Tempo will partner with Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific customer team Tempo by Absolute Racing at the 72nd Macau Grand Prix, fielding a stellar driver line-up of Porsche factory star Laurens Vanthoor and long-time Absolute Racing driver Alessio Picariello in the Macau GT Cup - FIA GT World Cup.
Belgian driver Picariello will pilot the #911 Tempo-liveried Porsche 911 GT3 R (Type 992), marking his return to the team after a strong run to fourth place in last year’s FIA GT World Cup. A trusted member of the Absolute Racing squad since 2014, Picariello has played a pivotal role in the team’s success, including campaigns in the European Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
On the other side of the garage, Vanthoor brings a glittering CV to Macau, including victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Spa, and Daytona, along with the FIA GT World Cup title in 2016. Fresh from a runner-up finish at the Suzuka 1000km with Absolute Racing, the Belgian is targeting another major success on the Guia Circuit.
Tempo, the iconic premium tissue brand with over 90 years of heritage, is proud to bring its values of strength, resilience, and care to the high-adrenaline world of motorsport. Known for its quality, attention to detail and design innovation, Tempo’s expansion into racing highlights its ambition to connect with fans across Asia who value not only speed and performance but also style and heritage.
The Macau Grand Prix remains one of the most prestigious and challenging events in world motorsport. First staged in 1954, its legendary Circuito da Guia combines high-speed corners such as Mandarin Bend with the unforgiving Melco Hairpin, offering drivers the ultimate test of precision and courage.
The FIA GT World Cup will see a two-part qualifying format, with a new ‘Super Pole’ shootout for the top ten drivers from Q1, followed by a 12-lap qualifying race and a 16-lap main event to crown the winner.
The 72nd Macau Grand Prix takes place from 13–16 November on the streets of Macau, with the FIA GT World Cup once again set to captivate a global audience. Last year’s edition attracted coverage from 220 media organisations across 44 regions, with 94 TV networks delivering 793 hours of broadcast and internet streams drawing over 7.1 million views.
Team Quotes
Ingo Matter (Team Principal of Absolute Racing)
Just as Tempo stands for quality and reliability in everyday life, motorsport represents precision, performance, and endurance under pressure. This partnership unites two worlds that share the same values: delivering excellence when it matters most. At Macau Grand Prix, one of the premier motorsport events in the world, Tempo’s branding on the Absolute Racing Porsche cars reflects its commitment to supporting everyday heroes - from the drivers who push limits on the track, to the fans who live life with energy and passion.
Alessio Picariello (No.911 Absolute Racing driver)
I’m very happy to be back with Absolute Racing and Porsche for a third consecutive year at the FIA GT World Cup in Macau. It’s always an honour to be chosen to represent the brand and the team at such an iconic event. I’m excited to return — the last two years have been solid, and although we were close to the podium last year, we definitely want more. That’s why we’re back with our package, and we’ll be giving it everything to deliver!
Laurens Vanthoor (No.992 Absolute Racing driver)
I’m really looking forward to Macau – it’s always one of my favourite races of the season. It’s one of the craziest and most exciting tracks out there. We’ve been trying to get a victory over the past couple of years, but it’s been a bit difficult. I think this year, with the dry conditions coming in, we might have a better chance. We had some good practice last year, and we can use that experience and knowledge to put together a stronger race this time. Hopefully, we can fight for the win – that’s definitely the aim for the end of the year.
Alexandre Gibot (Managing Director Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Ltd)
We’re delighted to once again be supporting Absolute Racing as they compete in the FIA GT World Cup at the Macau Grand Prix, an even the team have a long history at. The team have named an unchanged line-up of Laurens Vanthoor and Alessio Picariello, who have enjoyed great success in the Asia-Pacific region over their careers to date. We’ll look forward to working with Absolute Racing again as they aim for another strong showing.
Tempo Partners with Absolute Racing and Porsche 911 GT3 R
Since its founding in Germany in 1929, Tempo has grown into a globally recognised tissue brand, with particularly deep roots in key markets such as Europe and Hong Kong, China. For generations, Tempo has been a trusted companion in these regions, offering premium-quality products that enrich both everyday moments and significant life events. The brand has become synonymous with tasteful living, consistently delivering exceptional performance in the finest details of daily life.
Since entering mainland China in 2009, Tempo has remained true to its spirit of excellence and unwavering pursuit of quality. From the meticulous selection of virgin pulp to the continuous refinement of production processes, every Tempo product exemplifies best-in-class standards, earning widespread trust and establishing itself as the premium choice for those who value an elevated lifestyle.
For nearly a century, Tempo has stayed faithful to its founding principles, offering products and brand experiences that combine practicality with emotional resonance for discerning consumers who seek a life of quality. The brand’s philosophy aligns closely with the world of motorsport, where the racing spirit—defined by the pursuit of excellence and the drive to push boundaries—mirrors Tempo’s own DNA. On the track, every acceleration and overtaking move stems from precision and an unrelenting desire to improve. Likewise, Tempo’s century-long journey of innovation reflects its enduring commitment to perfection in every product and process.
Tempo holds great admiration for Absolute Racing’s fearless determination to push limits and continually raise the bar on track. This courageous approach strongly resonates with Tempo’s own philosophy of continuous innovation and meticulous craftsmanship within the tissue category.
Tempo extends its warmest wishes to the Absolute Racing Team for continued success and outstanding achievements in all future competitions.
