Mortara eager to avenge Macau defeat

The Italian had a difficult time in GP2 this year, despite winning one race, and says that his options will remain limited unless he can triumph in the prestigious Macau event.

Having been one of the quickest drivers on the first day of action, Mortara says his sole focus is on delivering on the all-important race day - rather than going for glory early on.

"This weekend is good for me because I can show what I am capable of when I am sitting in a competitive car," Mortara told AUTOSPORT.

"This year [in GP2], I was really struggling and at the beginning it was not so bad. I won a race, and I was competitive - doing some really great races. But I was never able to qualify in front and I was feeling very well with the car.

"The car, for me, was on some circuits really undriveable, and I could not show what I was capable of. It was a bit frustrating, because I like everyone at Arden. You always have some years like this. Unfortunately for me, it was in GP2.

"But I am here, and I am trying to show everybody that I am still the same man who took second in the F3 Euro Series and dominated in 2008 - beaten by TOM'S. I want to show that I am not completely stupid and I am still competitive."

Mortara says that after his GP2 campaign he is unsure of what his next step in racing is - but he hopes that a good showing in Macau will help open doors for him.

When asked if he had any plans for next year, Mortara said: "For the moment, not. When you have a terrible season like I had, which was up and down, and it really was not looking great at the end, then nobody is going to come to you.

"The only ones who know what I am capable of were Volkswagen and my Signature team, as we did a tremendous job last year. They called me and I said yes, no problem. And I am coming here to win Macau - hoping it will open me some opportunities if I do a good result. For me, the only good result I can have at this Macau is to win it."

And having missed out on the victory last year to TOM's driver Keisuke Kunimoto, despite being so strong in practice and qualifying, Mortara says there will be a different approach to the weekend this time out.

"Unfortunately [last year], in the final we did a small mistake. I think TOM'S were building up slowly to arrive on Sunday very strong, while we were pretty constant.

"On Sunday we did something that was not really the top, and I was struggling a lot more. We were really lucky to finish where we finished last year. But we have learned our lesson and I think this year is going to be better - at least in the final race."