“It was a great win,” said di Grassi, “If it hadn’t been for the safety car, then I don’t think I would have been able to respond to Robert, but I took my chance and I am obviously very happy. The race here isn’t necessarily won by the driver with the fastest car, but by the one who’s got the best strategy.
”I’ve been waiting for this for the entire season. This is the best day of my career, particularly as I came out on top against the best F3 drivers in the world. ”
Sebastien Vettel, having jumped into fifth at the start, survived his Macau debut intact to claim the final podium spot, ahead of new Japanese series champion Joao Paolo de Oliveira and
Kazuki Nakajima. The German was comfortably ahead of his pursuers at the flag, with de Oliveira three seconds adrift and Nakajima, the son on former
F1 pilot Satoru, a further 1.6secs back, and, although he couldn't close in on the leaders, Vettel - making his AMS debut ahead of an expected Euroseries campaign next year, secured a solid third place, the first for Germany in Macau since Ralf Schumacher’s win ten years ago
“This third place is the result of four days of hard work and I’m really content," the Euroseries rookie of the year said, "In spite of the mulled qualifying session, I never gave up, and that paid off today. I’m happy with both the result and my first appearance for my new team.”
Duval's penalty dropped him well down the order, but the Frenchman responded by setting a pace few could match on similarly clear laps. After setting the fastest tour of the race on lap nine, the other ASM recruit was slowed by the safety car, but had done enough to recover to sixth place by the flag.
“I had the chance of winning the race but messed it up," a contrite Frenchman admitted, "At the start, I slipped off the brake, just for a short moment, but the drive-thru penalty was justified. It’s a major disappointment.”
