F3: Manning - money isn't everything

The TOM'S driver, who won both heats in Macau to put himself on course to land the cash prize for any driver winning all four races in Macau and Korea, would instead be happy to settle for the publicity of being double champion.

'It is a lot of money, and it would help alleviate some of the debt I've built up in the last seven years, but it is not the end of the world,' said Manning ahead of Friday's first practice session.

'At the end of the day, I am going for the wins because it would be a great achievement for me rather than for the money it would bring.

'Even if I was on the last lap of the final race, and running second close behind the leader, I wouldn't take any extra chance to win that heat. I've got to finish both races to win overall -- and that is my main aim.'

Manning has been supremely relaxed since his Macau victory and he even carried on his winning ways with victory in a skipping competition for the drivers on Wednesday night.

'I'm enjoying life at the moment,' he said. 'I've learnt how hard things can be in life and I've learnt to deal with any pressure.

'I remember in karting, Formula Vauxhall and in my early days of Formula Three that I couldn't afford to bend a front-wing -- and can you imagine how much pressure that puts on a racing driver.

'I'm really looking forward to this weekend. It's a new track for the teams and the drivers so it's going to be a lot more open than Macau -- even though I would love to maintain that kind of advantage.'

Practice gets underway on Friday, with qualifying on Saturday and the two races on Sunday.