Changes to domestic engine regulations will make the Japanese entrants super-competitive at the inaugural FIA F3 World Cup on the Guia Circuit on 19-20 November.

With the closely contested All Japan F3 Championship concluded, the sereis' top three drivers will go to Macau along with other leading 2016 contenders.

General secretary of the Japan Formula 3 Association Tomonori Taguchi said the teams would benefit from the almost two-month gap between the end of the season and the FIA F3 World Cup to prepare their cars.

“Japan F3 has been the most closely fought in several years with five different race winners in the first five rounds,” Mr Taguchi said.

“In many respects our drivers have never been better prepared to take on Macau.

“Macau is a very big event. It is an opportunity for our young drivers to showcase themselves.”

It will be eight years since Keisuke Kunimoto (Dallara F308 Toyota-TOMS) last won for Japan in Macau and the 15th anniversary of Takuma Sato’s victory for Carlin Motor Sport in the Dallara-Mugen Honda.

Upgraded Japanese regulations allowed the VW-powered cars to enter the domestic series for the first time this year, with spectacular results.

Toyota TOM’s entrant Kenta Yamashita, 21, who sealed the All Japan F3 title at the season finale, will resume competition against main rival British B-Max driver Jann Mardenborough on the streets of Macau. While Yamashita has contested the historic event twice before, it will be a first experience for Mardenborough.

“Macau is one of the most difficult tracks for drivers who are used to the circuits of the All Japan F3 series,” Mr Taguchi said.

“It’s difficult to train to race there. The demands of the very long, fast street circuit are so different to the wide, well-surfaced tracks of Japan.

“All our drivers are aware of the legacy of race winners Sato and Kunimoto and they know they will be fighting with the top class F3 drivers of the world.”