2025 Macau Grand Prix: Grassroots Formula in the spotlight

Written by Lorenzo Baer

With two junior formulae categories on its schedule, Macau promises to be a showcase for young talents in world motorsport | Credit: MGPOC

The Macau Grand Prix has always been a true test of nerves and skill. A street circuit that punishes hesitation, rewards precision and gives eternal glory to its winner. This year, the Macau GP weekend shines on the junior formula scenario, valuing more than ever the sport’s next generation of drivers through two world-class categories – the FIA Formula Regional World Cup and the FIA Formula 4 World Cup.

Over its 3.85 mi (6.2 km) of unforgiving tarmac, the world’s best young drivers will take on Macau's own hopefuls, all fighting to master the tricky bends and fast sweeps of the Guia Circuit. It’s a place where confidence counts for as much as speed, and where reputations are born or crushed in each new corner.

In the FIA Formula Regional World Cup, 27 drivers will compete in the weekend's feature race, which bears the name and title of Macau Grand Prix. All of them certainly have their eyes set on the coveted trophy, which has already been stamped by names such as Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna and Riccardo Patrese. 

Not far behind this goal are the 20 other drivers who will compete in the FIA Formula 4 World Cup, the event which will be the great novelty for the 2025 GP. Although perhaps overshadowed by this year's highly anticipated Formula Regional race, it is undeniable that the F4 meeting will offer the public another interesting attraction over the weekend, bringing together some of the leading names that have emerged in the discipline this season. 

In the end, even if you have a greater interest in Formula Regional or F4, it is undeniable that talent will not be lacking in the streets of Macau. So, check below a list of the main names to keep an eye on in the two single-seater races this weekend.

FIA Formula Regional World Cup

Freddie Slater

The name of the moment in the junior formulae categories, Freddie Slater appears as the big favorite for the 2025 Macau GP | Credit: ACI Sport

It is undeniable that most eyes in the Formula Regional event will be on Freddie Slater, one of the most promising young names in international single-seaters. With an enviable CV, which includes titles in the Ginetta Junior Championship in 2023, Italian and UAE F4 tournaments in 2024 and FRECA in 2025, it seems that a victory in Macau would be an important addition to the driver's ever-growing list of successes in the junior formula categories.

This will be Slater's third appearance at the Guia circuit, having raced there in 2023 (when the race was part of F4 South East Asia) and 2024 (already in the Formula Regional format), with his best result being a second in one of the heats of the 2023 event. The driver will represent the colours of PREMA, which has once again teamed up with the traditional Hong Kong-based SJM Theodore team to compete in the race.

Mattia Colnaghi

One of the Red Bull Junior Team’s most interesting prospects, Mattia Colnaghi is tipped as one of the favorites for this weekend's race | Credit: Spanish F4

Another rising star on the European scene and a name to remember in Macao is Italian-Argentinian driver Mattia Colnaghi, who is also riding high on a string of excellent results. First, he won the Spanish F4 title in 2024, followed by a second place in the Eurocup-3 Winter plus a new title in the ‘real’ Eurocup-3, both in 2025. 

2025 will represent Colnaghi's second shot in Macau, after a discreet appearance in 2024, in which the driver finished in a lacklustre 14th position. However, the driver's current momentum, coupled with a change of team since the last edition (with the driver switching from MP Motorsport to PHM Racing for the race) could mean new chances for the Italian-Argentinian on the debut streets of the Guia circuit.

Enzo Deligny

One of the drivers that will join the F3 ranks in 2026, Deligny is a name to watch in Macau | Credit: ACI Sport

The absence of a grassroots title in a driver's career can be a stain on the goal of reaching higher heights in world motorsport. However, in the case of Enzo Deligny, this may not mean much, as the driver has been demonstrating that consistency can also be an attraction in the sport. Despite some ups and downs, the driver achieved solid results in 2025, with a fifth place overall in the Formula Regional Middle East Championship (FRMEC) and an excellent third in the competitive FRECA. 

This will be Deligny’s second appearance in Macau, with the driver securing a reasonable fourth place in the 2024 edition. Certainly, another solid result at the venue would be welcome from a sporting and personal points-of-view, especially in view of the driver's future in the sport, who in 2026 will face a major challenge as part of PREMA’s squad in F3. 

Mari Boya

A veteran of grassroots formula categories, Boya aims to close out 2025 in style with a victory in the GP | Credit: Campos Racing

Perhaps the most experienced name in the Formula Regional field in Macau, Spaniard Mari Boya needs no introduction: multi-winner in various karting categories Boya has had some ups and downs in recent seasons, but that has never dampened his competitive spirit. The 2025 season marked the driver's resurgence, with Boya fighting until the final stages for the FIA Formula 3 title. 

Third place in the overall category standings was perhaps not the result the driver had hoped for, but he is now focusing on Macau, a circuit where he will be making his third appearance. Two consistent results in previous editions of the race (2023, 4th place; 2024, 7th place) may be the ideal starting point for a driver who seems more inspired than ever to fight for victory.

FIA Formula 4 World Cup

Kean Nakamura-Berta

After a storming 2025 F4 season, can Nakamura-Berta add another triumph to its records in the streets of Macau? | Credit: ACI Sport

The newly crowned Italian F4 champion enters Macao as one of the favourites for the F4 race. A member of the powerhouse PREMA team, Nakamura-Berta has established himself over the past two years as one of the most promising drivers of his generation, achieving a solid string of results that include the second place in the F4 UAE in 2024 and the Italian F4 and E4 titles, both in 2025.

This will be the nippon-Slovakian driver's first time on the streets of Macau, with expectations that Nakamura will be able to demonstrate his speed and precision in yet another main stage of the junior formula sport.

Fionn McLaughlin

The 2025 British F4 title catapulted McLaughlin to new heights, with huge expectations surrounding the Irish driver for the coming years | Credit: Hitech GP

Another driver making his first appearance on the Guia circuit is Fionn McLaughlin, one of the most interesting prospects to emerge in 2025. In his first season in F4, the driver made an impressive mark, finishing third in the Formula Winter Series (one of F4 inter-season tournaments), as well as taking the title of the 2025 British F4 Championship in resounding fashion. 

Another stunning performance would be welcome for the young Red Bull Junior Team talent, who already has his sights set on the 2026 season, when the driver expects to make his debut in FIA Formula 3 Championship.

Emanuele Olivieri

Olivieri will don the colours of R-ace GP during the event in Macau | Credit: F4 MEC

Coming from a family that has speed in its DNA (Olivieri is the godson of endurance legend Rinaldo Capello), Emanuele Olivieri is regarded as one of the most promising Italian drivers for the coming years. Despite a disappointing seventh place in Italian F4, the 17-year-old Olivieri is not a name to be dismissed in the World Cup. 

The Italian showed great speed and consistency at the beginning of the year, elements that earned him the F4 Middle East title in early 2025. Macau appears to be a perfect opportunity for the Italian to regain his form, demonstrating his skills on one of the most technical tracks in world sport.