Vips takes dominant victory in Macau qualifying race

Red Bull junior Juri Vips went lights-to-flag en route to victory in Saturday's qualifying race for the Macau Grand Prix at the Guia Circuit, leading home Ferrari youngster Robert Shwartzman.

After taking pole by three-tenths of a second with a new track record on Friday, Hitech Grand Prix's Vips managed to retain his advantage throughout the 10-lap race, controlling proceedings off the line and at the restart following an early Safety Car period.

A first-lap pile-up set back a number of notable names, including two-time Macau winner Dan Ticktum, who is set to start from the rear of the grid on Sunday along with Jake Hughes and Arjun Maini.

Vips was able to keep his composure at the front and keep FIA Formula 3 champion Shwartzman out of DRS range, eventually crossing the line 1.5 seconds clear of the Prema driver to capture the qualifying race win.

"I wouldn't say I dominated because Shwartzman caught up a little bit at the end. To be honest, I don't know if he had a margin as well, but I definitely had a little bit of a margin between me and the wall," Vips said after the race.

“I know that in this race, it is more important to just finish it and not put it in the wall. The full attack will be tomorrow."

Vips and Shwartzman were followed home by Renault youngster Christian Lundgaard, while Richard Verschoor took fourth after a late pass on Formula 2 driver Callum Ilott, who was left to settle for fifth place.

The Macau Grand Prix takes place at 0830 GMT on Sunday.