SJM Prema Theodore Racing’s Marcus Armstrong set the pace in the opening free practice session for the FIA F3 World Cup in Macau earlier today (14 November).

The New Zealander topped the times ahead of British duo Jake Hughes and reigning champion Daniel Ticktum, as the latest specification Formula 3 car made its first appearance around the legendary Guia street circuit.

HWA Racelab’s Hughes was just 0.119s shy of Armstrong’s 2:08.023s benchmark lap time, whilst Carlin Buzz Racing’s Ticktum was a further two tenths back.

Newly crowned FIA Formula 3 Champion Robert Shwartzman was next on the timesheets, with Richard Verschoor fifth overall for MP Motorsport.

Callum Ilott – making his fifth appearance at Macau – showed his hand for Sauber Junior Team by Charouz with the sixth fastest time.

The Ferrari junior driver has been contesting the FIA Formula 2 Championship during the regular season, so this morning’s opening practice session provided the Englishman with his first experience of the new F3 car.

Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda became the first driver to make significant contact with the iconic Macau barriers, as the Red Bull-backed racer lost control of his Hitech Grand Prix car.

His Hitech team have since been working on the car to repair it in time for Qualifying 1 of the FIA F3 World Cup, which takes place at 14:30 (local time) later today.

You can watch LIVE streaming of every session of the FIA F3 World Cup and FIA GT World Cup here.