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Three-time Formula 1 world champion Nelson Piquet's son Pedro will make his car racing debut in the New Zealand-based Toyota Racing Series in January.

The 15-year-old will contest the five-round championship with M2 Competition, which ran Nick Cassidy to last year's title alongside Macau Grand Prix winner Alex Lynn.

Piquet, the half-brother of ex-Renault F1 driver Nelson, is a race winner in international karting.

"My goal for TRS 2014 is to be competitive against the other drivers and gain more experience driving formula cars," the 15-year-old said.

"Nowhere else in the world can you do 15 races in five weeks, so the TRS is the best championship for drivers who are looking to further their knowledge and experience."

The series is a quintet of triple-headers and begins at Teretonga on January 11, ending on February 9 at Manfield Park.

The TRS has attracted several leading single-seater drivers in recent seasons, including Toro Rosso-bound Daniil Kvyat, European F3 champion Raffaele Marciello and GP2 racer Mitch Evans.

It also inspired Ferrari to launch a similar initiative in the United States in conjunction with its Young Driver Academy.