Having skirted around the edges of Formula One with Renault in his capacity of test driver, Franck Montagny finally broke into Formula One with Super Aguri in 2006. However it was a short-lived spell of just seven races with the struggling Japanese owned team and after a stint with Toyota as test driver the Frenchman turned his attention to the US racing scene.

After numerous ALMS races last year with Andretti Green Racing he has now been called up to make his IndyCar debut with the team alongside the regular quartet of drivers who have struggled this year to match the pace of the front-running Penske and Ganassi drivers.

“I am certainly looking forward to my IndyCar debut in Sonoma,” Montagny stated. “I was able to test one of the team’s IndyCars last year and very much enjoyed driving it. Being able to test the track this week will be very helpful for me to learn the circuit and prepare for the race."

This is not Montagny’s first foray into US single-seaters as he took part in the final Champ Car race with Forsythe Championship Racing last year at Long Beach and finished second.

“We have a lot of work to do to get ready, but I believe we are up to the challenge," he concluded.