Muniz cans Oz F3 debut.

American actor-cum-racer Frankie Muniz will not be on the Australian F3 grid at next month's grand prix meeting in Melbourne, despite speculation to the contrary.

The rumours had some basis in as far as Team BRM has confirmed that it was talking to the Malcolm in the Middle star about a possible one-off appearance, but the proximity of the final Champ Car Atlantic test to the Albert Park F1 event eventually scuppered any possibility of a tie-up.

Formula 3 Australia made the announcement on behalf of Team BRM, confirming that travelling time between his United States base and Australia had also made crucial pre-event testing impossible for Muniz prior to the grand prix weekend. As a result, the driver and US team boss and Eric Jensen decided to no longer pursue the Australian option.

"Eric Jensen from Jensen Motorsport contacted us on behalf of Frankie with a view to having him contest the F3 support races at Albert Park, to help him gain experience in different cars and at different tracks as he works towards a professional racing career," Team BRM owner Bronte Rundle said, "Team BRM and Formula 3 Australia were very keen to have him compete at the Australian Grand Prix and we worked hard to make it happen. Unfortunately, the limited time between him arriving in Australia and the grand prix itself meant that it was impossible to get Frankie in a car to test before the meeting, which would have limited his time to adapt to driving the different car and working with a different team.

"We're disappointed that he isn't coming but, at the same time, it is a great sign that the Kumho Tyres Australian F3 Championship continues to be internationally recognised as a key place to learn the craft of open-wheel racing. The additional international interest in the category this year confirms that. We wish Frankie and Jensen Motorsport all the best for the year ahead in the Champ Car Atlantic Championship and hope that the schedule works out for them to race here in Australia next year."