Venetian Macau Sponsors Chinese FIA WTCC Racer - Ma Qinghua

The Venetian Macau has sponsored a rising star in the car racing scene, Ma Qinghua.

Ma, who will be wearing The Venetian Macau logo on his racing helmet and suit, will race on behalf of the Citroën Total WTCC team in the 2014 FIA WTCC (World Touring Car Championship) in Beijing 4-5 October, Shanghai 11-12 October, and lastly in Macau at the 61st Macau Grand Prix 14-16 November this year.

“The Venetian Macau is very proud to sponsor Ma Qinghua,” said Olaf Gueldner, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Sands China. “China’s next sports hero, joining the ranks of athletes like China’s favourite boxer Zou Shiming, who we’ve been honoured to support in his transition from amateur to professional fighter. For our company, it’s really important to help develop and promote Chinese athletes around the world, and we’re so glad to be able to extend that support to Ma.”

Ma, a 26-year-old Shanghai-born racer, made history on 8 June 2014 in Volokolamsk, Russia by becoming the first-ever Chinese-born driver to win an FIA World Championship race, when he won race two of the 2014 FIA WTCC Race of Russia.

Ma’s appearance on the street circuit in Macau 14-16 November will mark his Macau Grand Prix debut.

“I am honoured to be supported by such a highly-acclaimed integrated resort,” said Ma.” With the support of The Venetian Macau, I am able to participate in a world-renowned car racing event. This is not only a rare experience in my career, but also a good chance to show fans in mainland China what car racing is like in Macau.”

Inaugurated in 1987, the FIA WTCC is a global race series sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and attracts a vast following – trackside and through all forms of media. The 2014 championship kicked off 12 April in Marrakesh, Morocco and will end in Macau at the annual Grand Prix event on 16 November.