Heidfeld, 20, who hopes to fly back to Germany today or tomorrow, said at his hospital bed overlooking the Guia circuit: 'I am completely gutted that I cannot compete because this was probably the last chance for me in Macau.

'I don't know how my illness arose. It started in Alsaette [Spain] last week and continued in Germany.

'I thought I would feel better coming to Macau, but it got worse.

'I can't eat, I have headaches and a fever and cramps all over. I feel terrible and I'm really disappointed because Macau is my favourite circuit and I really wanted to win this one. Now it's finished for me.' Heidfeld's illness has not been diagnosed despite X-rays and other tests. 'The doctors are not sure what I am suffering from,' he said. 'It could be food poisoning, I don't know for sure.

'I must return to Monchengladbach because I have further testing next week and I must be fit.' It will be Angelelli's eighth start in Macau and he was delighted to be competing rather than spectating.

'I brought my helmet and overalls just in case . . . it was just going to be a holiday for me,' the Italian, second in last year's F3 race, said.

Heidfeld said it was odd watching his BSR Team Dallara-Opel go round the circuit. 'I can watch all the practice from my window . . . I should be in it,' he said.

Heidfeld was a clear winner in this year's strong German F3 championship. And he was one of the early favourites for a podium finish on Sunday after winning the first leg of last year's race before spinning in the second.

Motorsport observers are predicting a bright future for the young German who is expected to follow compatriots Michael and Ralf Schumacher into Formula One.

His Macau performance last year helped secure backing from Mercedes Benz which led to his selection as test driver for the West McLaren Mercedes Formula One team.

Heidfeld seized the German Formula Three title after a mid-season lapse saw him 37 points adrift of 18-year-old newcomer Timo Scheider.

He clinched the title with 224 points - 26 points ahead of Scheider.

The German star favours Dutchman Tom Coronel, the winner of this year's Japanese Formula Three series, as a top chance in the race.

'I haven't seen the times, but Coronel has a chance and so does Max Angelelli, who is a veteran on this circuit,' Heidfeld said.

'Ralph Firman will be there and all the French drivers have a chance as well because they are fast.' Yesterday's opening qualifying session was staged in brilliant sunshine and a number of the competitors were in sparkling form. Swiss Andreas Hoffman set the early pace for tomorrow's Macau Motor Cycle Grand Prix astride his Kawasaki 750cc with the quickest lap of 2:38.393.

He was closely followed by Briton Michael Rutter on a Honda 500cc who clocked 2:39.246, well clear of third-placed David Goodley of Britain aboard a Kawasaki 750cc who could only manage a best of 2:41.879.

Last year's winner, Phillip McCallen riding a Yamaha 500cc stopped on San Francisco Hill with an ignition problem. He must rely on posting a quick time in today's session.