho.{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96256|title=Japanese Formula 3 champion Yuhi Sekiguchi replaces Michael Ho for Macau GP|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|accessdate=16 November 2011|date=16 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119014947/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96256|archive-date=19 November 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

Four drivers from the GP3 Series, including champion Valtteri Bottas, also made a return to Formula Three for the event, and Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 runner-up Carlos Sainz Jr. was also part of the field, having competed in the Euro Series in its season-closing round at the Hockenheimring order to compete at Macau. Bottas raced at the British Formula Three meeting at Donington Park in September to prepare for Macau,{{Cite news|url=https://reader.exacteditions.com/issues/9569/page/22|title=In Brief: Bottas is Back|date=28 September 2011|work=Motorsport News|access-date=23 July 2018|publisher=Haymarket Publications|page=22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723204431/https://reader.exacteditions.com/issues/9569/page/22|archive-date=23 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} while his fellow GP3 Series competitors Alexander Sims and Mitch Evans sealed their eligibility by taking part in the series' season-ending round at the Silverstone Circuit the month after.{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/f3/news/95028/sims-and-evans-get-british-f3-outing|title=GP3's Alexander Sims and Mitch Evans join British F3 field for Silverstone finale|last=Anderson|first=Ben|date=3 October 2011|website=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723204430/https://www.autosport.com/f3/news/95028/sims-and-evans-get-british-f3-outing|archive-date=23 July 2018|url-status=live|access-date=23 July 2018|df=dmy-all}}

Marco Wittmann set the fastest time for Signature in the 45-minute first free practice session that was held prior to the first qualifying session, setting a lap time almost two seconds quicker than anyone else on a drying Guia circuit.{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96274|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|title=Marco Wittmann leads wet first practice for Macau Grand Prix|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=17 November 2011|accessdate=17 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120184808/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96274|archive-date=20 November 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} His closest challenger was Prema Powerteam's Daniel Juncadella ahead of Mücke Motorsport's Yuhi Sekiguchi, the other Prema car of Roberto Merhi, and Lucas Foresti completed the top five for Fortec Motorsport ahead of Carlin trio of Kevin Magnussen, Felipe Nasr and Carlos Huertas. Owing to the wet conditions, the session was stopped on two occasions; the stationary cars of Hironobu Yasuda and Evans at the Melco hairpin caused the first red flag almost 20 minutes into the session,{{cite news|url=http://www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo/gp/58/news.php?kind=gp58&id=3756&lang=en|title=Wittmann Heads wet Macau Grand Prix First Practice|work=macau.grandprix.gov.mo|publisher=Macau Grand Prix|accessdate=17 November 2011|date=17 November 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121219235212/http://www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo/gp/58/news.php?kind=gp58&id=3756&lang=en|archive-date=2012-12-19|url-status=dead}} with Felix Rosenqvist the cause of the second stoppage as he took avoiding action to stop himself running into.a line of stationary vehicles at the same turn.

{{quote box|quote="I want to finish this race after last year. I want to make sure I get through to the final, and try to win this Macau GP. I think we have the potential, the team has done a good job and I think I am very competitive and very confident. In any conditions I am going to be really quick, and I am confident in myself. It has been a difficult weekend for me. In the first qualifying I was P1 but I had an accident with [Felix] Rosenqvist and because of that accident I had a seven-place grid penalty. Then this morning I had a crash in San Francisco, and because of that crash I wasn't pushing so hard in this corner. I was taking care every time. But I was P1 in qualifying and all the time I was battling with Marco [Wittmann]. He did a good job to improve on my best time and put me down to P2, but it has been all year like this, and it is nice to come here again to be P1 and P2."|source=Roberto Merhi provisionally qualified second on the grid, but was demoted to eighth for the qualification race.{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96326|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|title=Penalised Roberto Merhi sure he can win Macau Grand Prix from eighth on grid|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=18 November 2011|accessdate=18 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122051036/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96326|archive-date=22 November 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}|width=40%|align=right}}

The qualifying period was split into two sessions; the first was held on Thursday afternoon and ran for 30 minutes with the second held on Friday afternoon and was similarly timed to the previous day's session.{{Cite web|url=http://archive.grandprix.gov.mo/gp/58/subpage.php?id=3021&lang=en|title=The 58th Macau Grand Prix – Amended Provisional Programme: 17th to 20th of November 2011|website=macau.grandprix.gov.mo|publisher=Macau Grand Prix|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027045017/http://archive.grandprix.gov.mo/gp/58/subpage.php?id=3021&lang=en|archive-date=27 October 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=24 July 2018}} The fastest time set by each driver from either session counted towards his final starting position for the qualification race. The first qualifying session saw Merhi on top, again with a margin of over 1.5 seconds to the field. However, his session came to an early end in deteriorating track conditions as he misjudged his braking for Lisboa corner and ran into the back of Rosenqvist, ending the session for both drivers.{{cite news|url=http://www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo/gp/58/news.php?kind=gp58&id=3764&lang=en|title=Merhi takes Provisional Pole Position for "SJM" Macau Grand Prix|work=macau.grandprix.gov.mo|publisher=Macau Grand Prix|accessdate=17 November 2011|date=17 November 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121219224004/http://www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo/gp/58/news.php?kind=gp58&id=3764&lang=en|archive-date=2012-12-19|url-status=dead}} Wittmann ended up second ahead of Nasr, Juncadella and Sims. Sekiguchi finished the session in sixth place ahead of top-placed rookie Hannes van Asseldonk and António Félix da Costa with William Buller and Rosenqvist rounding out the top ten. Following them were Foresti, Kimiya Sato with Richie Stanaway and Magnussen provisionally lining up on row seven. Daniel Abt, who held the lead of the Grand Prix before crashing out in 2010, was next ahead of Jazeman Jaafar, Marko Asmer, Laurens Vanthoor and Jimmy Eriksson.{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96277|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|title=Roberto Merhi takes provisional Macau Grand Prix pole then crashes|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=17 November 2011|accessdate=17 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119174148/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96277|archive-date=19 November 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} Adderly Fong ended the session in 20th, ahead of Carlos Muñoz, Huertas, Hideki Yamauchi, Carlos Sainz Jr., Hywel Lloyd, Evans, Valtteri Bottas, Pietro Fantin, Richard Bradley and Yasuda. After qualifying, numerous penalties were handed out.{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96282|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|title=Roberto Merhi and seven other drivers hit with penalties in Macau GP|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=17 November 2011|accessdate=17 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122050739/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96282|archive-date=22 November 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} For earlier free practice incidents, Magnussen and Rosenqvist were sent to the back of the field. Rosenqvist was also given a three-place grid penalty for illegally crossing the pit lane exit line, along with session pacesetter Merhi, Asmer and Signature teammates Vanthoor, Muñoz and Sainz. Yasuda was given a six-place grid drop for crossing the line on two occasions. Merhi was then given another grid penalty for running into Rosenqvist, taking his total drop for the qualification race to ten places.{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96287|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|title=Roberto Merhi handed another penalty in Macau|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=17 November 2011|accessdate=17 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119224217/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96287|archive-date=19 November 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} Prior to second qualifying, Merhi, Rosenqvist and van Asseldonk – whose original penalty had not been announced – had their penalties rescinded.{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96310|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|title=Roberto Merhi sees one of his Macau grid penalties rescinded|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=18 November 2011|accessdate=18 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122104109/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96310|archive-date=22 November 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

{{quote box

| quote = "The session was really, really good; Roberto [Merhi] and I were fighting hard for a good lap time. During the session my first fastest lap was a 2m13.1s, and I thought maybe it was enough. But then Roberto improved and I had to go again. Here, you need to try and get a tow because you can gain some good lap time, but for the last laps I couldn't get it - so I tried really hard to push in the city to go really quick. To do it on the last lap was really amazing, and it is a great feeling to finish first in qualifying. But still we have two long races and, as you know, you can overtake here quite easily on the main straight. But I think we have good pace and for that I am quite confident."

| source = Marco Wittmann, after taking pole position for Signature.{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96318|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|title=Macau Grand Prix poleman Marco Wittmann confident he can carry qualifying pace into race|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=18 November 2011|accessdate=18 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122050749/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96318|archive-date=22 November 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

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In the second 45-minute practice session, Wittmann and Merhi fought for the top spot again as the track had dried out from earlier rain, and drivers were able to use slick tyres for the first time in the meeting.{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96308|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|title=Marco Wittmann fastest in chaotic practice in Macau|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=18 November 2011|accessdate=18 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122103913/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96308|archive-date=22 November 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} Wittmann came out on top by three tenths of a second, ahead of Merhi. Juncadella, Sainz and Nasr filled out the rest of the top five, the only other drivers to be within a second of the pace set by Wittmann. The session had to be stopped three times due to crashes,{{cite news|url=http://www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo/gp/58/news.php?lang=en&kind=gp58&id=3787|title=Wittmann Fastest in "SJM" Macau Grand Prix Second Practice|work=macau.grandprix.gov.mo|publisher=Macau Grand Prix|accessdate=18 November 2011|date=18 November 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121220041004/http://www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo/gp/58/news.php?lang=en&kind=gp58&id=3787|archive-date=2012-12-20|url-status=dead}} as Félix da Costa crashed early on at Moorish corner, Merhi hit the barriers at San Francisco Bend turn after running wide, and teammate Juncadella also crashed into the barriers late on. Juncadella also became another driver to be penalised three places on the grid for illegally crossing the pit lane exit line.{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96311|title=Daniel Juncadella gets grid penalty for pit exit infringement in Macau|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=18 November 2011|accessdate=18 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122051028/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96311|archive-date=22 November 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

In the second qualifying session, Wittmann set the early pace in the session before Merhi, looking to record as fast a time as possible in order to minimise his potential grid loss, moved ahead.{{cite news|url=http://www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo/gp/58/news.php?lang=en&kind=gp58&id=3797|title=Wittmann Takes Pole Position for "SJM" Macau Grand Prix|work=macau.grandprix.gov.mo|publisher=Macau Grand Prix|accessdate=18 November 2011|date=18 November 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121220023534/http://www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo/gp/58/news.php?lang=en&kind=gp58&id=3797|archive-date=2012-12-20|url-status=dead}} Wittmann and Merhi then traded fastest times once more before Wittmann took pole position with his final lap of the session, by 0.064 seconds ahead of Merhi.{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96312|title=Marco Wittmann secures Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix pole with late effort|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=18 November 2011|accessdate=18 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121013115/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96312|archive-date=21 November 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} With Merhi's penalty, Félix da Costa moved onto the front row, despite twice having problems with a sticking throttle.{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96327|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|title=Antonio Felix da Costa reveals stuck throttle fear after claiming Macau front row spot|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=18 November 2011|accessdate=18 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121050916/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96327|archive-date=21 November 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} Also moving ahead of Merhi were Bottas, Sims, Nasr, Huertas and Sekiguchi, as Magnussen and Rosenqvist – who were both quicker than Huertas and Sekiguchi – had already been sent to the back of the grid for their Thursday misdemeanours. The rest of the field lined up after penalties as Vanthoor, Sato, Juncadella, Asmer, Muñoz, top debutant Fantin, Jaafar, Abt, van Asseldonk, Stanaway, Sainz, Buller, Yamauchi, Lloyd, Foresti, Bradley, Fong, Yasuda, Eriksson and Evans – who failed to record times within 110% of Wittmann in second qualifying – who would start ahead of Magnussen and Rosenqvist.{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96322|title=Macau issues definitive grid for Formula 3 Grand Prix after plethora of penalties|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=18 November 2011|accessdate=18 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122103918/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96322|archive-date=22 November 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} The session passed relatively smoothly, with only Abt – after contact from Bradley – and Nasr hitting the barriers.

{{quote box|quote="From the start I got two places straight away, after [Alexander] Sims crashed and [António Félix] da Costa stalled. I was third into the first corner and managed to get a good tow from [Valtteri] Bottas and we were three wide into Lisboa. I was in the middle so I didn't have the right line to come out first and I was cautious not to make contact. I managed to come out in second though and then I just focused on keeping the car out of the walls so we could have a good position for tomorrow. Both [Marco] Wittmann and [Roberto] Merhi were very quick; Wittmann had a strong car in the middle sector, but I was fast in the final sector and was able to close on him there and pull away from Merhi a little. I think we need to look at the data to see how we can improve further so we are even strong tomorrow, but second place is a great position to start from in Macau."|source=Felipe Nasr finished second, holding off race-long pressure from Roberto Merhi.{{cite news|url=http://www.carlin.co.uk/news/NasrsecondinMacauQualificationRace.htm|title=Nasr takes second in Macau Qualification Race|work=Carlin|publisher=Capsicum|date=19 November 2011|accessdate=19 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501214612/http://www.carlin.co.uk/news/NasrsecondinMacauQualificationRace.htm|archive-date=2012-05-01|url-status=dead}}|width=40%|align=right}}

The qualification race to set the grid order for the main race on 19 November was delayed from its start time of 14:00 Macau Standard Time (UTC+08:00) by 30 minutes after earlier barrier damage from the GT Cup qualifying session. On his installation lap to the grid, Sims crashed his car at the Solitude Esses; he recovered to the pit lane, but failed to start the race due to extensive damage to the left-front corner of his car.{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96341|title=Alexander Sims gutted by out-lap crash in Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix qualification race|first=Charles|last=Bradley|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=19 November 2011|accessdate=19 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122103939/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96341|archive-date=22 November 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} At the start, Wittmann made the best start as Félix da Costa failed to get away from the line with a mechanical problem; he eventually did get started, but last. Behind them, Merhi made the best start and moved all the way up to fourth place on the first lap,{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96340|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|title=Marco Wittmann controls Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix qualification race|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=19 November 2011|accessdate=19 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122104124/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96340|archive-date=22 November 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} behind Wittmann, Nasr and Bottas. Further back, Fantin became the race's first retirement, crashing out heavily, but the safety car was not called for because his vehicle was recovered by a trackside crane.{{cite news|url=http://www.motorsport.com/f3/news/f3-wittmann-wins-qualification-race-at-macau-gp|first1=Lynne|last1=Waite|first2=Stella-Maria|last2=Thomas|title=Wittmann wins qualification race at Macau GP|work=Motorsport.com|publisher=GMM|date=19 November 2011|accessdate=19 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123100438/http://www.motorsport.com/f3/news/f3-wittmann-wins-qualification-race-at-macau-gp/|archive-date=23 November 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

Merhi slipstreamed onto the back of Bottas, and then outbraked him in the braking zone at Lisboa turn to move into third place, while further back, Muñoz pulled off circuit from eleventh place with mechanical issues. Also pulling off in the first half of the race were Yasuda via a trip to the pit lane, Félix da Costa, who was languishing at the back of the field after his stall, and Bradley after contact with Evans. Merhi then set his sights on Nasr, trying on two successive laps at Lisboa corner, before yellow flags halted his challenge for a time as Félix da Costa's car was recovered, and also due to the debris from the Bradley-Evans collision. The race's overtaking was curtailed on the eighth lap, as Eriksson put his Motopark car into the barriers at Police turn, and as such, the race ended under the safety car. Wittmann thus took victory and pole position for the Grand Prix itself, and would be joined on the front row by Nasr after holding off Merhi's advances. Merhi completed the podium, ahead of Bottas, who finished fourth ahead of Huertas, Juncadella, Vanthoor, Abt, Sato and van Asseldonk, the last quartet gaining positions after Asmer slowed.{{cite web|url=http://mstworld.com/msptresult.aspx?eventid=11012&circuitid=6&series=WTCC&venue=China&circuit=Macau&resultfile=fm35|title=SJM Macau Grand Prix – Qualification Race – Provisional Classification|date=19 November 2011|work=mstworld.com|publisher=MST Systems Ltd|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425231524/http://mstworld.com/msptresult.aspx?eventid=11012&circuitid=6&series=WTCC&venue=China&circuit=Macau&resultfile=fm35|archive-date=25 April 2012|url-status=dead|accessdate=19 November 2011|df=dmy-all}} Outside the top ten, Yamauchi finished eleventh ahead of Sekiguchi, Buller, Foresti, Stanaway, Lloyd, Jaafar, Asmer, Magnussen, Sainz, Rosenqvist and Evans rounded out the 22 classified finishers.

Prior to the start of the main race under cloudy but warm weather conditions at 15:30 local time on 20 November, Yasuda pulled into the pit lane with mechanical issues,{{cite news|url=http://www.motorsport.com/f3/news/f3-spaniard-juncadella-takes-surpise-macau-gp-win|first1=Lynne|last1=Waite|first2=Stella-Maria|last2=Thomas|title=Spaniard Juncadella takes surprise Macau GP win|work=Motorsport.com|publisher=GMM|date=20 November 2011|accessdate=20 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123022123/http://www.motorsport.com/f3/news/f3-spaniard-juncadella-takes-surpise-macau-gp-win|archive-date=23 November 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} and retired; reducing the field to 28 drivers as Eriksson failed to start the race after his crash during the Qualification Race. The front row of Wittmann and Nasr made decent starts but chaos ensued behind. Merhi stalled in third position, which caused the remainder of the field to scramble for any open spaces that were available to them. Vanthoor clipped the front of Merhi's car which sent him spinning across the track and eventually collected his teammate Abt, with both out on the spot. Merhi was not out of trouble for long as Stanaway rammed into the back of him, with Stanaway out on the spot and Merhi, who made it back to the pit lane, eventually retired with a damaged rear wing and suspension damage. Wittmann held the lead to Lisboa turn with Bottas, Juncadella and Nasr all in close proximity to the Signature driver's car. Fifth-placed Huertas was not so fortunate in making it round Lisboa corner unscathed, spinning in front of the pack, and pinning Sato in behind him.

Ultimately, the safety car was called for due to the extensive debris that was remaining on the pit straight. Racing resumed at the end of lap three, with Wittmann holding onto the lead from Bottas, despite pressure all the way to Lisboa turn from the pit straight. Juncadella and Nasr fell in behind, with Yamauchi completing the top five. Nasr moved ahead of Bottas by the end of the fourth lap, with Bottas not lasting much longer in the race. On the run to Lisboa corner, Nasr, Bottas and Juncadella were three-wide on the straight with Bottas braking the latest for Lisboa, but clipped the barrier on the outside of the corner, causing damage to the left side of his car, and retired from the race. Juncadella took advantage of Nasr being slightly slowed in the corner and moved into second place. Evans also exited the race with braking issues. Wittmann extended his lead to three seconds over Juncadella but that was nullified after Rosenqvist hit the barriers at Faraway turn.{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96360|title=Daniel Juncadella wins spectacular Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix|last=Noble|first=Jonathan|date=20 November 2011|work=Autosport|accessdate=20 November 2011|publisher=Haymarket Publications|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121184415/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96360|archive-date=21 November 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

{{quote box|quote="I was quite lucky with the safety car, and I didn't really expect to win, but this feeling is amazing. I still can't believe it. I think the key was doing what I heard from one guy before the start. He said the thing is to stay out of trouble on the first lap - so I did that. Yesterday I was thinking to attack a lot in the first moments, but staying out of trouble in tight moments was the key for winning this race. So when the second safety car came and I was second, I knew I had my chance. My top speed was really good today and I could overtake Marco [Wittmann]. But I had to really concentrate when I overtook him under braking, because I nearly crashed into the wall. I cannot believe how lucky I am to win this race. When I was in first place on that lap [when he took the lead], I had never made so many mistakes in my life. I was lucky that the guy in P2, I think it was [Yuhi] Sekiguchi, was not really a serious contender for the win. So I pushed really hard in the second sector and I made so many mistakes as I was shaking in the car, honestly. I tried to stay calm and concentrate on pushing a lot in the second sector, so Felipe [Nasr] could not get close to the slipstream. Then the safety car came out and it was all over. On the last lap with the safety car I have never cried that much in my life!"|source=Daniel Juncadella, after becoming the first Spaniard to win the Macau Grand Prix.{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96361|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|title=Daniel Juncadella stunned to win Macau Grand Prix|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=20 November 2011|accessdate=20 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121183733/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96361|archive-date=21 November 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}|width=40%|align=right}}

At the next restart, Wittmann did not hold the lead like he had done previously; such was the slipstream of the other cars, that Wittmann finished the tenth lap in fifth place.{{cite news|url=http://www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo/gp/58/news.php?kind=gp58&id=3864&lang=en|title=Juncadella Wins "SJM" Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix|work=macau.grandprix.gov.mo|publisher=Macau Grand Prix|accessdate=20 November 2011|date=20 November 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121220034901/http://www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo/gp/58/news.php?kind=gp58&id=3864&lang=en|archive-date=2012-12-20|url-status=dead}} Juncadella took the lead, with Sekiguchi moving into second place almost unnoticed, barging his way past Nasr into Lisboa corner, with van Asseldonk following close behind. Nasr eventually found his way back past Sekiguchi into second place, and after closing back in on van Asseldonk, Wittmann reeled off times in the 2:12 bracket even while passing the Hitech driver. Wittmann then set the fastest lap of the race on lap 13, while passing Sekiguchi for third place. Just like in the Qualification Race, the race was finished under neutralised safety car conditions after two separate incidents on lap 14. At the Mandarin, Yamauchi made an error after being passed by Foresti, and caused a chain reaction within the next few cars to approach the incident. Magnussen was trying to pass Buller, and went over the back over his car at {{convert|165|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, flying into the catch-fencing on the outside of the circuit, but escaped with just a left knee injury that was caused by him hitting it inside his cockpit.{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96364|first=Charles|last=Bradley|title=Kevin Magnussen glad to be alive after crashing into catchfencing in Macau F3 Grand Prix|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=20 November 2011|accessdate=20 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121171308/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96364|archive-date=21 November 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} Lloyd braked to avoid the incident but was hit from behind by Sainz; as a result, Lloyd was taken to the circuit's medical centre for a checkup. Sims was also involved, and retired as well.

As such, Juncadella held on to the end and became the first Spanish driver to win the Grand Prix. Juncadella's victory was also the first for an Italian team since Forti Corse won the 1988 race with Enrico Bertaggia.{{cite journal|last=Bradley|first=Charles|date=24 November 2011|title=Juncadella is a lucky fella|publisher=Haymarket Publications|volume=206|issue=8|pages=52–55|journal=Autosport}} Nasr held second to the end, holding off Wittmann's ever-increasing pressure that was eventually negated by the appearance of the safety car. Sekiguchi finished in fourth place ahead of van Asseldonk, both having been a part of the lead group during the race. Buller survived unscathed from the incident with Magnussen to finish in sixth place, teammate Foresti, also after a close call, was seventh ahead of Jaafar. The top ten was rounded out by Bradley and Fong, both of whom had started the race outside the top 20.{{cite web|url=http://mstworld.com/msptresult.aspx?eventid=11012&circuitid=6&series=WTCC&venue=China&circuit=Macau&resultfile=fm36|title=SJM Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix – Race classification|work=mstworld.com|publisher=MST Systems Ltd|date=20 November 2011|accessdate=20 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425231534/http://mstworld.com/msptresult.aspx?eventid=11012&circuitid=6&series=WTCC&venue=China&circuit=Macau&resultfile=fm36|archive-date=2012-04-25|url-status=dead}} Outside the top ten, Fantin finished eleventh having moved up eighteen from his start position, and finished ahead of Sato, with Huertas 13th ahead of Magnussen, Yamauchi, Lloyd, Sainz, Sims and Asmer, the six drivers who retired in the closing stages, and the sextet rounded out the 19 classified finishers.

;Notes:

:1.{{Note|1}} – Roberto Merhi was dropped seven places on the grid for causing a collision with Felix Rosenqvist.

:2.{{Note|2}} – Kevin Magnussen started at the back of the grid, after ignoring yellow flags during first qualifying.

:3.{{Note|3}} – Felix Rosenqvist started at the back of the grid, behind Kevin Magnussen, after overtaking under yellow flags and an incident in free practice.

:4.{{Note|4}} – Carlos Muñoz, Laurens Vanthoor, Carlos Sainz Jr., Marko Asmer and Daniel Juncadella were given three-place grid penalties for the qualification race, for illegally crossing the pit lane exit line.

:5.{{Note|5}} – Hironobu Yasuda was penalised six places for illegally crossing the pit lane exit line twice.

:6.{{Note|6}} – Despite not setting a qualifying time within 110% of polesitter Marco Wittmann's time, Jimmy Eriksson and Mitch Evans were allowed to race at the stewards' discretion.

{{Reflist}}

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