In a recent interview he stated, “Games are very different from the real world. I quite enjoy playing on the PC or Playstation but that is just for fun. If you want to practise or learn a track, you have to go the circuit and drive it, even in a road car, and one lap of the circuit is worth more than 100 hours of playing it on a game”

So in an effort to learn one of those circuits, Interlagos, Sato will make one last appearance behind the wheel of a Formula 3 car this week. He is eager to make the most of an opportunity to get a feel for the hills and bumpy surface of the Brazilian circuit.

The Japanese driver - who dominated this year's British F3 Championship, the Marlboro Masters and Macau Grand Prix - will today (Tuesday) start a two day test with Brazilian F3 team Cesario Formula Dallara. He will also have the advantage of being looked after by his regular engineer from his championship winning Carlin Motorsport team, Anthony Hieatt.

Sato's experience of the Sao Paulo venue should stand him in good stead for his first Brazilian Grand Prix on March 31 next year.