Reigning Fanatec GT Asia champ Ye amongst Porsche’s five-strong Macau line-up

Reigning Fanatec GT Asia champ Ye amongst Porsche’s five-strong Macau line-up

2024 Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia Powered by AWS champion Leo Ye Hongli has been selected to represent Porsche at the FIA GT World Cup in Macau next month.

The Chinese driver won the Silver class at the same event in 2023, and remains with the same Origine Motorsport team with whom he clinched Fanatec GT Asia’s drivers’ crown alongside Bob Yuan in Shanghai last month – exploits that also helped Origine retain its teams’ title.

Ye’s 911 features a similar green and white livery to the one he raced across Asia this season, albeit with the addition of gold chequers.

“We performed strongly at Macau last year and I have plenty of experience at the Guia Circuit,” he said. “I’m working hard to improve and hopefully we can pick up a strong result if everything goes smoothly.”

Origine is also running a second 911 GT3 R in the familiar purple and black colours it used throughout 2024. Former DTM champion and works Porsche driver Thomas Preining will use it to make his second appearance at Macau.

Another Fanatec GT Asia regular, Absolute Racing, also has two cars at its disposal. The first features 2024 drivers’ championship runner-up Alessio Picariello, who has raced at Macau several times before, while fellow Belgian Laurens Vanthoor is hoping to add a second FIA GT World Cup title to his CV in the team’s other entry after last winning in 2016.

Newly crowned GTD Pro IMSA Champion Laurin Heinrich completes Porsche’s contingent in the sole Schumacher CLRT entry.

“Macau is one of the highlights of the year, not just in Asian motorsport, but in the entire sport,” said Managing Director Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Ltd, Alexandre Gibot. “We’re delighted to be returning to the famous FIA GT World Cup with a very strong quintet of cars. We’ve got three excellent teams and five world class drivers taking on the event, so we’re looking to compete for the podium and victory at the world-renowned Guia Circuit. 

“In the Greater Bay Area GT Cup, we are really looking forward to a strong showing from our three GT4 entrants, and to have the Porsche Junior Alessandro Ghiretti make his Macau debut is very exciting. I can’t wait to head out there and to experience this incredible atmosphere once again!”

The FIA GT World Cup takes place on November 15-17.