The prestigious event has long been the blue riband Formula 3 encounter, ever since it was first introduced back in 1983, and is proven as a must-do contest for burgeoning drivers aiming for Formula 1.

Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher are among an illustrious list of drivers to have triumphed in Macau on their way to F1, and this latest edition of the famous race is again set to attract the best young talents from around the world.

Whilst the headlining F3 race has always been renowned for its drama and high calibre racing, last year proved to be one of the most exciting and memorable in the event’s history.

A quite incredible finale saw Briton’s Dan Ticktum claim victory, having only taken the lead on the very last corner of the race after Ferdinand Habsburg and Sérgio Sette Câmara clashed at the head of the field.

Lando Norris – recently announced as a McLaren race driver for the 2019 FIA Formula One World Championship – finished the 2017 FIA F3 World Cup in second position.

Whilst Norris has made a rapid ascent to the highest echelons of motorsport, victory at Macau for Ticktum also proved a huge springboard for his career. The British driver has been in fine form this year, currently leading the FIA Formula 3 European Championship with just six races of the 30-race calendar remaining.

Similarly, Mick Schumacher – son of seven-time World Champion Michael – is enjoying a breakout campaign after his own eye-catching performance around the notoriously challenging Guia street circuit in 2017. The 19-year-old showed real potential at Macau, setting the fastest lap overall in a sparkling recovery drive, and he’s since gone on to on star at the highest F3 level in Europe.

Six victories in the last ten FIA Formula 3 European Championship races have put Schumacher firmly in contention for honours, as he now trails Ticktum by just three points at the summit of the standings.

While we wait to see who enters the 2018 FIA F3 World Cup there is little doubt that it will be a star-studded 28-car line-up gunning for glory.

The Macau Grand Prix will look to build on its successes over the past three years, with an incredible level of access once again available via a livestreaming service across the FIA’s website and social media channels. This was comes in addition to the global television coverage that the famous event receives, ensuring more people than ever can tune in to watch one of the most exciting motor sport events in the world.

The race format will remain unchanged, with a 40-minute practice session and a 40-minute qualifying session on both Thursday and Friday. There will be a ten-lap qualification race on Saturday followed by the 15-lap FIA F3 World Cup, which will take place on the Sunday afternoon.

The entry process is open from today, 10 September and will close on 20 September, after which time the FIA will publish the list of competitors for the 2018 FIA F3 World Cup.