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A Formula 1-style virtual safety car could be used for the first time in Formula 3 in next week's Macau Grand Prix.

Provision for the VSC has been written into the Macau sporting regulations, as it was for the Masters of F3 at Zandvoort in September, where both races ran under green from start to finish.

Autosport also understands that the VSC has been approved by the FIA Single Seater Commission for next season's F3 European Championship, although that is subject to ratification at next month's FIA World Motor Sport Council.

Macau GP coordinator Barry Bland said: "It's something that we discussed with Charlie Whiting [who is race director for the Macau GP] at the beginning of the year when we drew up the regulations.

"It's slightly different to Formula 1, because obviously the hardware is not there at the moment - for next year F3 cars will carry the hardware, similar to but simpler than F1.

"It very much depends on Charlie's thoughts whether he will use the VSC, or adopt straightforward safety-car procedures."

The VSC would not only save a lot of time on a circuit where the laptime is very long, but Bland also explained that it will prove beneficial as there are numerous blind corners in Macau.

"The regulations are clear that the drivers will have to drop their speed and maintain a distance to the car in front, which will be monitored," he said.