Macau: British duo target victory

Green, this year's Euroseries F3 Champion, took victory in a Formula Renault race at Macau in 2002 while Watts, who enjoyed mixed fortunes with Lola in the British F3 series this year, grabbed a win in the Formula Asia event the same year.

Both men have been singled out by pre-event favourite Nelson Piquet Jr. as his key challengers for the win and, with practice due to start early on Thursday morning, they believe they can live up to the expectations.

Speaking exclusively to autosport.com, Green said: "I think this weekend is going to be really interesting. We've got Piquet, who was champion in Britain, myself, Ronnie Quintarelli who won in Japan and Richard Antinucci in the TOM's, who has been here twice before and should be really strong.

"I think it is a really, really competitive field and whoever wins is going to have to perform at his peak."

Although this weekend marks Green's first attempt at the F3 Grand Prix, he is confident that his experience in the Formula Renault race will mean he is not too far behind those rivals who have competed in the main event before.

"I do think it will have been helpful, especially because the track has not changed since I did that race," he added. "And although the F3 car is different, I think it has put me in good stead.

"This track is very long with 16 corners that all look pretty identical from the cockpit because all you can see is the yellow and black barriers. Whether I like this track or not I don't know, but I definitely respect it."

Watts, who has joined the Hitech Racing team for the Macau event, is bullish about his chances and believes that getting up to speed around the Guia circuit will not be a problem having won the Asia race in 2002 and having finished 10th in the second F3 race last year - although he was not classified in the final standings because he crashed out of the first race.

"I've got two years of experience around here, and all my circuit notes from last year, and I am really hoping that our Renault engine gives us an edge around here," Watts told autosport.com

"I think the key to the weekend will be qualifying quite high up and then just staying out of trouble in the races. I've got to stick to my gameplan, which is to have some good, clean sessions and then make sure I pull no heroics in the first race so I am well up there for the second event.

"Getting a good result around here can put you in the shop window for a good race seat next year - something that is really important for me."

Green and Watts are not the only British drivers hoping for victory this weekend. Lewis Hamilton will want to build on his promising debut in last year's event, after running as high as third last year, while Rob Austin will want to go better than his eighth overall from last year. Adam Carroll and James Rossiter are both making their first appearances at Macau.

First practice for the Macau Grand Prix takes place on Thursday morning, with the first qualifying session taking place in the afternoon.