Image: Supplied.

The Macau Grand Prix saw FHO Racing’s Josh Brookes make solid progress across the event and ultimately finish his maiden outing at the Guia Circuit in a commendable fourth place.

2023 marked the 55th edition of the coveted street race, and despite not having a great amount of time to learn the track, Brookes qualified 13th on the grid.

The Australian made a great start and was in the leading group, moving into the podium places in P3. Improving his lap times, Brookes ultimately took the checkers in P4 to conclude his Macau debut.

“I’m really quite happy with fourth, considering it’s my first time here,” says Brookes. “When we lost some time in qualifying it lowered my expectation on how far I could improve, which I purely think is just circuit time that I need to further improve.

“In the race it’s a completely different atmosphere, which suits me better, I’m accustomed to racing and not just riding around, so I felt like I improved more in the race.

“But I think it all comes down to laps and familiarisation with the circuit. I got two good starts and managed to make up places, then some people dropped out of the race, which I would say gave me a few positions.

“But I held my pace in the race and finished fourth, so I’m happy enough. Of course, it would have been fantastic for the team if I had finished on the podium, but it wasn’t to be. So, you have to be happy with fourth and that we’re going home safe.”

The Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix was ultimately won by Brookes’ teammate, Peter Hickman, taking a 27s victory which marked his fourth at the iconic event.