Jonathan Kennard Macau preview

Kennard ready to take on the world at Macau Grand Prix

British racing driver Jonathan Kennard will be one of thirty Formula 3 drivers travelling to China this month for the blue riband Macau F3 Grand Prix - the FIA Formula 3 Intercontinental Cup.

Kennard, 21, showed glimpses of brilliance in his maiden year of racing in the Championship class of the British Formula 3 International Series, and will travel to the Far East with the Alan Docking Racing team that took him to 12th in his debut season.

The Macau event has become a classic, having been won in the past by Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, David Coulthard and Takuma Sato, all of whom used the victory to catapult themselves into Formula 1.

Thanks to the street circuit's fearsomely technical nature and unforgiving reputation, it has become the one F3 race that all drivers in the category want to win above all others.

'This race doesn't just have Eastern promise,' declared Kennard, one of nine drivers from the 2006 British F3 field to make the trip to China. 'It's a legendary event and if you can add it to your CV, it stands you in very good stead.'

'Clearly, it's going to be among the toughest races of my season, if not the toughest. But I had my best performances this year on another circuit that demands the very best from you as a driver - Spa - so I am feeling good about taking on the immense challenge the Macau track presents. I reckon I work best when the heat is on, and it definitely will be out there.'

'It is a well respected race but also an enormous challenge for any driver,' admitted Kennard. 'I know the ADR team very well and I work well with them. I'm very confident we can set the car up well enough to really trouble those top runners.'

After practice and qualifying runs on the ultra-tight street circuit on November 16 & 17, Kennard will compete in a qualification race on Saturday, November 18, while the grand final is on Sunday, November 19 at 3.30pm local time.

-credit: jonathankennard.com