Felix Rosenqvist, Antonio Felix da Costa and Dani Juncadella have won four of the last five Macau Grands Prix, and all three will be competing once again in 2016. The trio have raced together in a variety of championships over the last few years and have a healthy rivalry and friendship, and in the run up to the event they’ve been trying to psych each other out.
2014 and ’15 Macau winner Rosenqvist seemed to fire the first shots with this tough poll:
Who do you think will crash first during the Macau Grand Prix weekend?
— Felix Rosenqvist (@FRosenqvist) October 11, 2016
That was always going to go one way, but being put in the same category as Maldonado is insult enough!
2011 winner Juncadella enjoyed it though:
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/sQCL3zWqvE
— Dani Juncadella (@dani_juncadella) October 11, 2016
Things went quiet for a little while, but a couple of weeks later da Costa (who won in 2012) was confirmed for the race, and that’s when things ramped up.
A couple of test days were organised at the Red Bull Ring for the three drivers, and it looks like they had some fun…
When you find your @DTM friend on track while testing F3 @dani_juncadella pic.twitter.com/1SUH6paLeP
— Anton Felix da Costa (@afelixdacosta) October 25, 2016
Juncadella gave as good as he got:
Hi! @afelixdacosta 🖕🏽😂 pic.twitter.com/VaaG7jsbOp
— Dani Juncadella (@dani_juncadella) October 25, 2016
Da Costa gave Rosenqvist a ‘wave’ when the Swede went off:
Also saw @FRosenqvist on track pic.twitter.com/YIJkKxHnj3
— Anton Felix da Costa (@afelixdacosta) October 25, 2016
And of course Rosenqvist ‘waved’ back:
@afelixdacosta love you too pic.twitter.com/o8fT4S3hQd
— Felix Rosenqvist (@FRosenqvist) October 25, 2016
Formula E driver Daniel Abt felt left out:
Hey @FRosenqvist @dani_juncadella @afelixdacosta can I be part of your gang? #lovethebanter pic.twitter.com/Xd3yoV1nh1
— Daniel Abt (@Daniel_Abt) October 26, 2016
The test came to an end, but the banter did not. First there was this innocuous photo from a press conference:
5 Macau wins in one picture! @alexlynnracing only you missing this year dude! pic.twitter.com/yLGxSeVo9O
— Anton Felix da Costa (@afelixdacosta) October 26, 2016
Alex Lynn knows he’s missing out:
@afelixdacosta I am jealous of you guys having all the fun 😭
— Alex Lynn (@alexlynnracing) October 26, 2016
Meanwhile, Dani Juncadella unleashed a devastating blow towards Felix Rosenqvist:
When you at a press-conference but you’d rather be at Burger King. @FRosenqvist pic.twitter.com/ijY0kASrZI
— Dani Juncadella (@dani_juncadella) October 26, 2016
Ouch. Rosenqvist fought back immediately:
When you let go a massive fart at the press conference, and hope no one notices. @dani_juncadella pic.twitter.com/n3EQVpzf3E
— Felix Rosenqvist (@FRosenqvist) October 26, 2016
Good, but not good enough, and Felix knew it. He had to go deeper.
Will karma be on your side @dani_juncadella? 😉 #Payback #NeverForget #2012 #Throwback pic.twitter.com/VyiWEJs9D7
— Felix Rosenqvist (@FRosenqvist) October 26, 2016
Casually bringing up an incident that happened four years ago? Damn, racing drivers never forget!
It was Dani that had the ominous last words…for now:
Good that you look at the past since you won’t like the future… 🤓😏#ItsComing https://t.co/ndERhdojs5
— Dani Juncadella (@dani_juncadella) October 26, 2016
Three drivers from three different countries having a hilarious bit of back-and-forth on Twitter as they prepare for one of the biggest races of the year? THIS is what social media is all about!
The 2016 Macau GP takes place on the 20th of November. All eyes on these guys!