Sophia Floersch makes Macau return

German superstar Sophia Floersch finally announced she will make her awaited return to the legendary Macau track, one year from her terrifying crash.

HWA Racelab was among the few FIA F3 teams not to have released its full line-up for the upcoming Suncity Group Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix. Today, the German team finally announced that its third seat will go to Sophia Floersch.

The 18-year old lady always looked like the best bet for the HWA seat, but financial hurdles had to be overcome before both parties could make the official announcement.

The Macau Grand Prix is one of the most prestigious racing events on the calendar for fans and drivers alike and this edition's big story will undoubtedly be linked to one of the greatest sporting comebacks: Floersch will in fact make her return to the place where one year ago she miraculously survived one of the biggest motorsport accidents of the last decade. Images of the Van Amersfoort #25 formula 3 car going over the catch fence and into a photographers' grandstand at 270 kph have been seen all around the world since that frightening day.

Floersch underwent a long surgery to fix a spinal fracture and came back into the car less than 4 months later. She fully recovered and contested the inaugural season of the Formula Regional European Championship, finishing 7th in the standings with two fourth place finishes as best career results in Formula 3 machinery.

“I’m delighted to be driving in Macau again." - said Floersch, following the announcement.

"It was my first race there last year. Until my accident it was the most amazing event I had ever contested. The track is incredible! It is so much fun to drive. It’s incredible in a Formula 3 car, I had a smile on my face every lap."

"After the accident, I knew I definitely wanted to return to racing and to return to Macau! The fact that I achieved that this year already shows that you can make your dreams come true when you believe in yourself and work hard at them.”

Floersch tested the HWA FIA Formula 3 car in Valencia last week for the first time.

The very rainy weather conditions hampered the sessions, but the German lady managed to finish 20th in a 30 cars field, after running as high as 16th in the morning session. She was P27 in the afternoon.

HWA has been supporting Floersch's career for some time now, and Sophia is strongly linked to a full-time switch to the FIA Formula 3 from 2020.

This year's edition will mark the first entry for the HWA Racelab at the Macau Grand Prix, as the German operation will also line up Brit Jake Hughes and Iranian Keyvan Andres alongside Sophia Floersch.

The race, which counts among its winners names of the likes of Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Riccardo Patrese, David Coulthard and Ralf Schumacher, will take place on the 6.120 km long Guia Street circuit on 16th-17th November.

In Sophia's words:

"After the accident, I knew I definitely wanted to return to racing and to return to Macau!"

Ph credits: HWA Racelab