Mortara eyes historic second win

The Italian triumphed in Macau last year to get his career back on track after a troubled campaign in GP2. And, after returning to the F3 Euro Series for this season, he duly clinched the title for his Signature team.

He had no hesitation in agreeing to return to Macau and take on the challenge of becoming the first man, since the GP became an F3 race in 1983, to win it twice.

"It is always nice to come here and race in Macau," Mortara told AUTOSPORT during preparations on Wednesday.

"I think for me it is the most beautiful track in the world and, to have the opportunity to come back and race again, is a great opportunity for me, and nice for me to try and get my title back.

"This year as always there is a good competition so it is going to be really fun."

When asked if he felt it was a bit of a gamble coming back to Macau as it would be hard for him to match his success from 12 months ago, he said: "Not really. It is not really a gamble, I already won but, at the end of the day, it is just to have fun coming back here.

"There is no pressure, no big gambles. I am going to try and win for sure, but that is not what I am coming back for."

Mortara thinks it too early in the weekend to judge who his main rivals will be - with the potential of the British outfits and TOM'S on the Guia circuit always hard to predict.

"I am pretty confident," said Mortara. "I know we have a good car and I know pretty well this circuit, so we are going to see.

"I don't really know which ones will be more competitive, but definitely my team-mates because I think we have a pretty good car. I will have to look at them, and then the Carlin drivers, the TOM'S drivers, and Prema drivers. I cannot really tell you which ones yet."

Prior to Macau switching to F3, back-to-back winners were not uncommon - with Geoff Lees accomplishing that feat in 1979 and 1980, while Riccardo Patrese did it in 1977 and 1978.