Duval happy to be Macau favourite

The Frenchman claims that he is not upset at all about emerging as the hot tip to win, with his Mercedes-Benz powered ASM team widely regarded as the strongest outfit heading into the event.

Duval benefited from the late decision by ASM's regular driver Euroseries Formula Three Champion Lewis Hamilton to pull out of the Macau event and had no hesitation in making the switch from the Signature outfit that he raced for this season.

And with ASM dominant in the Euroseries, Duval knows that he has a great chance for victory on what will be his second visit to Macau.

"This is a great opportunity for me and I am happy to be favourite," Duval told autosport.com. "The ASM team are really good, the Mercedes-Benz engine has been better than the Opel this year and I am really looking forward to it.

"I think it's important for me to do a good race because this is F3's equivalent of the football World Cup."

Although pre-event predictions are that Mercedes-Benz powered teams will have the edge in Macau, Duval believes that other teams will have a chance of impressing too.

And alongside fellow Mercedes-Benz-powered driver Lucas di Grassi, who drives for Manor Motorsport, Duval believes that World Series by Renault champion Robert Kubica will be a tough challenger on his return to F3 with Carlin Motorsport.

"I think Kubica and di Grassi are the biggest threats," added Duval. "But I still find it a little strange that I am favourite. When I was with Signature, people did not think I had a good chance of victory, but now I am with ASM suddenly people are talking a lot about me - and I am exactly the same driver.

"I know I need to do a good job though. If I can get pole and win both races I will be very happy."