Pizzonia rules out Macau.

New British Formula Three Champion, Antonio Pizzonia, will not be contesting the Macau and South Korea races, as he concentrates instead on moving up the motor sport ladder.

The twenty-year-old Brazilian had been testing for the Benetton Formula One team throughout his championship season, but has now arranged a test next month with Champ Car team Mo Nunn Racing - clashing with the Far East Formula Three races.

The official Manor Motorsport website (www.manormotorsport.com) reports that there is only a remote chance of the test leading to a drive with the team, who at present run one car for Tony Kanaan, but Pizzonia will doubtless be pleased to have been noticed by Nunn, who helped bring Champ Car success to the likes of Juan-Pablo Montoya and Jimmy Vasser while working for Chip Ganassi.

Whatever the outcome of the test, Pizzonia is aiming to increase his profile in America, although his ultimate goal remains Formula One.

Meanwhile Manor have announced that local driver Lei Kit Meng will partner Andy Priaulx for the two end of season races, the Chinese national having previously competed for Carlin Motorsport in the UK.

The signing will give the fans the chance to support a top local driver - which Manor hope will in turn improve the sports exposure in the region.

In other news Priaulx's aim of securing a full time drive with Manor Motorsport in next seasons British Formula Three Championship, could have moved a step closer with the apparent signing of Formula Renault Champion Kimi Raikkonen by the Sauber Formula One Team.