Verschoor defeats Vips for Macau GP victory

Richard Verschoor took victory in Sunday's Macau Grand Prix at the first attempt after defeating pole-sitter Juri Vips in a race-long battle at the Guia Circuit.

Starting fourth on the grid, former Red Bull junior Verschoor rose to second on the opening lap, going wheel-to-wheel with Christian Lundgaard and FIA Formula 3 champion Robert Shwartzman on the run to Lisboa.

Shwartzman was forced to retire on the opening lap after contact with Lundgaard, leaving Vips to retain his advantage over Verschoor until a Safety Car was called on Lap 4 following a crash for Ferdinand Habsburg.

Verschoor managed to perfect the restart four laps later to tuck into Vips' slipstream and make a pass around the outside into Lisboa before opening a slender advantage over the Red Bull youngster.

Vips closed up on Verschoor following a Virtual Safety Car period called for Sophia Floersch's stricken car on the main straight, leaving him within striking distance entering the final three laps.

But despite Vips' attempts on the run to Lisboa and with the aid of DRS, Verschoor was able to hold on and clinch victory for MP Motorsport on debut at Macau.

Vips crossed the line second ahead of Logan Sargeant, who rose to third after a scrap with Renault junior Lundgaard, who was left to settle for fourth place.

Alessio Lorandi finished fifth ahead of Callum Ilott, while New Zealanders Liam Lawson and Marcus Armstrong took seventh and eighth place respectively. David Beckmann and Frederik Vesti completed the top 10.

Two-time Macau winner Dan Ticktum finished 13th after starting 26th, but missed out on the chance to become the first driver to take three straight victories at the Guia Circuit.