SJM Theodore Racing by Prema’s Mick Schumacher has topped the opening FIA F3 World Cup free practice session with a late flying lap around the 6.12KM circuit.

The newly crowned FIA Formula 3 European Champion is no stranger to a fastest lap here in Macau, having set the quickest time during the final race on his maiden visit last year.

Now coming into the event as one of the favourites for this year’s coveted crown, Schumacher has delivered in the opening session with a 2:12.168s lap time.

Hear from Schumacher here:

With the track understandably green at this stage of proceedings, the benchmark was still more than two seconds faster than the opening running of 2017.

Schumacher’s old Theodore team-mate and last year’s Qualification Race winner, Callum Illot, left it even later to set his fastest lap as he moved into second when the chequered flag fell.

Returning to F3 action with Carlin, after racing in GP3 during the regular season, Illot could be a contender for overall honours here in Macau.

Motopark Academy occupied the next three positions on the timesheets with Juri Vips edging out stablemates Dan Ticktum and Joel Eriksson respectively.

Sacha Fenestraz triumphed in Pau earlier in the year – a street circuit with some similarity to Macau – and the Carlin racer shone here with sixth place in FP1.

Robert Shvartzman claimed the rookie title in Europe this year and he continued his good form with a solid seventh, ahead of Spaniard Alex Palou.

Dominant Japanese F3 Champion Tsuboi Sho took ninth, whilst Briton Jake Hughes rounded out the top ten.

All 28 cars will be back on track at 14:20 (local time) for the opening qualifying session – you can watch a live stream of every F3 and GT session here.

FIA F3 World Cup - Free Practice 1 Results