Jules Roussel made more motor sport history in Macau by winning an all-action inaugural FIA F4 World Cup showdown that highlighted the pace and potential of the next generation of drivers from across the globe.

The exciting new addition to the Macau Grand Prix schedule provided a gilt-edged opportunity for emerging prospects to gain knowledge of the iconic yet demanding 6.120-kilometre Guia Circuit early in their single-seater careers – and delivered two spectacular races.

It was also a chance for the young hopefuls to experience Macau’s legendary street track ahead of stepping up to the FIA FR World Cup in future seasons as part of the sport’s global development pathway.

Nineteen drivers were selected to take part by the FIA, the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide. It took into account individual performances in rounds of Formula 4 (F4) Championships Certified by the FIA during 2025 or separate submissions.

The same-specification Ligier F4 cars were centrally run by Mintimes, the organiser of the Chinese F4 Championship, with the support of a 40-strong team of student engineers and mechanics from the Fédération Française du Sport Automobile’s FFSA Academy. This created the ultimate level playing field and allowed the young drivers to be fully focused on demonstrating their potential with many contesting an international event for the first time.

How Jules Roussel won the FIA F4 World Cup
French racer Roussel got the perfect start to lead pole-sitter Emanuele Olivieri through the first turn. Although Roussel briefly trailed Rayan Caretti after his compatriot pulled off a fine overtaking move at Lisboa Bend on the fourth lap, the 19-year-old was back ahead before the Mandarin kink on lap eight as the thrilling battle for victory intensified.

Roussel was still leading when Caretti crashed at the Solitude Esses later in the lap to trigger a second safety car intervention. Despite the best efforts of the volunteer trackside marshals to clear Caretti’s stricken car as quickly as possible, the race concluded under safety car conditions with Qualification Race winner Olivieri finishing second and Rintaro Sato taking third from 11th on the grid.

French F4 runner-up Roussel was in front when the safety car was deployed on lap one after Shimo Zhang spun and collected Itsuki Sato exiting Mandarin before Kyuho Lee hit the tyre barriers at Lisboa.

Racing resumed on lap three with Sato making rapid progress by demoting Kimi Yu Tsai Chan for fifth as Caretti increased the pressure on Roussel in the battle for first.

Caretti, who started the Qualification Race from 15th on the grid, completed a clean passing move on Roussel at Lisboa on lap four but Roussel was back ahead on lap eight after Caretti held him off as they braked for Lisboa during the previous tour. But with Caretti crashing and the race running out of laps for the action to resume, Roussel’s path to victory was all but guaranteed.

Behind Japanese driver Sato, American Sebastian Wheldon – who started the Qualification Race from pole position only to crash out on lap one – came through from 15th to finish fourth ahead of Indian Ary Bansal, Briton Thomas Bearman, Hong Kong racer Chan, Man Hei Cheong from Macau and Argentine Gino Trappa.

British F4 champion Fionn McLaughlin took the chequered flag in sixth position but a 30-secon penalty for not being in his correct grid position by the time he reached the designated line during the formation lap dropped the Irishman down the order.

Jules Roussel said: “It’s the best race of my life in terms of experience and the result and I see it only as a positive to win this race. We take the opportunity and now I’m a winner in Macau, it’s one of my dreams. It was a very tricky race with lots of changes of position, so I’m very grateful and happy to win. It was quite a big battle with Rayan, there were some calculated risks, but I could stay in front. I’ve been able to learn a lot against the best F4 drivers in the world, the level was very high and I hope this result can help me with a drive for next year.”

Relive the 2025 FIA F4 World Cup by clicking HERE. Keep visiting FIA.com for more Macau Grand Prix news and features. The Macau Grand Prix, which also features the FIA FR World Cup, FIA GT World Cup and deciding rounds of the Kumho FIA GT World Tour, takes place from 19-22 November.