Vettel set for World Series drive

The German, who will compete in Formula Three for the last time at this weekend's Macau Grand Prix, has made no secret of the fact that he wants to continue racing next season as well as test for the BMW-Sauber team.

But with his F1 commitments likely to make it hard to focus as much as he should on GP2, which take place on the same weekend, a World Series deal is now almost certain.

Speculation about a move has been heightened by the fact that Vettel has rejoined Carlin Motorsport for this weekend's race at Macau. Vettel drove for the team in the category this year, winning two races at Misano.

Speaking to autosport.com in Macau, Vettel said that no final decision had been taken yet about his plans but said that GP2 was looking unlikely.

"To be honest I am focused now on Macau, and we will have a decision about where I race in the next few weeks," he said. "There is the option to do the World Series with Carlin, but we will see.

"If I do F1 testing and also GP2 then there is the problem that it runs on the same weekend. It is a bit hard to focus on both, so we will have to see."

Team boss Trevor Carlin has said he is delighted to have Vettel back with his team for this weekend.

"It is brilliant because he is a proper driver," said Carlin. "He wants to come here and wants to do well. He puts pressure on us to give him a good car.

"The reason I wanted him was because I believe he is the best chance we have to win the race. So there is no pressure, at all!"

Vettel himself thinks it is too early to make any firm predictions for the weekend - especially because of the mixed weather conditions.

"The weather is bad so far so, so we have some rain," he said. "It will be very exciting to have rain in Macau, but for the weather, which way it is, I don't care. We just have to see."