Wirdheim confident for races

Wirdheim took two wins in this year's German F3 Championship, but has never competed at the Macau showpiece event before. After outpacing Japanese hotshoe Takuma Sato to take pole, the Swede is confident he can maintain his front-running pace throughout Sunday's two 15-lap races.

"I think it is looking good as we have been quite consistent in practice," he said. "I'm used to experienced competitors because I raced in the German F3 Championship this year, which is really tough."

Prost Grand Prix test driver Jonathan Cochet has made a return to Formula 3 for this weekend's event after winning the French championship last year. The Frenchman qualified third behind Sato after competing in just a handful of International Formula 3000 races this year.

"The first thing I must say is that for me it is important to race again after a disappointing season and I am quite happy to be third," said Cochet. "On Sunday it is important to be on the track at the end of the first race, but you have to attack there, and attack even more in the second race."