Thirty-one-year-old GT star Maro Engel has lapped more iconic circuits than a racing simulator.

This year, Engel was the winner of The 24 Hours Nürburgring. Setting pole and then clutching victory in the Nordschleife endurance test’s final moments, the Mercedes AMG Works driver demonstrated he is at the zenith of international GT racing.

He has also been announced as a driver for the Venturi team in the 2016-17 season of the FIA Formula E Championship.

Winner of the inaugural FIA GT World Cup in Macau in 2015, the Macau Grand Prix GT Cup in 2014 and narrowly missing victory in 2013, Engel is an outspoken fan of the Macau Grand Prix.

Planning to defend his FIA GT World Cup title in 2016, Engel explains why the only full FIA-sanctioned GT3 event of the year deserves a prominent place on the calendars of motorsport fans.

1. THE GUIA CIRCUIT

A 6.1-kilometre city street track as narrow as seven metres in parts, Macau’s Guia circuit is renowned as one of the most challenging in the world: a challenge Maro Engel relishes.

“It’s the rhythm of the track that makes it so special,” says Maro.

“Ayrton Senna replied to the question of ‘what’s your favourite track’ with ‘Macau’. It simply is an incredible place. There isn’t another street circuit like it.

“There are three tracks in the world that stand way above the rest: Macau, the Nürburgring Nordschleife and Bathurst. Macau is just one of those places where every driver wants to race and wants to win.

“You have this bottom part which is extremely fast; corners at 250km/h down at turns one and two. When you turn off at turn three, at the Lisboa corner, you go up the hill. Everything just narrows down; the walls come in on you.

“As you wind yourself around through the Solitude Esses and eventually to the Melco Hairpin the track gets incredibly narrow with quite slow speed corners, which are nevertheless hugely challenging because you’re approaching them at high speed. There is no margin for error.

“It’s almost like having twice the Monaco Grand Prix circuit in terms of length and the distance you cover. It’s just a very, very special place.”

2. THE SHOWDOWN

The calibre of GT competition at Macau has been building over the last eight years to what is now considered the showdown for manufacturers and drivers. Unlike many GT events, the short 18-lap format is a single-driver race. Cars are tuned more precisely to their driver, meaning they can push them to the limit.

“The biggest manufacturers in the world are throwing their works cars and their best works drivers at it to try and win. The level of competition is incredible and it’s a must in my opinion if you’re a fan of motor sport,” says Maro.

“Having the car to themselves for that Macau GP weekend is something every driver enjoys. It allows drivers to go even more in depth than they usually do.

“If you love watching a huge challenge then you need to watch Macau. Every single corner, every single second drivers spend in the car, they need to be fully focused. You don’t have a second of time where you can relax.”

3. THE ATMOSPHERE

The lights, indulgence and unique cultural history of Macau make it a tourist destination year-round. Add the drama of Grand Prix, and from the moment of arrival you feel a city building to the climax of a dramatic racing spectacle.

“Wherever you go in the city, you have that racing feeling,” says Maro.

“You arrive at the ferry terminal and you’re straight at the race track. From the moment you step off the ferry boat, you see the posters and the buses around town with the previous winners on them.

“The whole of Macau lives the race. It is a total experience. You get a chance to get up close to drivers and cars. There’s a buzz about the event that creates a special atmosphere.

“Those who have been lucky enough to go there really understand what I’m talking about and they keep coming back.

“It’s just such a magical event, and if you’re there you really feel that.”

The 63rd Macau Grand Prix runs from 17 to 20 November 2016 and includes the FIA Formula 3 Intercontinental Cup and FIA GT World Cup.