Piquet to warm up with 1000 miles.

Nelson Piquet Jr will augment his A1 Grand Prix and GP2 season preparations by contesting the rejuvenated Mil Milhas Brasil 2006 with his father, Nelson Sr.

The two Brazilians will join forces with GT ace Christophe Bouchut and Indy 500 winner H?lio Castroneves to share a Cirtek-run Aston Martin DBR9 in the GTP1 category, racing against an increasingly all-star line-up. The 1000-mile event, which takes place at the 4.309km Interlagos circuit in S?o Paulo and celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, has also picked up entries from the likes of FIA GT racewinner Pedro Lamy and 2004 IRL king Tony Kanaan.

"I think it will be a very challenging race because there are some fantastic cars and a lot of very good drivers," Nelsinho admitted, "But I have a great team too. My father doesn't need to be introduced, Christophe won the FIA GT championship and 'Helinho' is twice champion of the Indianapolis 500. I am sure we have a good chance of winning."

The event format sees the pole position established on Wednesday [18 January], with the rest of the grid forming after Thursday's qualifying. Saturday's race will see teams needing to complete 374 laps to reach the finish.

"It is going to be very good racing alongside Nelsinho and also H?lio and Christophe, who are all great drivers," piquet Sr concluded, "The Mil Milhas is a very traditional race in Brazilian motorsport and I'm sure it is going to be a great party."